Childminder in Cheshire East

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 thrive in the care of this experienced and highly committed childminder. Children separate confidently from their parents at the door and hurry inside, keen to see what activities are on offer. They are relaxed, happy and settled in the well- ordered and caring environment of the childminder's home. They confidently move between two rooms, putting away toys and choosing the next thing that they want to play with. This demonstrates their well-developed independence skills.

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The provision is good

Children have a close and highly positive relationship with the childminder. They clearly enjoy being with her, and she with them. She is a good role model and has high expectations for behaviour, well understood by the children. Children behave very well, sharing toys and speaking politely and kindly to each other.

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The provision is good

The childminder listens carefully and patiently to what the children say. She gives them time to answer questions and ensures that all children have lots of opportunities to speak. She has a focus on extending their vocabulary, introducing new and interesting words, such as 'disguised'. She also discusses with the children what would happen if the toy cars fell in lava or water. This ensures that children make good progress in developing their communication and language skills.

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need to do better?

n Overall, the childminder's curriculum supports children's learning well. She allows them to lead their own play as well as planning interesting and engaging activities for the children. However, occasionally, the activity choices are not always sufficiently sharply focused on what she intends the children to learn, which limits their impact. n Children have lots of fun with the childminder and she is responsive to their ideas and requests. Children say that they want to 'do an experiment' and look at coloured bricks through a pair of sunglasses. The childminder finds a pair of sunglasses and the children excitedly discuss how objects look different through the glasses. This develops children's thinking skills and encourages their curiosity. n The childminder takes every opportunity to use mathematical language and bring numbers and counting into conversations. Children enjoy playing with a set of wooden shapes, ordering them from biggest to smallest and discussing which

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need to do better?

shapes are the same and different. The childminder skilfully challenges them to work out how many more cars they would need to add to make a set of three cars. She counts the cars as children take them out of a container. This supports children to develop their early mathematical skills well. n Children are encouraged and supported to do things for themselves. They help themselves to a tissue, wipe their own nose and then carefully throw the tissue

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need to do better?

18 January 2024 away in the bin. They help themselves to a drink of water when they are thirsty and tidy up and put away toys without adult assistance. This demonstrates their self-confidence and growing independence skills. n Children have many opportunities to be physically active and to begin to understand about healthy life styles. They walk to the park and play on the large equipment and go to a nearby field to explore. In the warmer months children enjoy water play in the garden. Children enjoy the home cooked meals provided by the childminder and are taught about the importance of eating a range of fruit and vegetables. This supports children to learn how to make healthy choices around food and start to understand the importance of exercise. n The childminder and children regularly visit a local care home for older people, where they take part in craft sessions with the residents. They go to a

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need to do better?

community food bank and help to unload their donations of food. The childminder ensures that children are taught about the similarities and differences between themselves and others and to be respectful, appreciative, and kind. This prepares them well for life in modern Britain. n Parents have a highly positive relationship with the childminder. They speak about how their children have made good progress during their time with the childminder, especially in their communication skills. They report that their children have grown in confidence and independence. Parents appreciate the regular updates and photographs of activities that the childminder shares. This enables them to continue the learning at home.

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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 further consider the curriculum offered to children to ensure that the choice of activities fully matches the learning intent.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 304805 Local authority Cheshire East Inspection number 10304809 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 4 Date of previous inspection 1 February 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1999 and lives in the Leighton area of Crewe. She operates all year round, from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education for two- three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider 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 they ensure it is safe and suitable. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about children's learning and development with a particular focus on communication and language. n Children spoke to/communicated with the inspector during the inspection. 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.

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Inspection activities

18 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

18 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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