Childminder in Halton

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

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The provision is good

Children's emotions and feelings are acknowledged by this calm, nurturing childminder. She explains to babies that the baby wipes may feel cold as she prepares to change their nappies. Older children cuddle the childminder as they talk about their friends and family. Children feel safe and their emotional well-being is greatly supported.

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The provision is good

Children are motivated and eager to learn. They benefit from a well-organised environment, where they can engage in a range of exciting activities linked to their interests. Children develop their problem-solving skills and resilience as they attempt to stack cubes. The childminder supports children by encouraging them to look at the sizes, saying 'I know you can do this'. Children make good progress and are developing positive attitudes to learning.

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The provision is good

Children eagerly follow the embedded routines and respond positively to the childminder's high expectations. They explain to visitors how to look after the younger children and enjoy helping to put the toys away at the end of an activity. Children behave well and are developing positive relationships.

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need to do better?

n The childminder knows what she wants children to learn and plans activities to support their progress. For example, she sets up resources linked to children's interest in animals. She uses this opportunity to teach children the names of animals and the sounds that they make. At a later point, she checks that children have remembered what they have been taught during a conversation about different animals. The planned curriculum is building on what children know and can do over time. n The childminder carefully considers how to use her interactions with children to build on their knowledge. For example, the childminder notices that children have put their socks over their hands. She does the same, pretending that the sock is a talking puppet. Children roar with laughter as they use their own sock puppet to respond to her. These experiences promote children's speech and language development. n Thorough transition processes enable the childminder to gain a detailed

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need to do better?

knowledge of each child before they start attending. The childminder uses this information to adapt her routine, to ensure it matches the child's routines at home. This supports children to settle quickly. n The childminder promotes children's physical development. Children demonstrate great skill in stacking objects, carefully balancing them, so that they do not fall. They carefully use a knife to cut up their fruit at snack time. Children are making good progress in their physical development.

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need to do better?

7 February 2023 n The childminder provides children with a varied and nutritious range of foods to eat. They eat fruit and have access to water throughout the day. The childminder encourages children to try new foods by involving them in the process of preparing the meal. Children are beginning to understand what it means to make healthy food and drink choices. n Overall, children are developing their interest in books. The childminder regularly takes children to visit the library and encourages them to access the books at local activity groups. However, children who show eagerness to explore books at the childminder's home are given fewer opportunities to develop this interest as age-appropriate books are not always accessible. This does not support children to develop a love of reading. n Since the last inspection, the childminder has identified some opportunities for professional development. She has liaised with other professionals and sought

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need to do better?

advice from the local authority. However, there is scope for this professional development to be more precisely targeted on raising the quality of teaching to the highest level.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Since the last inspection, the childminder has embedded the implementation of her risk assessments. She now ensures that all reasonable steps are taken to minimise children's exposure to identified hazards. For example, she demonstrates a secure understanding of the possible risks of toddlers playing close to babies. She carefully supervises and models how to play safely in these situations. The childminder ensures that she attends regular safeguarding training. She has a clear understanding of the signs and symptoms that may indicate children are at risk of abuse. The childminder is confident about the procedures to follow should she have any concerns about a child's welfare. The childminder's home is safe, secure and clean.

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should:

n help children to develop a love of reading by ensuring that age-appropriate books are accessible in the environment n focus professional development more precisely on raising the quality of teaching to the highest level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY430544 Local authority Halton Inspection number 10245626 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 20 May 2022

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2011 and lives in Runcorn, Cheshire. She operates all year round from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the childminder 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, including the aims and rationale for their curriculum. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while with the childminder. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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Inspection activities

7 February 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

7 February 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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