Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children have an exceptionally positive relationship with the childminder and her assistant. They arrive happily and settle immediately. Children are reassured by the comfortable and familiar surroundings as they hang their coats on their pegs and eagerly access the age-appropriate resources. They are captivated as they touch the frost in the garden and crunch it under their feet. Children give their friends a spade to scrape the frost and transport it into containers. They engage in imaginative play as they pretend to cook and make tea in the outdoor playhouse. Children build supportive relationships with their peers.

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The provision is good

The childminder is passionate about taking children on daily outings. For example, children use their core muscles as they run and explore parks. They connect with nature as they dig soil and pick pumpkins. Children regularly attend singing and rhyme sessions. Children who are not yet talking learn to communicate their needs with sign language. Children visit sensory play areas, where they develop their sensory skills, improve their physical coordination, and stimulate their imagination.

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The provision is good

The childminder knows each child well and designs engaging activities for them. For example, children develop their vocabulary as they play 'shop' with real food. They develop their small muscles as they use brushes to paint pictures and hold forks to pick up their food. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make good progress from their starting points.

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need to do better?

n The childminder and her assistant engage children in conversation and skilfully extend their communication and vocabulary. For example, when painting, colours are described as 'dark'. Children are challenged to think about whether a potato is baked. Children use emotional literacy as they tell the inspector that they are happy and show her pictures that demonstrate emotions. All children, including those who speak English as an additional language, learn new words and build on their existing knowledge. n Children are independent and try to dress themselves and put their shoes on. They wash their own hands and are reminded to cover their mouth when coughing. Children use good manners, saying thank you to adults and their peers during play and at mealtimes. Children learn good hygiene practices and are beginning to be independent in managing their own needs. n The childminder provides children with healthy home-cooked food. Children

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need to do better?

choose from a selection of fresh fruits at snack time. However, the childminder does not always support children to learn the benefits of healthy eating. Therefore, children do not always learn how to live healthy lifestyles to the highest level.

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need to do better?

8 February 2023 n Children with SEND are wonderfully supported. The childminder has attended specialised training to enhance her knowledge of supporting children with complex needs. Children are reassured in the tranquil environment the childminder has created. For example, they are soothed by sensory lighting and predictable routines. The childminder works closely with parents and other professionals to ensure that children with SEND receive opportunities and targeted support that helps them make good progress from their starting points. n Parents speak highly of this childminder. They say that children are happy and safe in her care. She informs parents of children's learning and the new skills that they are developing. This helps parents to support learning at home. n The childminder has cultivated an inclusive environment that promotes a respectful mindset towards others. For example, children play with dolls that

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need to do better?

have been adapted to represent additional needs. They learn about Chinese New Year and mental health. Children show empathy towards each other and treat their peers with kindness, regardless of their differences. They share resources and take turns. Children develop positive attitudes and learn to value and respect differences in people and their cultures. n The childminder is reflective of her practice and regularly attends professional development opportunities to improve her knowledge of how children learn. However, she has not focused her professional development sharply enough to enhance her understanding of clear and sequenced learning intentions, to raise the quality of teaching to the highest level.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant have a good understanding of their role and responsibility to protect children and keep them safe. They are aware of signs and symptoms that a child is at potential risk of harm and know how to report any concerns to the appropriate authorities. The childminder has current safeguarding training and keeps her knowledge up to date through regular training. She regularly carries out risk assessments to ensure that the environment is safe and secure for children. Children are always supervised, and they learn to tell the childminder before they play hide and seek to ensure that they are safe.

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should:

n target professional training more sharply to develop clear and sequenced learning intentions that will raise the quality of teaching to the highest level n support children to learn about the benefits of eating healthy food as part of a healthy lifestyle.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2611416 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 10263965 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 4 Number of children on roll 16 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2020 and lives in Chester. She operates all year round, from 8am 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 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 showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure they are safe and suitable. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about their intentions for children's learning. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children. n The childminder and inspector discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact that this had on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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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.

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Inspection activities

8 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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