Caroline Lindsay Barlow

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 in this setting are confident and settled. The childminder is very responsive to the children's needs and responds warmly as younger children approach her for a cuddle and reassurance. Children, including new children to the setting, have developed strong and secure attachments with the childminder. Children are friendly and confidently engage and interact with visitors. They are often highly engaged in play, engaging with resources of their own choosing from the playroom. Children show kindness to each other and have developed positive friendships with their peers.

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The provision is good

The childminder ensures that children are introduced to new interests, to broaden their experiences. For example, during a 'What's in the box?' activity, the childminder introduces tweezers for children to explore and develop their fine motor skills. This is extended further as they show excitement in posting the resources into a ready-made box. The childminder uses this opportunity to introduce new words, such as 'rough' and 'smooth', as the children feel the pebbles and stones. Children focus for long periods of time on activities the childminder has chosen for them. For example, they concentrate intently as they use knives to cut up their banana for snack. Children are engaged and motivated to learn.

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need to do better?

n The childminder demonstrates a passion for child-led play and learning. She provides a curriculum with the children's interests being the core focus. For example, children lead the childminder into the playroom and choose their own resources from an accessible selection. The childminder skilfully intervenes to enhance their learning, introducing language and number into their play. Children gain knowledge in all seven areas of learning. n Children have opportunities to learn about some of the ways to lead a healthy lifestyle. For example, they are offered a selection of fresh fruit at snack time. Furthermore, children learn about oral health while brushing their teeth daily. However, hygiene practices, such as handwashing, are not as consistent. n The childminder takes the children out regularly into the local community. They go to daily playgroup sessions, meet with local childminder groups, and walk to

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need to do better?

the park. As a result, children are becoming confident in developing important social skills. n Children's communication and language are thoroughly supported. Opportunities for children to sing and read stories are plentiful throughout the day. Children show great delight in singing nursery rhymes with the childminder. In addition, the childminder speaks very clearly to children, skilfully correcting language where appropriate. Children are confident communicators. n The childminder conducts assessments such as the progress check for children

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need to do better?

9 May 2023 aged two to three years. This supports her to identify any potential areas in children's learning and development that may require some intervention. However, she does not plan precise next steps to fully maximise children's learning potential. This means children do not always make the progress of which they are capable. n Parents speak very highly of the childminder. They say they are 'very happy' and feel 'reassured' leaving their children in her care. The childminder shares consistent information with parents about their child and photographs of their child's day. She welcomes parents to discuss any concerns they may have. Parents comment that their children's progress is evident. Partnerships with parents are strong, which helps to provide a consistency of care for children. n The childminder has a positive attitude to developing her knowledge and skills. She ensures that her mandatory training, such as first aid and child protection,

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need to do better?

are kept up to date. She gains new information from local childminding support groups. However, she does not yet focus professional development precisely enough to ensure her knowledge and teaching skills are at their highest level. n The childminder is a good role model for the children. They are kind to their peers and often offer support to each other during play and activities. She has clear expectations and boundaries for the children, which she shares regularly with them. Children's behaviour is excellent.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder attends regular training to ensure her safeguarding knowledge is up to date. She demonstrates excellent knowledge of recognising signs of potential abuse. The childminder is aware of local safeguarding policies and understands what to do should she have any concerns about a child or a member of her household. The childminder carries out thorough risk assessments, both indoors and outdoors. She ensures that all children are aware of rules, such as holding hands when on outings, and explains the importance of these to the children. This helps children to learn to keep themselves safe.

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should:

n improve systems for hygiene practices, such as handwashing before meals and after wiping noses n develop precise next steps in learning to build on what children need to learn next n establish a focused programme of continual professional development to provide teaching and learning to the highest level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY546525 Local authority Bolton Inspection number 10280484 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 6 Number of children on roll 7 Date of previous inspection 11 September 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Bolton, Greater Manchester. She provides care for children all year round, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except for personal and bank holidays. The childminder is in receipt of funding to provide 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 has taken this into account in her evaluation of the setting. n The inspector held a discussion with the childminder in relation to the leadership and management of the setting. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of qualifications and the childminder's suitability to work with children. n The inspector took account of parents' views from their written feedback. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure it is safe and suitable. n The inspector observed the quality of interactions between the childminder and children. n The childminder joined the inspector on a learning walk to discuss the curriculum.

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Inspection activities

9 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

9 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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