Childminder in Lancashire

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive and flourish in the care of this exceptional childminder. They quickly develop close and loving bonds with her. The interactions between children are a joy to witness. Children are helpful and kind while using lovely manners. Their behaviour is excellent because of the childminder's carefully considered approach. Children resolve matters themselves by taking a moment to think about what they have been taught previously.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder plans a very effective curriculum around the interests of the children and adapts it to ensure that they make the best possible progress. She has an exemplary understanding of the developmental needs of all children. The childminder is focused on enhancing children's key skills in readiness for the next stage of learning. Communication, number and literacy activities are skilfully interwoven throughout the setting. For example, children link the story book, 'Handa's Surprise' to learning about new fruits and vegetables. They slice and weigh real food to make a fascinating soup, while also talking about size and shapes. Children are able to practise new skills regularly.

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The provision is outstanding

Teaching is of a very high standard. Robust and regular assessments are shared with parents and other settings that children attend. As a result, they know what children are working on and what they will be learning next. The childminder completes the required progress checks for children aged two years. She uses this information to quickly establish what help children will need. Tailored settling-in sessions mean that the childminder gets to know individual children and families exceptionally well.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is rightly proud of the adaptations she has made to her setting, which has produced a fantastic environment for children to play and learn. She provides a rich and ambitious curriculum where learning is linked seamlessly between the beautifully arranged indoor and outdoor areas. Children are continuously curious and display high levels of concentration. n The childminder rigorously assesses children's capabilities. As a result, she has a clear understanding of what children can do. The childminder uses this information to highlight strengths and swiftly addresses any emerging gaps that have been identified. All children make continued progress over time. n The childminder expertly supports children's communication skills and continuously exposes them to an environment rich in language. She remodels children's language in a subtle and effective way. This means children can hear and learn the correct pronunciation. The childminder listens intently so children

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need to do better?

feel that their thoughts are valued, which encourages them to speak more. She

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need to do better?

28 June 2023 introduces new vocabulary across all activities. Children enthusiastically join in with a wide variety of songs and rhymes. For example, they sing a song as they tidy up. Children enthusiastically join in with the words and use puppets to pick up pieces. As a result, they display a rapidly increasing vocabulary. n The childminder teaches skills that are deliberately sequenced to build on what children already know. These skills are taught throughout different activities, so children know that knowledge and skills are transferable. For example, children grow tomatoes and eat them at snack time. They cut the food with child-safe knives and count how many pieces of cutlery are needed. Children share vocabulary they have learned from the stories they have read. This consistent approach helps to prepare them well for success. n Children have fabulous opportunities to learn outdoors in the childminder's

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need to do better?

exceptionally inviting garden. She plays alongside them, offering praise, and focuses their thinking skills. For example, children were balancing on a narrow beam when another child wanted to clean it with water. The childminder encouraged them to think carefully about whether this would help or hinder their balancing. This sensitive approach helped children to think carefully about their actions. n The childminder views continuous improvement as a prerequisite for providing the highest possible care. She seeks out training courses that are of the highest quality and completes training regularly. For example, the childminder has undertaken an enhanced safeguarding course. She also builds relationships with other childcare providers to make sure she keeps her knowledge and skills current. This enables her to continue to meet the needs of all children. n Parents are delighted with the service offered by the childminder. They say that

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need to do better?

their children 'blossom' in her care and that they would not change a thing about the service provided. The childminder works very closely with parents at the start. This continues as she seeks their views and opinions regularly. This helps the childminder to ensure that children's needs are always well met. Parents find the communications in verbal and written form extremely useful and describe them as 'insightful'.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has in-depth knowledge of safeguarding and consistently prioritises children's safety at the setting. Excellent risk assessments are undertaken, both indoors and outside, which help to ensure children's safety at all times. The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to identify any possible indicators that a child might be at risk of abuse or neglect. This includes risks of radicalisation and exposure to domestic violence. The childminder has a clear understanding of how to report any concerns, and she knows who to report these to. The childminder has undertaken comprehensive safeguarding training. She is always vigilant and ensures that children are supervised at all times.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY433948 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10285972 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 5 Date of previous inspection 26 October 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2011 and lives in Fulwood, Preston. She operates all year round, from 7.30am until 5pm Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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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 setting. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for the early years foundation stage curriculum. 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. n The inspector observed the quality of education and interactions between the childminder and children. The inspector assessed the impact that these are having on children's learning. n The childminder and the inspector conducted a leadership discussion in relation to the management of the setting.

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Inspection activities

28 June 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

28 June 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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