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

The childminder has created a friendly environment with a strong family atmosphere. Children have built warm attachments with the childminder. They happily choose the activities they would like to do, freely share their opinions and make their own decisions. Children demonstrate that they are happy and feel safe.

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The provision is good

Children's behaviour is very good. They listen carefully to the childminder, share resources and help one another. For example, older children enjoy reading a book to younger children and help them say individual words. Younger children enthusiastically play with sand, moulding it into different shapes and talking about how it feels. Children are engaged in play and show good attitudes to learning.

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The provision is good

The childminder offers a curriculum which supports children's interests and helps them acquire new skills. She regularly observes children as they play and identifies areas where children may need some support. She skilfully identifies times when she can support children's developing skills as they play. For example, she shows children how to dip a bubble wand into bubbles and count the bubbles as they rise into the air. This supports children's early mathematical skills.

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need to do better?

n The childminder offers a range of learning opportunities for children which support all areas of learning. She gives children time to practise skills and embed their knowledge. For example, she teaches children songs and rhymes with repetitive phrases. This supports children's communication and language skills. As a result, children make good progress. n Overall, the childminder has a clear intent for children's learning and carefully plans activities which support children to develop new skills. For example, she presents resources on open trays, which allow children to see different resources and make their own selection. However, learning opportunities in the outside area are not as well considered as the indoor environment. This means that children do not have the same opportunities in the outdoors as the indoors. n Children are confident and mature communicators. Even the youngest of children are able to make their needs known. The childminder models language

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need to do better?

well, provides a running commentary and poses questions to children as they play. This promotes children's thinking and develops their language skills. n Children's overall well-being and emotional needs are well supported. The childminder knows the children well and understands their different characters and emotions. She adapts the curriculum for the benefit of children. For example, she takes children to different groups in the area, so that children can build their confidence and social skills with wider groups of children.

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need to do better?

13 February 2023 n Parent partnerships are very strong. Parents state that their children are 'developing well' and that children are always 'safe, happy, learning and having fun'. The childminder regularly communicates with parents. For example, she shares safer sleeping advice and involves parents in the processes of assessment. This helps to provide a consistency of care for children. n Partnerships with other professionals are in place. Children are supported well as they transition to school. The childminder invites school teachers into the setting to discuss children's individual needs. The childminder has made links with other local providers, who also share the care of children. This helps children to be superbly supported by all adults who provide care and learning. n Children explore the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle. They eat a range of healthy meals, which supports their dietary requirements and take part in

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need to do better?

activities to develop their physical skills. For example, children visit local woods, climb slides at the park and go on local walks. As a result, children are developing resilience and confidence. n The childminder supports children to understand the wider world. Children explore special days from different religions and cultures. For example, they have recently enjoyed finding out about Chinese New Year. This allows children to learn about people who are different from themselves and gives them an understanding of the wider world. n The childminder is extremely committed to her continued professional development. She attends network meetings, training and meets with other childminders to share good practice. The childminder welcomes the views of parents in developing her provision. This means the provision is constantly adapting to meet the needs of children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder demonstrates she has effective safeguarding knowledge. She attends regular training to refresh her knowledge. The childminder understands the procedures she would follow to help keep children safe. For example, she knows who she would contact if there was an allegation against a member of her family and understands her responsibility to be alert to any changes, which may indicate a child is at risk of harm. The childminder places the safety of children very highly at all times. For example, she only allows children supervised access to the family dogs when the dogs are calm and settled.

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should:

n strengthen the range of learning opportunities in the outdoors, so that children consistently have the opportunity to maximise their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY493240 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10236727 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 11 Date of previous inspection 21 February 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Morecambe, Lancashire. She cares for children from 8am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. The childminder is registered to provide funded education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. She holds qualified teacher status and has a qualification at level 8 in special educational needs.

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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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoyed doing while in the care of the childminder. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Parents shared their views through written comments. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

13 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

13 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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