Metcalf, Michelle Louise

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

The childminder and her assistant provide a welcoming, homely environment, where children form close bonds and show they feel safe in their care. They receive lots of praise and encouragement. The childminder and her assistant are positive role models and, as a result, the children have positive attitudes to learning and behave well. The childminder provides an ambitious curriculum, which ensures all children make good progress from their starting points. She is passionate about helping all the children to learn. They explore the environment with confidence and independently choose activities to play with. The childminder knows the children well and incorporates their interests into their learning to encourage their engagement. The childminder recognises when to stand back so that children can make their own decisions and find solutions to problems.

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The provision is good

The children understand the routines well. For instance, children know when it is sleep time as they recognise their own feelings and walk to their cots. Children are kind and caring towards one another. They take turns and work in partnership to agree what they would like to do. This builds on their communication and negotiation skills.

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The provision is good

Through varied and exciting activities, the children learn about people who are different from themselves and gain knowledge of different cultural and religious celebrations. The childminder promotes children's good health and well-being. Children have regular access to outdoors for fresh air and exercise, and enjoy walks and visits in the local park.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a good knowledge of child development. She ensures that her curriculum is based on the children's needs and interests to build on what they already know and can do. The childminder regularly observes and assesses children to check on the progress they are making. Consequently, children make good levels of progress in their development and learning. n The curriculum enables the children to lead their play as much as possible. She encourages children's curiosity and independence. For example, children independently move their own chair and move it to the table when they want to sit down to complete an activity. n The activities and experiences children enjoy with the childminder prepare them for life in modern Britain. Children are respectful to each other and display good manners. n The childminder encourages language and engages in frequent communication with children. She skilfully helps them to build and extend their language skills.

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need to do better?

For example, she uses a variety of words, such as huge and enormous, which

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need to do better?

18 April 2024 the children then repeat and use. n Children develop a love for books and delight in having stories read to them. They choose their own stories and say which is their favourite. Children know what will happen next in their favourite stories and that the images in a book have meaning. They talk about the pictures and make connections with these and their own life experiences. n The childminder identifies any gaps in learning and has begun to implement some strategies. However the childminder does not always plan the precise next step to fully maximise children's learning potential. n The childminder supports children to make healthy choices and follow a healthy lifestyle. They have regular opportunities for physical exercise. As well as playing outside in the garden, they regularly walk, play in the woods and visit local parks. n Partnership with parents is strong. Communication with parents is highly

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need to do better?

effective. Parents report that their children are well cared for, have enjoyable experiences with the childminder and have progressed well. Parents receive regular updates about children's progress and development. n The childminder is committed to improving her professional development. She is proactive and ensures that mandatory training is up to date. The childminder explores new training online to maintain good practice.

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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 refine the planning of activities, so that they are more precisely tailored to meet children's individual learning needs to help them make the best possible progress.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY500974 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10335499 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 8 Number of children on roll 8 Date of previous inspection 18 June 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016 and lives in Cheslyn Hay, Walsall. She works with an assistant. The childminder holds an early years qualification at level 3. She 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.

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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 childminder. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure they are safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their early years foundation stage curriculum. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about children's learning and development with a particular focus on communication and language. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children. 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

18 April 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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