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 Requires improvement

p.1

The provision is good

Children are confident and happy with this childminder. She knows children well and recognises when children are tired or hungry and swiftly attends to them.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are keen to explore the environment and take part in the activities on offer. They enjoy spending time with the childminder and invite her into their play. The childminder offers the children the opportunity to make some 'reindeer dust' with oats. Children enjoy spreading the oats over a tray and explore how they feel. They pinch oats between their fingers and watch as they stick to their skin. The childminder talks to children about what the oats can be used for and which animals might eat them. Children learn that adding milk to the oats makes them into porridge and animals eat them dry. They discover that throwing oats into the air makes them fall onto themselves. The childminder joins in and children laugh as they copy each other.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder helps children to develop a love of books. Children excitedly choose a familiar book about a bear and take this to the childminder to read. They recall parts of the story and predict why the bear might live in a cave. The childminder asks them questions, which helps to develop their thinking skills.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder has a clear curriculum of what she wants children to learn. She teaches children to be independent and gain confidence for when they move on to school. She prioritises helping them to make relationships with others and being able to express themselves. This helps children to be ready for their next stage of learning. n The childminder knows children well. She develops strong relationships with their families and continually gains information about things children like, any changes to their routines and what new things they have learned outside of her setting. She then incorporates this into children's development plans. As a result, children make continuous progress. n The childminder provides a range of activities for children which they are keen to explore. They use their imagination to suggest ideas during their play. However, at times, the childminder is quick to add her own ideas into children's play and

p.2

need to do better?

follows this lead, rather than allowing children to explore their ideas further. This means that children do not always have opportunities to fully extend their learning. n Children behave well. They show respect for others and use manners when asking for something. The childminder helps older children understand that younger children are still learning how to share and supports them to help each other. This helps children to understand the feelings of others.

p.2

need to do better?

14 December 2023 n Children learn to be independent. They play with dressing-up costumes and practise putting different clothes on and taking them off again. They eat independently and learn to manage their own personal care. This helps children to become self-sufficient. n Parents speak highly of the childminder. They say they are 'over the moon' with the care their children receive and know they are happy when they are with the childminder. They comment on the skills their children have learned, such as gaining confidence and socialising with others. Parents say they receive regular communication about what their children have been doing and what stage of development they are at. This helps children to experience consistency of care. n The childminder is conscientious about developing her knowledge and skills. She makes links with other professionals to find out what training is available to her. She also seeks out information and research which improves her own

p.2

need to do better?

professional development. She ensures her assistant has the same opportunities to improve her professional development and they complete any mandatory training which is required. This means that children are provided with experiences which continually improve.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of how to keep children safe. She recognises signs a child may be at risk of harm and knows what to do if a concern should arise. She keeps up to date with safeguarding training and ensures her assistant has the knowledge she needs to respond to any concerns she may have about the children who attend. The childminder carries out risk assessments of her environment, indoors and outdoors, to make sure it is safe for children to use. She considers the potential risks when taking children on outings. She has procedures in place so that she can respond appropriately if an emergency should happen. This helps to keep children safe.

p.3

should:

n make better use of opportunities that arise during activities to follow children's ideas and extend their learning even further.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2607032 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10283756 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 9 Date of previous inspection 28 February 2023

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2020 and lives in South Staffordshire. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with an assistant.

p.4

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 childminder. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their curriculum. 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 Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

p.4

Inspection activities

14 December 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

14 December 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6