Childminder in Stoke-on-Trent

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 are settled, happy and thriving at this welcoming and homely setting. The childminder spends time getting to know children before they start. She focuses on building positive relationships with the children and their families. The childminder is respectful, caring and kind. She builds strong bonds with children in her care and they clearly enjoy each other's company. The childminder provides children with a good range of accessible toys and resources that support their interests. She helps children to settle well, for example, by linking their interests to activities they enjoy. Children have warm, close relationships with the childminder, who values each child highly.

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The provision is good

The childminder provides effective support for children's personal, social and emotional development. She encourages children to make their own choices and decisions. The childminder helps children to develop an understanding of the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. For example, children benefit from opportunities to learn outdoors about nature and the wider world around them. They enjoy trips to the park and to an allotment, where they learn about growing and harvesting fruit and vegetables. The childminder uses her knowledge of children to provide stimulating learning opportunities which build on their prior learning.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a clear intent for children's learning and implements a balanced curriculum. She uses regular observations to make precise assessments of children's learning and development. She identifies next steps for children and skilfully supports their progress in planned and spontaneous interactions. The childminder wants children to develop essential skills to help prepare them for when they start school. This includes having the confidence to interact with the other children and asking for help when they need it. n The childminder provides a narrative for children as they play, modelling sounds and words, and playing peekaboo with babies. The childminder encourages young children to speak and provides specific activities to stimulate more conversations. Children snuggle up to the childminder as she reads favourite stories to them. The childminder recognises when children need additional

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need to do better?

support. She works with parents to ensure that any necessary support is provided in a timely manner. All children make good progress in their learning. n Children understand the routines in the childminder's home. They enjoy mealtimes when they sit together and engage in conversations with the childminder. The childminder teaches children the importance of sharing and turn-taking. She praises children when they achieve a task, which helps them to build bonds with her and supports their self-esteem.

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need to do better?

15 January 2024 n Strong support for children's developing understanding of mathematics is woven well through play and everyday activities. The childminder carefully develops children's understanding of mathematical language, such as 'big' and 'small', for example, as they compare sizes of toy cars and trains. She sings action songs and number rhymes with them to support their counting skills. Children enjoy mixing paint colours as they create circles on paper. n The childminder provides healthy and nutritious home-cooked meals, catering to the needs of all children. She teaches children about hygiene through singing songs when washing their hands at appropriate times. The childminder has begun to consider the importance of oral hygiene. However, this area of learning has not yet been fully developed to support young children's greater awareness of why it is important to brush their teeth regularly. n The childminder has a good working relationship with parents. She ensures that

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need to do better?

they are kept up to date on what the children have been doing during the day with her. Parents are informed about their children's current level of development and how they can support their children's learning at home. This helps to establish a consistent approach to supporting children's learning. n The childminder strives to continually improve the service she offers. She uses the feedback from children and parents, and her own observations, to identify areas to improve or focus on. However, the childminder has not yet extended her risk assessments to include household pets. The childminder is committed to improving her own knowledge and attends frequent training to advance her skills.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n strengthen children's awareness of oral hygiene even further, to support their understanding of how to keep their teeth and gums healthy n review risk assessments to ensure that they are thorough and include all aspects of the environment, including household pets.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY496243 Local authority Stoke-on-Trent Inspection number 10306572 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 8 Date of previous inspection 15 March 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for two weeks at Christmas and family holidays.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 pandemic. 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 inspector and the childminder completed a learning walk across all areas of the setting to understand how the early years provision and the curriculum is organised. n The inspector and the childminder carried out a joint observation of a teaching activity. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder and spoke to children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector took account of the spoken and written views of parents. n The inspector looked at a sample of relevant records and documentation. This included evidence about suitability and training.

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Inspection activities

15 January 2024 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

15 January 2024 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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