Childminder in Bolton

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

This very experienced childminder enthusiastically welcomes children into her setting. Children are settled and show they feel safe and secure in this caring home-from-home environment. Children are familiar with the routines of the day and confidently access well-presented play materials in the main play area. They relate well to each other and interact confidently with the inspector, which demonstrates they feel emotionally secure.

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The provision requires improvement

Overall, children have lots of exposure to fun activities and experiences that help prepare them for the next stage in their learning. The childminder is very attentive to children's basic care needs. However, when she is caring for more children than she typically would, this has a negative impact on the quality of care and education she provides. For example, children are seated in highchairs for longer than is necessary, before their food is ready. They wander aimlessly as they wait for everyone to be ready to go outside. The childminder ensures children's safety as they access the child-centred garden. However, the competing demands of several very young children mean she does not engage sufficiently with every child to further develop their learning. Furthermore, the childminder fails to recognise that one child is left in cold, wet socks after playing outside. The childminder is genuinely concerned when this is identified and immediately ensures the child is

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need to do better?

n The childminder is clear about how the curriculum should be taught. She understands that what children are taught in the early years will help them to be successful in their future learning. However, there are times when the childminder struggles to provide every child with the support they need. This means children do not consistently receive a good quality of education. n Provision for outdoor learning is given a very high priority. Children routinely learn about the natural world and the changing seasons. They plant and care for fruits and vegetables and enjoy tending to the flowers, as they watch them grow. This emphasis on outdoor learning helps to promote an active lifestyle and contributes to children's emotional wellbeing. n There are times when the childminder struggles to implement planned activities. The demands of several young children mean she does not engage sufficiently with every child to further develop their learning. As a result, some children

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need to do better?

quickly lose interest, particularly when activities are dominated by more confident children. n The childminder is a positive role model who gently explains expected behaviours. She gives high levels of reassurance and supports children as they learn to recognise, understand and manage their own feelings and behaviours.

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need to do better?

28 February 2024 n Regular outings are well used to help raise children's awareness of the local community and to increase their understanding of the lives of others. Children are supported to develop a positive attitude towards diversity and inclusion. This helps to prepare them for life in modern Britain. n Children's communication and language skills are closely monitored. The childminder introduces basic sign language. Children enjoy stories and have regular opportunities to sing songs and rhymes. Overall, the childminder models language effectively, however, at times she is too eager to speak. She does not always give children the time they need to process what they have heard and to formulate their response. This means they are not getting the best opportunities to expand their vocabulary and extend their use of language. n The educational programme for physical development is strong. The childminder

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need to do better?

effectively uses the outdoor environment to help children to develop their large muscle strength, balance, and co-ordination. Children are also supported to develop the dexterity in their hands and fingers that they will need for eventual handwriting. n The childminder has a good understanding of child development overall. Despite the identified weaknesses, she generally sequences her teaching well and frequently makes learning interesting and enjoyable. This helps children to make some progress in their learning and development. n Close partnership working with parents contributes successfully to children's emotional well-being. Parents are well informed about their child's time with the childminder and how they can further support their child's learning at home. n The childminder is committed to her continued professional development. However, she has failed to fully evaluate the quality of care and education she is

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need to do better?

able to provide when increasing the number of young children in her care.

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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 first.

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Due date

consider the individual needs of the children and take steps to ensure that children's care, learning and development needs are met to a consistently good level. 28/03/2024

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should:

n give children more thinking time, so they can fully develop and test out their own ideas, process their thoughts and formulate their verbal response.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY378059 Local authority Bolton Inspection number 10304977 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 6 Date of previous inspection 7 February 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2008 and lives in Little Lever, Bolton. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3. The setting opens all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, 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 childminder 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 Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while with the childminder. 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 The childminder and inspector discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact that this had on children's learning. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

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

28 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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