Childminder in Leicestershire

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 quickly settle at the beginning of the day as they join in with their friends and sing the 'good morning' song. The caring childminder and her assistants reassure babies with lots of cuddles. Children are confident to speak to visitors, demonstrating they feel safe and secure. They practise their small-muscle skills as the childminder helps them to scoop and pour lentils. Children roll a ball in the garden and cheer with delight as they knock down skittles. The childminder's assistant shouts, 'three, two, one, go'. Children learn about the world around them as they enjoy walks in the local forest. The childminder encourages them to smell the scent of leaves as she talks about the different trees. Children say, 'The tree is crying,' as they watch leaves fall. They jump in puddles, find rocks to drop into the muddy water and smile as they make a splash.

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The provision is good

Children behave well and listen to instructions. For example, the childminder asks children to hold hands while walking. They listen and walk carefully in a group of three. Children are learning to make healthy choices. Older children tell the childminder that they have brought juice in their drinks bottle and that this is not healthy. Children happily empty the juice away and refill their bottles with water.

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need to do better?

n The childminder supports children with pre-reading and early mathematics skills. For example, she helps children to recognise letters from their names on a street sign, and the children point to the letters and say the sounds. Children find flowers while on a walk and match them to a picture card, saying, 'They are pink flowers.' The childminder helps the children to count the flowers to 10 and beyond. n Children have daily opportunities to be outside in the fresh air. The childminder provides activities for them to practise their small-muscle skills and coordination. For example, children squirt water from a bottle sprayer to clean the windows, play bat and ball in the garden and scoop up stones. However, sometimes, children become upset as they wait for a long time for everyone to get ready to go out. n The childminder and her assistants support children to understand their feelings and how to behave. For example, children listen to the assistants' instructions to

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need to do better?

sit on the mat for circle time. The assistant talks about feelings and shows children pictures of happy and sad faces. The children talk about how they could help someone who is sad. Children show an understanding of emotions as they say, 'They want their mummy,' and 'They might be worried.' n The childminder and her assistants plan activities for children to support learning about healthy lifestyles. For example, they teach children about healthy food as children add bananas, berries and yoghurt to a blender to make fruit smoothies.

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need to do better?

20 March 2023 The childminder's assistant talks about how eating good food will make them strong, run faster and feel good inside. She asks, 'Did we add sugar?' The children reply with 'no'. They have a back-and-forth conversation with the assistant about healthy eating. However, babies are not always supported in the same way. They are sat in highchairs to play, or adults carry them for extended periods of time during play activities. Babies are not always encouraged to move around freely to explore and make independent choices. n The childminder recognises children who may need extra help and seeks advice from other professionals. She reflects on her practice and meets with other childminders to discuss ideas. The childminder has regular meetings with her assistants to discuss their practice and training needs. The assistants state they feel well supported in their role. n Parents speak of the caring, approachable assistants and the good

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need to do better?

communication from the childminder. Parents state the childminder supports them with ideas on potty training their children. The childminder obtains information from parents about children's interests at home and uses this to plan activities. For example, the childminder provides children with 'Bessie the Bear' and a book to take home to record their adventures with Bessie and add any photos. The childminder then uses these records to further children's discussions.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder provides a safe and clean environment for children to play in. She knows her obligations to keep children safe, including contacting families if children are absent. The childminder and her assistants know how to identify the signs and symptoms of abuse. They know the action to take if they have a concern about a child's welfare, including if they are worried that children are being exposed to radical or extremist views. The childminder talks to the children about road safety when out on walks, and she encourages them to come together if a dog is walking past. The childminder attends training courses to update her safeguarding knowledge.

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should:

n improve the organisation of transition times to ensure children are not kept waiting for extended periods of time n develop the planning and provision for babies to ensure it is focused more sharply to enable them to explore, make choices and engage further in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2605703 Local authority Leicestershire Inspection number 10276085 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 9 Number of children on roll 17 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2021 and lives in Loughborough. She opens Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. She works with two assistants.

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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 childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The inspector viewed the home and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The childminder joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about her curriculum and what she wants the children to learn. n The inspector spoke with the childminder about the leadership and management of the setting. 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 observed the interactions between the childminder, her assistants and the children. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation.

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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

20 March 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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