Childminder in Worcestershire

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children form secure relationships with the childminder from the outset. During induction, the childminder invites parents and children to attend stay-and-play sessions in her home. This helps them to get to know her and become familiar with their surroundings. Children are very happy and settled. They clearly enjoy the time they spend in the childminder's care. The childminder supports children's independence effectively. At snack time, children wash their hands and use knives safely to butter their toast. The childminder sits alongside them to offer encouragement and support. She extends their learning in the moment. For example, she introduces mathematical language as they discuss if they would like their toast cut into triangles or squares.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are motivated to learn because the childminder plans a wide range of interesting play activities based on their current interests and next steps in learning. Recently, the childminder took children to the local woods to learn about nature and the changing seasons. Children enthusiastically collect twigs, leaves and pine cones. They incorporate the natural resources into their play. For example, they use the leaves to build a nest for a pretend hedgehog. The childminder promotes children's growing vocabulary effectively. She introduces the word 'hibernate' into their play and explains that hedgehogs go for a long sleep in the winter.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has addressed the weaknesses raised at her last inspection. She is reflective and identifies what she does well and some areas for further development. For example, she reflects that she needs to continue with her professional development to keep her knowledge and skills up to date to deliver high-quality care and education to all who attend. n Hygiene and care practice is good. The childminder is attentive and responds warmly to children's individual needs. She ensures that equipment used to attend to children's personal care is sanitised after use. The childminder models good handwashing procedures throughout the day. n The childminder knows the children in her care well. She makes regular assessments of what children know and can do and uses this information to plan for their next steps in learning. The childminder knows the procedures to follow should she need to seek support from other professionals to address any gaps in

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need to do better?

children's learning. n The childminder provides children with a wide range of age-appropriate toys and resources. However, she is yet to review the layout of the environment to maximise children's learning. At times, children are easily distracted from their chosen play because there are too many resources left out.

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need to do better?

19 October 2023 n The childminder knows what she wants children to learn from adult-led activities. For example, she wants them to learn that colours change when paint is mixed together. Children listen attentively and follow instructions. They carefully mix the paints and make a picture of a hedgehog. However, at times, the childminder is overly directive. She does not always provide children with enough time to express their creativity and develop their own ideas. n The childminder has high expectations for children's behaviour. She gently reminds them of the house rules, including turn taking and using kind hands. Children know what is expected of them and use good manners throughout the day. Although the childminder asks children what makes them happy or sad, she is yet to provide them with a wide enough range of experiences to help them learn the language of feelings and emotions to enable them to articulate how

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need to do better?

they feel. n Children have daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise. The childminder regularly takes children to visit places of interest within their community. For example, they visit the farm park and the garden centre. The childminder often meets up with other childminders and their children to attend group stay-and- play sessions. This helps children to develop wider friendship groups and gain confidence in different social situations. n Relationships with parents are good. The childminder shares information with them about children's time at the setting in a range of ways. For example, she speaks to them at drop-off and collection times and uses digital messages to send photographs of children's achievements. This provides parents with ideas to help them to continue learning at home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder attends safeguarding training to keep her knowledge up to date. She is aware of the indicators of child abuse and neglect. The childminder knows the procedures to follow should she have any concerns about a child's welfare. The childminder carries out daily safety checks on all areas of her home and garden to ensure children play in a secure environment. The childminder has a good understanding of what to do and who to contact should an allegation be made against her or a member of her family. The childminder supports children to keep themselves safe when out in the community. For example, she talks to them about road safety and stranger danger.

p.3

should:

n review the organisation of the learning environment to fully support children's engagement and maximise their learning

p.3

should:

19 October 2023 n strengthen interactions to provide children with even more time to express their creativity and develop their own ideas n provide children with even more experiences to help them to learn the language of feelings and emotions and articulate how they feel.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 204565 Local authority Worcestershire Inspection number 10277992 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

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 11 Date of previous inspection 4 January 2023

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1992. She operates from her home in Droitwich, Worcestershire. She operates Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 6pm, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder has a childcare qualification at level 3. She provides funded early years education for three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure it is safe and suitable. n The childminder and inspector discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact that this had on children's learning. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector took account of the views of parents through written documentation. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the childminder.

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Inspection activities

19 October 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

19 October 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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