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

p.1

The provision is good

Children form warm bonds with the caring childminder. They run up to her with excitement to give her a cuddle. She provides them with lots of praise and reassurance. This helps to develop children's self-esteem. Children have opportunities to make their own choices in their play. They explore the environment independently. Children demonstrate they feel confident and secure in their surroundings. The childminder promotes healthy living. Children have the opportunity to try a variety of fruit and vegetables. When they go out on trips, the children get lots of physical exercise. With support from the childminder they are developing skills to care for themselves. This is embedding early the importance of good health.

p.2

The provision is good

There are a variety of experiences for children, both indoors and outdoors. The childminder creates a child-centred environment, where children develop their interest in learning. The childminder works hard to provide children with experiences to support their development. Children read stories to develop their understanding of books. They create pictures with a variety of materials to develop their small-muscle skills. Children experience enticing outings every day to places, such as parks, churches, and local play centres. These experiences help children learn about the world around them and build their social skills.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder has a clear intent for what she wants children to achieve. She knows the children well and implements the next steps in their learning into every experience. For example, at snack time children who struggle to share are developing this skill by turn taking. Children are making good progress. n Children regularly experience learning outdoors. The childminder understands how COVID-19 has impacted on the children in her care. Therefore, she has developed a curriculum to help combat these effects. For instance, children go on regular outings to help build their social skills and confidence. This helps support children's development and helps them to reach their full potential. n Overall, language development is supported. The childminder pronounces words clearly, so children can hear the correct pronunciation. She adds words to what children say to help them learn simple sentence structures. However,

p.2

need to do better?

occasionally the childminder asks children simple questions, which do not develop their thinking skills. This means children are not always provided with opportunities to further develop their understanding. n Children are developing a love of books. They enjoy looking at the pictures and are already making references to their favourite books. The childminder encourages children to look at books together. This helps children to develop their social and communication skills.

p.2

need to do better?

25 April 2023 n Children engage in activities for long periods of time. Even the youngest children demonstrate an impressive ability to concentrate on activities. The childminder is in tune with the children. She knows when they are engrossed in their learning and so will extend this. This helps to develop positive attitudes to learning. n The childminder has high expectations for children's behaviour. She has recently reflected on her practise and introduced new strategies, such as sticker charts. This is to help manage children's behaviour through positive reinforcement. She talks to children about their feelings and explains boundaries to them. However, the boundaries are not always consistent. Sometimes, the children will receive a reward even though they have not done what was expected. This does not help children understand how to manage their own behaviour. n The childminder values and uses words from children's home languages. Each

p.2

need to do better?

day, the childminder introduces a new Polish word and uses it in both English and Polish, so that children understand the meaning. Children look up in delight and smile when they hear their home language spoken. This helps form a lovely bond between the children and the childminder. n Children are developing self-care skills. They wash their hands and wipe their noses. Young children look in the mirror as they wipe their face, making sure it is clean. Children are learning the skills they need to keep themselves healthy. n Parent partnership is strong. Parents say that their children are progressing well since attending the childminder's setting. They express how the childminder includes them in their child's development and makes them feel part of the decisions made. The childminder communicates regularly with parents about what she is working on with the children. This helps parents continue children's

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of child protection and safeguarding. She is aware of the signs of abuse and the processes to follow if she was concerned about a child's welfare. She has also made sure she is knowledgeable about other child protection issues, such as the 'Prevent' duty and county lines. The childminder has recently been working with other agencies to improve her safeguarding practice. They suggested minor recommendations and these have already been implemented into her practice. This helps ensure children's safety while in the childminder's care.

p.3

should:

n consider using questioning techniques which better support children's critical thinking

p.3

should:

25 April 2023 n continue to strengthen behaviour management strategies to help children manage their own emotions.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY473808 Local authority Blackburn with Darwen Inspection number 10284898 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 23 Date of previous inspection 26 July 2019

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2014 and lives in the Lower Darwen area of Blackburn. The childminder operates all year round, from 7.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, except for family holidays, bank holidays and the week between Christmas and the New Year. The childminder holds a childcare qualification at level 3. She provides funded places for children aged two, three and four years old.

p.5

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 childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure they are safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their early years foundation stage curriculum. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children. n The inspector carried out joint observations of a group activity with the childminder. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

p.6

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.

p.6

Inspection activities

25 April 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.

p.6

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.7

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7