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 enjoy attending this warm and welcoming setting. They continuously demonstrate that they feel happy, safe and secure in the childminder's care. The childminder is patient and caring. She demonstrates polite and encouraging behaviour, which helps children to develop high levels of confidence and self- esteem. Children receive cuddles and reassurance when needed and the childminder continuously praises children for their efforts. For example, children are celebrated with 'star of the week' if they have shown kindness to their friends or have been helpful. Children show a strong sense of belonging. For example, they eagerly look for their picture or name to register themselves on arrival. They proudly share with the inspector their artwork that has been thoughtfully displayed around the childminder's home.

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The provision is good

The childminder has high expectations of children. She gently reminds children what is expected of them, such as talking to children about the importance of sharing and taking turns. Children behave well for their age. They demonstrate a strong understanding of routine as they help to tidy away toys and resources before moving on to the next activity. Older children show kindness and concern for one another. They relish the responsibility of buttering toast for their friends and ensuring everyone has a drink.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is a qualified and experienced practitioner. She works hard with her co-childminder to ensure that children receive a high level of care and education. The childminder gathers important information from parents and uses this to inform the planning of her activities. She carefully considers children's stages of development and their emerging interests. She ensures that activities support children to make good progress in their learning. n Children enjoy exploring during sensory activities. For example, the childminder provides children with dough and encourages them to use tools, such as rolling pins. Young children develop their fine motor skills as they manipulate and mould the dough. The childminder recognises the importance of such activities in strengthening children's muscles in readiness for writing. Older children talk about the dough being 'sticky'. They recall previous learning and politely ask the

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need to do better?

childminder to provide flour. n In the main, the childminder supports children's emerging communication and language skills well. During activities, she narrates children's play, which helps to give meaning to what they are doing. Furthermore, this ensures children hear a rich variety of vocabulary. The childminder is playful in her approach. She asks children questions and gives them time to think and respond, listening attentively to their ideas and suggestions. However, during some literacy

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need to do better?

11 January 2023 activities, the childminder does not correctly model the sounds that letters make in words. n Overall, there are good opportunities that support children to manage their self- care skills. For example, children clean their hands before mealtimes and manage their toileting needs. However, in her willingness to help children, the kind and nurturing childminder sometimes offers her help too quickly, rather than encouraging children to have a go at tasks for themselves. For example, at snack time, the childminder provides children with chopped fruit and opens packets and containers on behalf of the children. This means that children have less opportunity to consistently develop their independence skills. n Children learn about the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. The childminder ensures that children have healthy and nutritious snacks. Children participate in regular PE sessions. They learn to move and control their bodies,

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need to do better?

as they hop, jump, twist and stretch. The childminder supports children to talk about their emotions. Special stories help children to understand and regulate their feelings, which equips them with essential skills for later life. n The childminder has strong and respectful partnerships with parents, who speak very highly of her. Parents appreciate the 'professional, friendly and family orientated' environment. They feel well informed about all aspects of the childminder's provision and comment on the progress that their children have made since attending.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder understands her role in protecting children from harm. She has a strong awareness of child protection issues, including allegations made against her and how to report concerns about a child's welfare or the practise of her co- childminder. The childminder completes regular safeguarding training to ensure that her knowledge and understanding remains up to date. The childminder's home is well maintained and she carries out regular checks to minimise any potential hazards. For example, the childminder completes a thorough risk assessment given that she has a family pet. This helps to ensure that children are able to play in a safe and secure environment.

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should:

n improve knowledge of how to pronounce letter sounds correctly to further support children's emerging communication and language skills n strengthen opportunities for children to complete tasks independently, so that they can further develop essential skills needed for future learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY488348 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10260157 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 5 Date of previous inspection 22 June 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Wesham, Preston. She operates all year round from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday and until 4pm on Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant qualification at level 4 and works with a co-childminder. She 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 childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure they are safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector took account of the written views of parents.

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Inspection activities

11 January 2023 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

11 January 2023 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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