Childminder, Out-of school day care in Cheshire East

This provision meets requirements

Children are happy, relaxed and settled in this warm and comfortable home-from- home environment. They consistently follow the well-embedded routines, taking their shoes off and storing their bags carefully as they arrive from school. Children independently wash their hands and dry them on individual colour-coded towels. Children proudly tell the inspector 'This is my towel – I can tell because it is pink.' This demonstrates how the childminder supports children to become increasingly independent in managing their own needs.

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This provision meets requirements

The children settle quickly in the cosy playroom. They enjoy playing with building blocks. The childminder encourages them to build the blocks into a tower as tall as they are. Even though it is difficult, the children continue to try hard to make the tower bigger and bigger. The childminder praises the children's efforts and celebrates and claps when the tower reaches the correct height. The children laugh in delight as they measure themselves against the tower. This reflects the positive and respectful culture between the childminder and children.

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need to do better?

n Children behave very well at the childminder's. She has clear boundaries and children know exactly what is expected of them. For example, they wait politely until everyone has been served before beginning their meal. The childminder is an excellent role model and children are polite, patient and kind. Children of different ages play together and support each other. For example, older children show younger children how to play a game, explaining 'It's not very hard and it's a good game.' Older children praise the younger children when they succeed. This helps to develop children's confidence. n Children are well supported to make healthy choices around food and drink. They talk enthusiastically about the nutritious home-cooked food the childminder prepares daily. Children grow vegetables in the garden, which they then eat. All children drink water with their meal and discuss the importance of staying

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need to do better?

hydrated. However, at times, the childminder does not always support children to make healthy choices around screen time, for example an interesting conversation is limited by the television being turned on. n The childminder provides children with lots of opportunities to be physically active, such as mini-tennis and ten-pin bowling in the garden. The children go on trips out to the local park, where they take part in exciting activities, such as zip-wires and playing on tyre swings. Children also talk excitedly about sometimes going 'off roading' on the walk home from school and having lots of fun running around in a wooded area. n Events, such as children's birthdays, are celebrated when the childminder bakes

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need to do better?

2 November 2023 them a cake and puts up balloons. Children also speak proudly about bringing special clothes to the setting for festivals, such as Divali, and talking to the other children about how they celebrate. This supports children's understanding of what makes them unique and their understanding and appreciation of diversity. n The childminder is reflective about the care she provides and is always seeking ways to improve the provision. For example, she has introduced a weekly colour- coded menu to allow children to be more independent. She has undertaken additional training on mental health awareness and emotion coaching to better support children's emotional development. She also organised and hosted a training session for other local childminders. This means that she is constantly developing and improving. n Parents are highly complimentary about the care that their children receive at the childminder's house. They appreciate the high level of nurture and concern,

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need to do better?

which the childminder shows towards the children. They report that their children look forward to coming to the setting and talk excitedly at home about the activities they will be doing. This shows that children feel safe and secure. Parents say that they are well informed about their child's time at the childminder's via frequent photos and individual discussions at pick up time.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a clear and consistent understanding of her role in keeping children safe. She knows the signs and symptoms that a child may be at risk and what to do if she is concerned about a child. The childminder uses innovative ways to teach children how to keep themselves safe, for example all children are taught where to stop on the way home from school using a pictorial map. Children learn what to do in the event of a fire by following a plan on the wall of the playroom. All areas, including the fully enclosed garden, are safe, tidy and clean, making them suitable for children to play in.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY457957 Local authority Cheshire East Inspection number 10295480 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 10 Date of previous inspection 4 December 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2013 and lives in Nantwich, Cheshire. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, 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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures they are safe and suitable. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children as they engaged with activities. n Children spoke to/communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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Inspection activities

2 November 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

2 November 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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