Foran, Linda

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

The passionate and enthusiastic childminder creates an extremely nurturing environment for children. Children benefit from the rich and ambitious curriculum. The childminder consistently provides an inspiring and varied selection of well- organised activities. This ensures that children develop a passion for lifelong learning. Children help to grow a range of herbs in the garden. They use scissors to independently cut thyme and rosemary. Children use the scented herbs to make a range of recipes in the outdoor kitchen. They are excited to explore. Children develop excellent independence and confidence and very quickly learn new skills. They pick beetroot in the childminder's garden. Children closely observe the features of the vegetable. The childminder teaches children about the parts of the plant, such as the roots. This helps children learn about the wider world.

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The provision is outstanding

Children flourish in the care of this exceptional childminder. They show high levels of curiosity and a thirst to learn at every opportunity. Children excitedly observe the changes to fruit during an experiment. They discuss how and why the banana is changing colour. The childminder consistently encourages children to discuss their ideas with the group. She listens attentively to them. This helps to increase children's self-worth and self-esteem.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is exemplary. The childminder is an outstanding role model. She treats children with the greatest respect. Children thoroughly enjoy spending time with the childminder. They have formed extremely positive relationships with the childminder and their peers. Older children play exceptionally well with younger children. They take turns and share all of the resources.

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need to do better?

n Children have excellent listening and attention skills. They sit for an extended length of time as they wash and chop their own strawberries and pineapple. Children carefully thread the fruit onto skewers to make their own fruit kebabs. This helps to strengthen their small-muscle movements and prepare them for activities such as writing. n The childminder supports children's language development through a rich learning environment inside and outdoors. She uses stories, songs and props to ignite children's love of language. Children giggle with glee as they march, jump and skip to action songs. They use puppets to help to retell their favourite stories. Children's communication and language are promoted exceptionally well. n Partnerships with parents are incredibly strong. They are actively involved with every aspect of children's development. The childminder provides extensive activities for parents to continue children's learning at home. She continuously

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need to do better?

shares children's next steps in learning with parents. The childminder sends a

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need to do better?

18 August 2022 book bag home each month with a range of activities which are focused on children's next steps. This helps parents to target what children need to learn next to be highly successful in their learning. The childminder sends story sacks home every month for children to share their favourite stories with their parents. Parents speak about the fantastic progress children have made. n The childminder has forged positive relationships with other settings children attend. She sends detailed transition documents and learning and development updates to other settings. There is a regular two-way flow of communication with other settings children attend. This ensures continuity in children's learning and provides the best outcomes for children. n The childminder constantly assesses her provision. She regularly attends training to enhance her knowledge and skills even further. This ensures that children

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need to do better?

remain inspired by the learning environment. n The childminder teaches children about the benefits of having a healthy lifestyle. She provides children with healthy snacks and meals. The childminder talks to children about why food is good for our bodies. During the inspection, children pour their own glasses of milk. They say that they drink milk to make their bones strong. Children's independence skills are superbly promoted. n The childminder ensures that children have access to the outdoors each day. She takes children on a wide variety of trips, such as to the beach, woodlands, local parks and museums. Children visit the library once a fortnight and learn how to borrow books. This helps them to learn more about the world around them. n Children demonstrate great aptitude in solving simple mathematical problems. They are motivated and eager to count. The childminder encourages children to count out how many different pieces of fruit they have altogether at snack time.

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need to do better?

She introduces mathematical language and concepts, such as simple subtraction, through skilful questioning. For example, the childminder encourages children to work out how many objects they would have if she took one away. Children enjoy making their own score cards during a music activity. The childminder encourages children to record their own points. Children count how many points they have each and how many they have altogether on their score cards. Children's mathematical skills are promoted excellently.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder is very familiar with the procedures to follow in the event she has a concern about a child in her care. She has a very good understanding of how to keep children safe. The childminder keeps her child protection training up to date. She has a strong understanding of the signs and symptoms that may indicate that a child is more vulnerable to risk of abuse. The childminder understands her duty to be vigilant to possible indicators that a child or family may be at risk of being drawn into extremist behaviours. She teaches children about road safety when they go on daily walks and trips out.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 303333 Local authority Halton Inspection number 10128946 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 8 Date of previous inspection 11 May 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2000 and lives in Runcorn. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She works with an assistant.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the setting. n The childminder and the inspector had a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children and evaluated the impact on children's learning. n Parents' written views were taken account of by the inspector. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection.

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Inspection activities

18 August 2022 We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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Inspection activities

18 August 2022 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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