Childminder in Cheshire East

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children demonstrate extremely high levels of curiosity and fascination at this wonderfully creative and naturally resourced setting. The childminder is nurturing and caring and recognises the importance of forming strong bonds with children to support their physical and emotional well-being. Children settle very quickly and display a strong sense of belonging.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder is a remarkable teacher, and her passion for providing exemplary care and learning experiences is evident in all that she does. She allows the children to lead their learning and uses highly effective teaching strategies to plan 'in the moment' for their next steps of development. Children are provided with an incredibly rich and ambitious curriculum, sharply focused on the individual children lucky enough to attend. The childminder has an excellent understanding of children's interests and individual learning styles. She uses this knowledge to skilfully engage children in the wondrous opportunities on offer, both in the setting and on the numerous trips they take to extend their learning even further. Consequently, all children are constantly engaged and make excellent progress in all areas of their learning and development.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder and her assistant have high expectations for the children and model good manners and expected behaviours exceptionally well. They demonstrate wonderful conversational skills, asking carefully considered questions, extending the children's understanding. Interactions with children are of the highest quality. Children form close friendships, become deeply engrossed in their play and display exemplary behaviour.

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need to do better?

n The childminder places a strong emphasis on promoting children's early literacy skills. Story times are exceptionally well delivered. She purposefully chooses books that are closely linked to supporting children's further development across all areas. For example, 'The Colour Monster' story is used extremely well to support emotional regulation. The childminder and her assistant read with enthusiasm and use hand-knitted props to entice even the youngest children to develop a love of reading. Singing is plentiful, and the children delight in joining in with the actions to familiar songs and rhymes. n The childminder promotes healthy eating and good oral health exceptionally well. Children benefit from excellent back-and-forth social interactions during the 'family' mealtimes and have a balanced and nutritious home-cooked lunch every day. Children learn about growth and where their food comes from in first-hand

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need to do better?

and fascinating ways. For example, children pick dandelions on their nature walks and learn that these are edible by visiting the library to explore books on

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need to do better?

4 May 2023 plants and foraging. The childminder provides continuous extensions to learning and invites parents to the setting to strengthen partnerships and further develop the topic on healthy eating and growth. For instance, parents share their cooking and gardening skills, and the children practise using their large and small muscles as they pour, stir, mix and dig. n Children relish their time outside as they balance, climb and run freely in the wind. The childminder encourages them to listen and notice the world around them. For instance, children describe the sound of the wind. The childminder introduces new vocabulary such as 'gust', 'blowing' and 'whistling'. The childminder asks children to describe what is happening to the leaves. She checks if they remember any other types of weather. Children are eager to express what they know and confidently answer with 'sunshine' and 'rain'. n The childminder reflects deeply and strives for continuous improvement. She

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need to do better?

prioritises her own professional development and that of her assistant. They complete training that will have the greatest impact on children's progress. For example, they have recently completed a course on neuroscience for a deeper understanding of how children learn. Training on the provision for the under- twos has equipped them with a greater understanding of how to support babies' early communication skills. n Parents are highly complimentary about the childminder and appreciate her 'faultless communication', saying they are 'so grateful to have found her'. They state how their children are extremely happy to attend and have come on in 'leaps and bounds'. Parents love the gentle teaching approach that the childminder follows and the marvellous experiences she offers. The wealth of information they receive, including newsletters, photos and the 'borrowing bee bag', all allow parents to become seamlessly involved in extending their

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need to do better?

children's learning at home. n The childminder works tirelessly to forge links in the local community and recognises the importance of networking to share knowledge, ideas and best practice. She has developed excellent relationships with the local authority, schools and other settings. This helps to ensure that children's needs will continue to be met when they move on to their next stage of learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant have a secure knowledge of safeguarding and child protection. They complete regular in-depth training that ensures they can recognise and report any concerns swiftly and understand the steps to take should a referral be necessary. They keep up to date with first-aid training and have an excellent understanding of what to do if a child or baby is choking. Robust recruitment and vetting procedures ensure that all adults living and working on site are suitable to be with children. The childminder offers ongoing support and supervision to her assistant and ensures her well-being needs are met. The areas used for childminding are well organised and the premises are safe and secure.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2625372 Local authority Cheshire East Inspection number 10285494 Type of provision Childminder Registers Early Years Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2021 and lives in Congleton, Cheshire. She operates all year round, from 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds qualified teacher status and works with an assistant.

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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 discussed the curriculum and the intentions for children's learning. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact on children's learning and development. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder and discussed the impact of teaching on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to children at appropriate times and observed the childminder's interactions with children during play and daily routines. n The inspector spoke to parents and took account of their views. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of relevant records and documentation, including evidence of training and the suitability of adults living

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Inspection activities

and working in the household. n All areas of the premises used for childminding were viewed, and the inspector took account of how the childminder ensures that children are safe.

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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

4 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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