Childminder in Staffordshire

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 feel safe and secure in the care of this fun and nurturing childminder. The childminder gets to know the children very well. She provides activities that capture and ignite their curiosity for learning. Children go on lots of outings with the childminder, exploring the world around them. Recently, they went on an autumnal walk and collected pine cones, conkers, leaves and twigs. The childminder enhances this experience further as she creates an activity for children to use the items to make 'autumn soup' outdoors in the garden. Children sustain long periods of time at their chosen activity. They use jugs and ladles to scoop and pour different coloured water into their bowls. They add pine cones and conkers and stir. The childminder skilfully interacts with the children, talking about the colours and what happens when two different colours are mixed. Children enjoy squirting water from a spray gun. This helps to improve dexterity in their fingers, which

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The provision is good

supports early writing skills and pencil control.

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The provision is good

Children learn how to become critical thinkers and problem solvers. When building a house out of large construction blocks, they look at why a piece does not fit and try different-shaped bricks until they are successful. The childminder praises children for their achievements, and this helps to build their self-esteem and confidence. Younger children practise their developing physical skills as they climb in and out of push-along cars.

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need to do better?

n The childminder undertakes regular professional development. She attends training and belongs to a network group of childminders where best practice can be shared. This helps the quality of teaching to be consistently good. n Children have lots of opportunities to be independent and practise their skills. At snack time and lunchtime, children chop their own fruit. They have their own knives and spread butter on their toast. Even the youngest children are supported to learn these skills as they pour their own drinks and drink from an open cup. n The childminder's curriculum is sequenced to continually build on skills that children are learning. The well-qualified childminder understands how children learn. She uses detailed information from parents and her own observations to plan children's next steps in learning. Subsequently, children are making good progress and are ready for their next stage of learning and eventual move to

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need to do better?

school. n Partnerships with parents are good. The childminder regularly updates them with their child's learning. She shares written next steps for the children with parents so they can continue to support their child's learning at home. Parents write that children are happy and enjoy their time in the childminder's care.

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need to do better?

25 September 2023 Children also tell the inspector that they enjoy coming. They especially enjoy story time. n On the whole, children behave well. The childminder swiftly manages any instances of unwanted behaviour. However, more could be done to support older children to self-regulate their behaviour and understand that their actions have consequences, such as potentially hurting their friends. n Children develop a deep love for books. The childminder tells stories in an exciting and captivating way. Children enjoy using puppets to help tell stories. As the childminder reads the story 'Owl Babies', the children each have their own puppet owl. They make their owls fly. Even the youngest children have owl baby puppets, which they enjoy having on their fingers. n The curriculum for communication and language is good. The childminder ensures that children are exposed to a rich vocabulary as she interacts with

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need to do better?

them and talks to them in their play. The childminder could support children's developing language even further by considering different ways of questioning, which would encourage children to answer in more than one word. n Children follow good hygiene practices. They regularly wash their hands. When a child sneezes, they go and wash their hands again. Children are encouraged to toilet independently. The childminder provides freshly prepared meals, which are healthy and balanced.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a good, robust knowledge of safeguarding and how to keep children safe. She regularly attends training to keep her knowledge up to date and relevant. The childminder is astutely aware of the importance of recording information detailing any concerns she may have. She can recognise signs and symptoms of abuse and knows the procedures to follow to report any concerns about children in her care. The childminder supports parents and understands the importance of seeking early help where necessary. She is diligent in her duty to ensure that children are always safe. For example, when children are eating, she does not leave their sides, as she is acutely aware of the risks of choking.

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should:

n strengthen the already good curriculum for communication and language to help children to increase their sentence building so they can hold thoughtful conversations n support children to understand why behaviour rules are in place and recognise the impact that their behaviour has on others.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY496345 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10301736 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 12 Number of children on roll 8 Date of previous inspection 8 January 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Burton-upon-Trent. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, term time only. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. She provides funded early 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 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 showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure it is safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their EYFS curriculum. n Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at the childminder's. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector viewed parent questionnaires to look at their views about the

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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

25 September 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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