Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

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

The childminder eagerly welcomes children at the door. Parents exchange information that will help the childminder to support their children's needs throughout the day. Children are offered lots of reassurance as they separate from their parents. Other children wait patiently to greet their friends. This results in children feeling safe and secure and they settle quickly.

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The provision is good

Children play well together. They watch and learn from each other and demonstrate that they like spending time with their friends. Children follow routines well and carry them out with confidence. For instance, when they hear particular music being played, they know it is a cue for 'tidy-up time' and happily begin placing toys away. Children display great manners and respect the views of others. Their behaviour is good.

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The provision is good

Children are highly engaged and show increased concentration and focus during activities. For example, older children use digging tools with confidence as they carefully collect soil and put it into pots. This generates lots of discussion about what makes the seeds grow. Younger children show determination as they practise new skills of operating the spray bottles. They grip them firmly and show delight as water squirts out. The childminder is close by to offer praise for their achievements. This supports children to build their self-esteem and belief in their abilities.

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need to do better?

n The childminder and her assistant work extremely well together. They pride themselves in offering a nurturing, home-from-home environment. The childminder accurately evaluates what she is doing well and makes changes according to children's interests and needs. She constantly supports her assistant throughout the day. They keep their knowledge and skills up to date by attending regular webinars and sharing ideas with other childminders. This contributes to them delivering high levels of care and learning opportunities to children. n The childminder closely observes and assesses children's learning as they play. However, during group activities, she does not always encourage quieter children to fully contribute. As a result, the learning intentions of quieter children are not always successfully met. n The childminder skilfully weaves mathematics into the curriculum. Children are encouraged to count using their fingers. They also hear positional language,

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need to do better?

such as 'over' and 'under'. This supports the development of their early mathematics skills well. n Children have lots of opportunities to sing songs, learn rhymes and read stories.

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need to do better?

24 May 2023 The childminder and her assistant continually talk to children. They ask them questions and introduce a range of new words. However, occasionally, the assistant does not call children by their correct names. Consequently, children are not fully gaining a sense of themselves or hearing the correct sounds in words to fully develop their emerging speech and language. n The childminder and her assistant encourage children to carry out tasks for themselves. For instance, children feed themselves, use a knife to cut up fruit and confidently attend to their own care needs. This helps to support children's independence skills and prepares them well for their future learning, such as school. n Parents are extremely happy with the care and learning experiences that the childminder and her assistant give to children. They comment that they are both so loving and friendly and offer a nurturing environment. Parents are kept

p.2

need to do better?

updated about their children's achievements. The childminder and the assistant also share ideas for parents to further extend their children's learning at home. n Children gain a great understanding of the natural world around them. For example, they plant their own flowers and grow fruit and vegetables. This helps children to learn about how food is produced, which gives them a sense of responsibility and a connection with nature. n Children have a secure understanding of the importance of keeping themselves healthy. For instance, they independently make healthy food choices and carry out good hygiene procedures. As a result, children are gaining a greater awareness of leading a healthy lifestyle.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant have a good knowledge and understanding of their responsibilities for keeping children safe from harm. They confidently talk about the signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedure to follow if they have any concerns. The childminder gives clear explanations to children about the importance of keeping themselves safe. For example, she asks children why they need to wear a hat when it is sunny. Furthermore, she provides answers when children ask why grapes need to be cut up. This leads to conversations about chewing food safely and choking.

p.3

should:

n focus more closely on supporting quieter children to be fully engaged in their play and learning, particularly during group activities n use children's correct names when speaking to them, to help develop their understanding and emerging speech and language even further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY450412 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 10285851 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 12 Date of previous inspection 20 October 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2012 and lives in Chester, Cheshire. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder has an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3. She 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 childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n The inspector spoke to the childminder and her assistant at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder, her assistant and children. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

24 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

24 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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