Childminder in Blackburn with Darwen

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 arrive eager and excited for their day at this warm and welcoming setting. They develop strong attachments and settle quickly in the care of the childminder and her assistants, who greet them with hugs. Children join in with the welcome song before going to play. They confidently navigate around the setting with ease and choose from a vast range of resources. Children understand the expectations of the childminder and behave well. They have good manners and are kind to their friends. Children play alongside each other sharing and taking turns. For example, children select coloured magnets and persevere when building structures together. Older children guide younger children who need a little bit of help. As a result, children have positive attitudes to learning and are eager to have a go at activities.

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The provision is good

The childminder provides activities for children to develop their mathematical skills. For example, children are keen to join in with a water activity. The assistant asks them to choose an object. They discuss if they are heavy or light and guess which will float or sink. Children enjoy counting 'five cheeky monkeys' as they sing the song. The childminder encourages children to count how many are left when one falls off the bed. During play, children use mathematical language such as 'tall' and 'short' when building towers. Children are supported well to extend their mathematical skills.

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need to do better?

n Children are provided with opportunities to develop their literacy skills as they start to make meaningful marks. For example, children enjoy moulding play dough. They use rolling pins and cutters to make 'chapatis'. Children also enjoy exploring with paint, using brushes and their hands to create artwork. As a result, children are developing their small muscles in order to prepare them for early writing. n Children sometimes go for walks in the local area, and there is a large garden at the setting. However, the childminder does not fully utilise the outdoor space to provide children with daily opportunities to play and explore outside. Furthermore, children do not always access fresh air each day. As a result, children who prefer to learn outdoors are not consistently provided with the opportunity to learn in their preferred environment. n The childminder and her assistants support children's communication and

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need to do better?

language well. They engage children in conversations and introduce new vocabulary when the opportunity arises. For example, children point to fruit they would like and the assistant says 'kiwi', encouraging children to repeat this back to her. Children enjoy listening to stories and also singing their favourite nursery rhymes. The childminder and her assistants support children who speak English as an additional language effectively, using keywords in their first language to

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need to do better?

16 March 2023 support them to build their vocabulary in English. n The childminder provides an inclusive environment that meets the needs of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The childminder works closely with families and external agencies in order to support children in their development. As a result, all children make good progress. n Parents say that the childminder gives them peace of mind when leaving their children. They feel that their children are happy and safe. Parents feel the communication between the childminder and themselves is good, both verbally and electronically. The childminder shares regular updates about children's development. She also provides ideas for parents to do at home and asks parents to share photos with her. This helps to provide a consistent approach to children's learning and development through positive parent partnerships. n The childminder and her assistants attend mandatory training to keep their

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need to do better?

knowledge up to date. The childminder provides opportunities for her assistants to have one-to-one meetings as well as regular team meetings. However, the childminder does not precisely identify opportunities for the further professional development of her assistants to enable them to improve their teaching to the highest level.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistants have a good understanding of their role in safeguarding children, including the signs and symptoms to be aware of. They know how to report any concerns, following the local procedures for referrals. The childminder understands her responsibility to ensure that her assistants have up-to- date training in order to keep their knowledge current. The setting is safe and secure. For example, the childminder carries out regular risk assessments, including fire evacuations. The childminder and her assistants all have first-aid training and understand how to deal with any accidents that may occur.

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should:

n review the daily routine to include daily access to fresh air and learning opportunities for children outdoors n maximise opportunities to identify professional development opportunities more precisely for staff, to consistently improve their teaching of the curriculum to the highest levels.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY486384 Local authority Blackburn with Darwen Inspection number 10276581 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 12 Number of children on roll 15 Date of previous inspection 21 July 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Blackburn, Lancashire. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with two assistants. She is in receipt of funding 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 and the inspector had a learning walk to understand how the provision and curriculum are organised. n The inspector spoke to parents and took account of their written feedback. n A sample of documents were viewed by the inspector. These included evidence of suitability and a record of qualifications and training. n The inspector spoke with the childminder and her assistants at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n A planned activity was jointly evaluated by the inspector and the childminder.

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Inspection activities

16 March 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

16 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

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