Early years · Childminder inspection (EIF)
Childminder in Wirral
Summary
What we read, and from where
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- Inspection date verified
29 Sept 2022
- Inspectors verified
Michelle Highcock
- Behaviour and attitudes verified
Good
- Leadership and management verified
Good
- Overall effectiveness verified
Good
- Personal development verified
Good
- Previous overall verified
Requires improvement
- Quality of education verified
Good
- Name on report verified
Childminder report
- URN verified
306236
Deep dive
What this report says
In plain English
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Grade profile
Hollow rings show the previous inspection, 2019.
- OverallGood
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Leadership and managementGood
- Personal developmentGood
- Quality of educationGood
79% of comparable inspections in the last three years were graded Good (17,905 inspections).
Tone of the report
How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.
In line with other reports of this type graded Good.
Markers show where typical reports of each grade sit.
How the report reads, start to finish
Every paragraph in order, sized by length. Tap one to see it on the page.
Strengths
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Concerns
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No strong criticism found.
Next steps
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What the report dwells on
Topics by how often they come up, coloured by how they are described. Open one for an example.
Parents & families4
“Parents are happy with the care their children receive.” p.2Teaching & assessment3
“Daily risk assessments ensure the premises are safe and secure.” p.3Communication & language2
“29 September 2022 They talk with each other about some of their memories and experiences.” p.2
Anatomy of the report
How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.
- Pages
- 6
- Words of findings
- 798
- about usual (typical 764)
- Reading level
- Fairly hard
- Flesch 56, typical 52
- Average sentence
- 12 words
- Next steps
- 1
- typical 2
- Hedged sentences
- 5%
- “some”, “not always”, “most”…
Where the words go
Full report text
Overall effectiveness Good
The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Requires improvement
p.1
The provision is good
Children flourish in the care of this childminder, who clearly knows them well. She interacts with the children, responding to their individual needs and wants. Children access a wealth of experiences. They visit the farm, aquarium, and go to feed the ducks at the local park. This extends their knowledge of the wider world. They attend toddler groups with other children to encourage their social skills. Children access a range of activities, which encourage their developing skills. Children enjoy cosy time listening to stories and sharing books. The childminder models new ideas and encourages them to try for themselves. For example, young children learn to manipulate play dough, using cutters to make marks.
p.2
The provision is good
The childminder takes note of the babies' non-verbal gestures. She offers encouraging nods and verbal praise, helping them to achieve their goal. For example, she encourages babies to become more independent in their walking. Consequently, children feel reassured to take risks in their play and to try new things. Parents are happy with the care their children receive. The childminder is supportive, and excellent relationships develop over time. This starts before the children first attend and continues throughout their journey. Regular meetings and progress updates ensure children make continued progress.
p.2
need to do better?
n Since the previous inspection, the childminder has made improvements to her practice. She has taken steps to improve her understanding of child development and assessment. She observes children's learning, then plans activities which support the next steps in their learning. n The childminder has a clear curriculum intent which supports children's preferred styles of learning. For example, children enjoy playing and experimenting with toys that have wheels and that spin. This allows them the opportunity to enhance and extend their interest and development. n The childminder observes the children through play and in their interactions with others. She gathers information from parents and uses this to inform her planning. For example, she finds out what their favourite things are at home. This input ensures each child makes the best progress given their starting points. n The childminder follows the interests of the children. She plans activities which
p.2
need to do better?
support the learning of individual children. Yet, she appreciates that the children may want to explore different things. Children are free to explore the well- resourced environment. As such, children feel comfortable in her presence. They feel confident to explore what they want to, which allows them to take responsibility for their own learning. n The childminder displays photos of visits they have been on in the local area.
p.2
need to do better?
29 September 2022 They talk with each other about some of their memories and experiences. This enables the children to revisit their learning of the world around them. n The childminder helps children prepare for their move to school. She supports them to develop their independence skills. The childminder guides children who want to learn how to use pencils and recognise their own name. This helps to prepare children for the next stage in their learning. n Partnerships with parents are effective. The childminder offers thorough settling- in arrangements. This provides the opportunity for them to discuss their child's needs and next steps. Consequently, children are well prepared for the transition. n The childminder furthers her own professional development by accessing training online. She identifies where she needs extra support. For example, attending specific training on baby's development. She has put into practice
p.2
need to do better?
what she has learned through more sensory activities. As such, she is enhancing the provision for babies and toddlers. n By monitoring children's progress, the childminder can identify gaps in their learning. This early identification means that referrals for support are quick and effective. Therefore, children get the input they need from other professionals, such as speech therapists. n The childminder maintains the required documentation. However, she does not always gather thorough information regarding others who are involved in the care of children. Therefore, at times, this prevents her from establishing effective partnerships from the start and providing the highest levels of continuity of care for children.
p.3
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
p.3
Safeguarding
The childminder attends regular training and keeps up to date with the latest guidance. She knows the signs and symptoms to be aware of, and who to contact if she has any concerns about a child. She promotes a culture of hygiene within the setting, such as regular handwashing. She cleans the equipment and toys weekly and ensures that they are in good working order. The childminder monitors who is able to collect the children. She requests that parents inform her if someone other than themselves are collecting. Daily risk assessments ensure the premises are safe and secure.
p.3
should:
n strengthen systems for gathering thorough information regarding others who are involved in the care of children to establish effective partnerships from the start and provide the highest levels of continuity of care for children.
p.3
Setting details
Unique reference number 306236 Local authority Wirral Inspection number 10118384 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 4 Date of previous inspection 17 July 2019
p.4
Information about this early years setting
The childminder registered in 1994 and lives in the Upton area of Wirral. She operates Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 5.30pm, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an early years qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education places for three-year-old children.
p.4
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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure those are safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their EYFS curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, both indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff/the childminder and children. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of
p.5
Inspection activities
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.
p.5
Inspection activities
29 September 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.
p.5
Inspection activities
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p.6
Inspection activities
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p.6
Inspection activities
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p.6
Inspection activities
T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted
p.6
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