Childminder in Lancashire

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children are very happy and settled in the calm and organised environment. They form secure attachments with the childminder, who is passionate about providing high-quality care. Children confidently involve the childminder in their games as they play with, and alongside, their friends. The childminder has high expectations for all children. She encourages them to make choices and to follow their own interests. As a result, children are enthusiastic and motivated to learn. The childminder engages children in lively discussions. They discuss a trip to the local farm. Children demonstrate their recent learning and comment that a cow says 'moo'. Children enjoy listening to songs and nursery rhymes. This helps children extend their vocabulary.

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The provision is good

Behaviour is very good. Children show genuine care and affection for their friends and eagerly greet each other on arrival. When children achieve something, such as building a tower, their friends are excited and celebrate with them. The childminder encourages children to recognise their own achievements. The consistent use of praise results in children who clearly blossom and thrive in the care of the nurturing childminder. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the childminder has noticed that children struggled with their social skills. She has helped children to learn how to act when on trips out in the community. As a result, children are now confident and happy in social situations.

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need to do better?

n The childminder provides children with a curriculum which reflects their interests and builds on what they already know and can do. She uses assessment to effectively identify what children need to learn next. As a result, children make good progress from their starting points. n The childminder works closely with a network of local childminders. Together, they attend playgroups and visit parks. These experiences help children to develop their social skills and self-confidence. The childminder has undertaken all of the statutory training required. However, further training is not yet focused on how to extend her knowledge or enhance her already good teaching skills even further. n Children benefit greatly from trips out. They enjoy feeding the animals at a farm and learning about nature as they visit the woods. These meaningful activities help children to learn about the local community. However, opportunities for

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need to do better?

children to learn about cultural differences that exist in the area are not as well developed. n Children develop their physical skills and independence. They eagerly attend to some of their care needs. For example, children take off their own shoes and wipe their own noses. Outdoors, children strengthen their bodies as they crawl,

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need to do better?

18 October 2022 balance and climb. They further develop their small muscle by digging in soil and placing rocks into pans. These activities help children develop the strength in their bodies needed for when they start school. n Children feel secure in the childminder's home. They display their artwork proudly on the walls. Children show delight as they turn the pages of a scrapbook; this is full of photos of their experiences when they are with the childminder. Children feel valued and develop a sense of belonging. n Children are offered a range of healthy foods. For instance, they enjoy fruit for snack and talk about how drinking water helps to keep them healthy. This supports children to develop positive attitudes to their physical health from an early age. n Children learn how to use tools safely in a weekly outdoor learning session. They are keen to demonstrate their skills as they chop up play dough 'worms' with a

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need to do better?

knife. Children handle tools safely and follow the childminder's instructions. This helps children develop an understanding of how to keep themselves safe. n Parents appreciate the care provided by the childminder. They describe how she is always friendly and approachable. They are particularly pleased with the advice they receive on helping children to learn at home. As a result, parents are able to implement a consistent approach in supporting children to learn.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. She fully understands the procedures to follow, and the appropriate agencies to contact, should there be any concerns about a child's safety or well-being. The childminder completes training to support her role and ensures that her knowledge remains up to date. With a network of local childminders, the childminder makes arrangements to test out her safeguarding knowledge through quizzes and scenarios. The childminder's home is well organised and is a safe environment in which children can play and explore. This helps to keep children safe.

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should:

n enhance professional development to focus on improving the teaching, skills and knowledge to the highest level n provide children with more opportunities to learn about differences between themselves and others in society, to strengthen their awareness of diversity.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY491682 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10236697 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 9 Date of previous inspection 1 February 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015. She lives in the Croston area of Leyland, Lancashire. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider 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 provider. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided indoors and outdoors. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about the intentions for children's learning. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures that it is safe and suitable. n Parents and children shared their views on the setting.

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Inspection activities

18 October 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 October 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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