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

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The provision is good

Children arrive at the childminder's home happy. They wave goodbye to their parents and eagerly run inside to play with their friends. The childminder provides children with lots of hugs and reassurance. She encourages them to independently explore the exciting activities that have been purposely laid out. These welcoming gestures support children to feel emotionally secure, and they create strong attachments with the childminder.

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The provision is good

Children play well together and thrive due to the positive interactions from the childminder and other children. They are familiar with general routines and carry out tasks without prompt. For example, children know that, when they enter the childminder's home, they are to place their shoes in the rack and to wash their hands. Children follow instructions and are well aware of the childminder's expectations. Children's behaviour is good.

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The provision is good

The childminder has created an interesting and stimulating environment for children to play and learn. For instance, older children show great concentration as they attempt to walk across balancing beams. Younger children wait patiently for their turn and watch from a distance. They then hold their arms out and carefully place one foot in front of the other. Other children are close by to cheer their friends on and celebrate their achievements.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a clear vision: to provide a homely environment that supports children's emotional needs and development. She accurately identifies her strengths and areas for development. The childminder ensures that her knowledge and practice are up to date. She carries out online training and exchanges ideas with other childminders. This helps her to keep abreast of any changes in order to provide the best possible learning experiences to children. n Generally, children are making good progress. The childminder has devised a curriculum that takes into account the different ages and stages of children's development. She knows the children well and confidently talks about their current interests, what they have achieved and what they need to learn next. However, during group activities, less confident and quieter children do not always get the same opportunities to fully contribute, answer questions or

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need to do better?

express their knowledge. n Overall, the childminder interacts well with children and joins in with fun activities. This helps to maintain children's focus and engagement for longer periods of time. However, occasionally, the childminder does not always allow children the time to think things through for themselves. She is too quick to demonstrate how things work or to provide the answers to questions that she

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need to do better?

12 July 2023 has asked. This prevents children from fully extending their critical-thinking skills. n Children enjoy an array of activities, which supports their communication and language. For example, children sing songs and use props to bring their favourite rhymes to life. Furthermore, the childminder reads stories aloud and shares books. This helps to support children's language and provides them with the opportunities to hear and say new words. n The childminder teaches children about their bodies. For instance, they learn about their senses as they taste fruit, listen to noises and touch different textures. Furthermore, children are active and move their bodies around to music as they hop, jump and wiggle their arms. They know the importance of drinking water to hydrate themselves. As a result, children are gaining a greater understanding of their bodily functions and the importance of leading healthy

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need to do better?

lifestyles. n Children's independence is promoted well. For example, children are encouraged to use a knife to cut up fruit. They take themselves to the toilet and understand hygiene routines. As a result, children are confident in carrying out self-care tasks, which supports them in readiness for school. n Partnerships with parents are good. Parents describe the childminder as 'incredible'. They say they are confident that their children are safe and well looked after. The childminder has daily chats with parents and informs them of events or activities carried out throughout the day. Furthermore, parents are kept up to date with their child's progress, and they are given suggestions of how they can further support their children's development at home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder regularly reviews the safeguarding policy. She demonstrates a good understanding of her role and responsibility and explains the procedures to follow if she has any safeguarding concerns. She regularly assesses her home for any potential dangers. Furthermore, the childminder reminds children of the 'house rules', such as no running indoors. This helps children to have a greater awareness of potential hazards and helps to prevent any accidents or incidents from occurring.

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should:

n engage less confident and quieter children in group activities more consistently, to further support their learning and development n provide children with more time to respond to questions, to allow them to work things out for themselves and to develop their critical-thinking skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY487581 Local authority Blackburn with Darwen Inspection number 10280382 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory 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 19 September 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in the Oakdale area of Blackburn. She operates during term time only, from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. The childminder provides funded early education for 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 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 intention for children's learning. n The inspector spoke to the childminder 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 and children. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

12 July 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

12 July 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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