Childminder in Halton

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 provides a safe and well-resourced learning environment in which children feel settled. Her nurturing and sensitive interactions with children, and her well-planned curriculum, promote their development well. The childminder gains lots of information from parents about children's previous learning and their care routines. This helps her to be clear about what they already know and can do. The childminder's attentiveness to children's individual needs results in them becoming secure and confident learners, who are making good progress.

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The provision is good

The childminder encourages children to be independent. For example, they learn how to attend to their personal care needs and put on their coats and shoes. Children develop the skills they need in readiness for their progression to school. The childminder follows babies' home routines and supports their milestones extremely well. For example, she places mirrors and musical toys around babies to help them develop gross motor skills, such as kicking, reaching and rolling.

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The provision is good

The childminder promotes many aspects of children's behaviour well. She provides an orderly environment and offers children lots of praise and encouragement, which helps them to develop positive attitudes to learning. However, the childminder is not as effective in helping children to remember the rules when children occasionally demonstrate challenging behaviour.

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need to do better?

n Through her accurate assessment of children's development, the childminder is very aware of what children need to learn next. She makes good use of her high-level qualification to help her plan a curriculum around the learning needs of each child. This helps all children to continually build on what they already know and can do. n The childminder's curriculum helps children to experience different cultures and religious festivals and to consider how they are all unique individuals. This helps them to develop a sense of self and attitudes that are important to building relationships. However, the childminder is not consistently clear about the ways she expects children to behave. Children are not consistently learning about rules, such as to use their manners or tidy away the toys. n The childminder networks with local schools that children are due to attend. She is aware of the skills that they need in readiness for school and uses this to

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need to do better?

influence her curriculum planning. For example, the childminder helps children to develop their small hand muscles in preparation for holding a pencil, implementing activities such as weaving or using tweezers to sort objects. This collaborative working helps to ensure that children are ready for the next stage of their education.

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need to do better?

22 September 2023 n The childminder's curriculum includes rich opportunities for children to gain a strong grounding in mathematics. Children can recognise numerals and count confidently. The childminder builds on this further; for example, she plays number games with the children. They freely select numerals, excitedly place the 'add' symbol in between, explaining that 'two add two makes four'. Children are beginning to show an understanding of more complex mathematical problems, such as adding and subtracting small numbers. n The childminder supports all children's growing vocabulary well. She models language and helps them to learn new words. Throughout their day, children experience an environment that is rich in language. The childminder has back- and-forth interactions with babies and uses lots of eye contact to sustain their attention as she sings action rhymes. Babies learn to anticipate and giggle with

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need to do better?

delight as they are tickled at the end of 'Round and round the garden'. n Partnership with parents is strong. The childminder offers guidance, such as for baby weaning and registering children with a dentist. She also provides information about children's progress. Parents compliment the childminder on how their children 'look forward to their Julie days'. These good relationships help to ensure continuity in children's care and their learning. n The childminder promotes children's physical development well. She provides fresh drinking water along with healthy meals and snacks. The childminder takes the children on nature walks and to local parks, where they run around and explore the great outdoors. She helps children to learn about oral health by explaining the importance of cleaning their teeth regularly. n The childminder keeps her professional development up to date and implements what she has learned into her day-to-day practice. She accurately evaluates her

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need to do better?

provision and plans improvements aimed at achieving the best outcomes for children. The childminder's high level of commitment ensures that she consistently provides a high standard of care and education to all children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder keeps her safeguarding knowledge up to date by completing relevant training. She understands her role in keeping children safe and has an acute awareness of how to recognise any indicators that a child may be at risk of harm. She is also aware of who to contact in the event of an allegation being made against her or any household member. The childminder teaches children how to keep themselves safe. They learn about road safety and stranger danger.

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should:

n strengthen the curriculum for personal, social and emotional development, to

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should:

22 September 2023 help children to develop consistently positive social skills and behaviours.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY396694 Local authority Halton Inspection number 10304585 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 14 Date of previous inspection 8 January 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2009 and lives in Norton Village, Runcorn. She operates from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays. The childminder holds a childcare qualification at level 5.

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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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n Relevant documentation was reviewed and discussed, including the childminder's first-aid certificate. The inspector also discussed how the childminder evaluates her provision. n The inspector viewed the premises and discussed the intent of the childminder's curriculum during a learning walk. n Interactions between the childminder and the children were observed by the inspector, who also spoke to the children throughout the inspection. n The childminder and the inspector evaluated an activity and discussed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector took into account the written views of the parents.

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Inspection activities

22 September 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

22 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

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