Childminder in Blackburn with Darwen

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

The childminder provides a warm and welcoming learning environment. Children clearly demonstrate strong bonds with the childminder. Children are happy, settled and confident in her care. They are confident as they approach new visitors, excited to introduce themselves and show off their favourite toys. Children are keen to be involved in the wide range of activities on offer. They show a positive attitude to learning and are developing good concentration skills. For example, children persevere in building towers of blocks. They build them again when they accidentally knock one down. They show that they understand simple mathematical concepts, for example comparing size as they stack the blocks to make a tower.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder is a good role model, which is reflected in the high standards of children's behaviour. They are kind, considerate and nurturing. For example, older children invite their younger peers to join in with their play. They happily adapt their own activities to suit the needs of babies, and patiently show them how to interact with different resources. This helps to promote children's social development. Children are eager and enthusiastic learners. They access resources that ignite their curiosity and inspire their imaginative skills.

p.2

The provision is good

Children benefit from a curriculum with a strong emphasis on communication and literacy. The childminder supports children's language development by mirroring speech and introducing vocabulary as they play. Children look forward to daily opportunities to listen to stories and join in with songs and rhymes. Children know the words and actions to a wide range of songs. The successful teaching of this aspect of the curriculum has a positive impact on children developing a love of books, and on their overall language development.

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need to do better?

n The childminder identifies lots of things that she wants to teach children. These are all well informed from what the childminder knows about the children. However, the childminder does not always implement her curriculum effectively. For example, on occasion, the childminder introduces too many new pieces of information during activities. This is sometimes overwhelming for children and means they do not benefit from becoming deeply engaged in their learning. n The childminder wants her curriculum to be exciting and inviting. However, sometimes in her enthusiasm, she does not plan the environment so that it supports the intent of the curriculum. For example, the wide range of resources added to activities distracts from, rather than enhances, children's learning. n The importance of good personal hygiene is explained to children well. Children show their understanding of this as they wash their hands before meals and

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need to do better?

after toileting. The childminder talks with children about the importance of

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need to do better?

20 February 2024 eating a good diet, and children explain they need to eat their lunch to help build their muscles. n The childminder provides children with good opportunities to be independent, such as dressing and undressing themselves in the role-play outfits. She helps children to learn new skills. For example, she explains to them how to put on their shoes and socks and to fasten buttons. Children are keen to try for themselves and are pleased when they dress themselves and become mermaids. n Children have plenty of opportunities to learn about their wider community. They regularly visit parks, shops, playgroups and other places of local interest. Children develop good social skills and enjoy playing alongside others. They are kind and helpful towards each other. Their behaviour is consistently very good. n The childminder provides lots of information for parents about their children. She uses daily diaries and conversations to explain to parents how their children

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need to do better?

have been, the care they have received and how they are developing. Parents can add their own comments so there is a shared approach to supporting each child's development. Parents comment positively about the childminder. They value the regular updates she provides about their children's progress. n The childminder is committed to improving her knowledge and skills continuously. She frequently reflects on her practice and evaluates the effectiveness of her provision. She meets with other childminders to share good practice. This helps to contribute to the good learning environment that children benefit from.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

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

p.3

should:

n strengthen the implementation of the intended curriculum that identifies more precisely the most important skills and knowledge children need to learn during activities, to sharpen the focus of teaching and interactions n consider how to use available resources to enhance activities and help ensure that children can focus well on the intended learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 503809 Local authority Blackburn with Darwen Inspection number 10308093 Type of provision Childminder

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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 4 Date of previous inspection 8 March 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2001. She works together with her husband who is also a registered childminder. The childminder operates all year round, from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. She holds an appropriate qualification at level 3.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk. n Parents shared their views and the inspector took these into account. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder and spoke to children during the inspection.

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Inspection activities

20 February 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

20 February 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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