Walton Julie

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 are happy, settled and content and form strong trusting bonds with the caring and experienced childminder. Children are enthusiastic to explore and show confidence in their surroundings. They know the daily routines, such as circle time, where they learn about the days of the week and the weather. Children benefit from opportunities that support their early literacy skills. They are beginning to recognise their names in writing during self-registration and enjoy looking at books independently. Children thoroughly enjoy singing times. They take turns to choose items from the song bag, such as a toy monkey. This sparks children's enthusiasm, and they energetically join in singing a counting song about five cheeky monkeys.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy spending time outside in the fresh air. They have fun in the childminder's garden and develop good physical skills. Children skilfully climb up steps and giggle as they slide down the small slide. They ride on wheeled toys and navigate the space available. Children take part in regular outings, which helps to enrich their understanding of the world around them. For example, they visit nature reserves, woodlands and local farms.

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The provision is good

Children learn about diversity and inclusion, such as through books, discussions and on outings in the community, where they socialise with other children and adults outside of the home. Parents are invited to share aspects of their own cultures, such as traditional foods for children to taste.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is nurturing and genuinely cares for the children. She plans a broad and well-sequenced curriculum that builds on what children already know and can do. As a result, children make good progress from their starting points. n The childminder is passionate about developing children's communication and language. She has attended relevant training in this subject to further enhance her knowledge. The childminder holds positive interactions with the children. She introduces new words to support their growing vocabulary and repeats words back to them so that they can hear the correct pronunciation. n The childminder has established good links with teachers from the local primary school. She shares relevant information, such as where children are in their learning, to ensure continuity. Children take part in visits to the school to join in with activities, such as forest school sessions. This helps children to become

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need to do better?

familiar with their new surroundings in readiness for their eventual move to school. n Parent partnerships are strong. The childminder communicates face to face with parents. She keeps them informed on the day-to-day activities their children take part in and the progress they make. Written feedback from parents is

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need to do better?

3 May 2023 positive. They write that their children are content and feel at home when they are in the care of the childminder. Furthermore, parents write that they value the many outings and experiences their children receive. n The childminder is a good role model to the children. She sensitively encourages them to play cooperatively with their friends. However, on occasions, when children struggle to share toys, she does not always support them to recognise and manage their feelings and emotions and understand how their actions affect others. This would help to support their personal, social and emotional development. n The childminder provides children with opportunities to practise their fine motor skills in preparation for early writing. For example, children become immersed in their play as they explore play dough. They use the small muscles in their hands to manipulate the dough and use tools with purpose, such as rolling pins and

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need to do better?

shape cutters. They use their imagination and pretend to make birthday cakes. They add candles into the dough and sing the 'Happy Birthday' song to each other and pretend to blow out the candles. n Children regularly enjoy messy-play activities. For example, they have lots of fun exploring the sand and water tray. Children enthusiastically splash their hands in the water and scoop up sand with a small spade. The childminder joins in their play and introduces learning opportunities, such as numbers and counting. However, she does not always introduce mathematical concepts into children's play, such as capacity and weight, to deepen their understanding of early mathematics.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a secure understanding of the signs and symptoms that a child may be at risk of abuse. She is confident in the procedures to follow should she have concerns over the welfare of a child. The childminder keeps her knowledge up to date by accessing training, including on how to keep children safe from radicalisation and exposure to extreme views. She carries out daily checks of her home and when going on outings to ensure any potential hazards are minimised. Children meet the local school crossing patrol officer when on outings in the community and learn how to keep themselves safe when crossing the road.

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should:

n support children to recognise and understand the impact their behaviour has on others and develop ways to help children to understand and manage their emotions and feelings n explore ways to extend children's understanding of mathematical concepts, such

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should:

3 May 2023 as weight and capacity, to enhance their mathematical knowledge.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 224606 Local authority Stoke-on-Trent Inspection number 10276676 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 5 Date of previous inspection 27 July 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2000 and lives in Stoke-on-Trent. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a level 3 childcare qualification. She also works with a part-time assistant. 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 childminder and took that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The inspector completed a learning walk with the childminder and discussed how she implements her educational programme. n The quality of teaching and the impact on children's learning was observed. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household.

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Inspection activities

3 May 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

3 May 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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