Childminder in St Helens

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

This nurturing childminder is exceptional at supporting children to feel secure and motivated to learn. She has thoughtfully designed the learning environment to encourage children to be curious, independent and follow their own interests. Even the youngest children know where to find favourite toys and books, which they thoroughly enjoy.

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The provision is outstanding

As the children enjoy a nutritious meal, the childminder teaches them the names of a wide variety of vegetables, including those they grow themselves. Children talk about growing strong muscles, like the butterflies they have nurtured. The childminder delivers an engaging and broad curriculum that gives all children a solid foundation in all areas of learning. The childminder's clear expectations and positive interactions support children to behave very well. The childminder has cultivated an extremely harmonious environment where children support each other. For example, older children gently help younger children to put on their sun hats, explaining it will keep them safe when it is hot.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder nurtures strong, supportive relationships with parents. She goes to great lengths to ensure that parents understand the curriculum and how they can support their children's learning at home. This partnership working has enabled children to make excellent progress. The childminder seeks the opinions of parents frequently to enhance her practice even further. For example, the childminder asks about children's extended families in order to share experiences from around the world.

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need to do better?

n The childminder delivers a highly effective and ambitious curriculum. She expertly plans how to sequence children's learning over time through play and exploration. The childminder knows children's needs exceptionally well and tailors her curriculum to meet their needs. As a result, children demonstrate high levels of concentration and remember what they learn. n Support for children's speech and language is exemplary. Children who speak English as an additional language are immersed in a language-rich environment of songs, rhymes and stories. This helps to ensure that they make exceptional progress. The childminder invites different people, such as an engineer and a vegetable producer, to visit as 'mystery readers'. This truly promotes children's excitement for reading. As a result, children become confident communicators with a wide vocabulary. n Children are highly motivated to learn and play. The childminder gives children

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need to do better?

tailored feedback which builds their confidence and provides a clear focus. For example, as young children draw attention to a ball of dough they have rolled,

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need to do better?

16 May 2024 the childminder says, 'Fantastic ball! I wonder if you can roll it thinner like a sausage.' The childminder skilfully models how to roll the dough. As a result, children are eager to join in and take pride in reaching the ambitious goals the childminder sets. n Children are very well prepared for school. The childminder has a clear vision of what skills she wants children to acquire. These skills include being able to open a lunch box, sit on a chair for longer periods during activities and to recognise their own name. The childminder boosts children's confidence by sharing home- made books showing their new school, their teacher and their classroom. Children share the book with excitement, saying, 'Look! Here's my little toilet!' n The childminder supports children's independence in a myriad of ways and sets ambitious goals for them to reach. She encourages the youngest children to tidy away their toys after playing with them. The childminder also helps children to

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need to do better?

self-regulate their emotions when they become overwhelmed. Older children gain a sense of responsibility as they help their younger friends into their seats and pour drinks. Children show tremendous pride in what they can achieve and feel empowered to believe in their abilities. n The childminder provides children with a rich set of experiences to promote an appreciation of people from different walks of life. She provides authentic garments and dressing-up clothes for children to wear, such as neckties, kimonos and the local school uniform. Children enthusiastically share a home- made book of people with different appearances such as freckles, dreadlocks and beards, saying, 'He has eyes like me.' Children begin to gain an exceptional understanding and appreciation of diversity. n The childminder has exceptionally good relationships with parents and utilises this to ensure that children's learning continues at home. She shares resources

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need to do better?

that meet children's interests while also supporting their learning. Parents receive tailored support with any concerns they have about their children's development. The childminder puts swift plans in place to target any areas of concern. As a result of this shared approach to learning, gaps in children's development close very quickly.

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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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Setting details

Unique reference number EY498760 Local authority St Helens Inspection number 10335452 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 10 Date of previous inspection 15 June 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016 and lives in St Helens, Merseyside. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays, Christmas 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 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 Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while with the childminder. n The childminder and inspector discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact that this had on children's learning. n Parents communicated with the inspector to share their views of the childminder's practice.

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Inspection activities

16 May 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

16 May 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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