Childminder in Stoke-on-Trent

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

The childminder creates a warm and welcoming environment, which helps children to feel happy and safe in her care. Children develop close bonds with the childminder, who provides cuddles and affection to help children feel secure. The childminder engages with children in positive ways, for example by getting down to their level to speak calmly to them. She gets to know children well and provides them with a range of resources linked to their individual interests and learning needs. The childminder joins in with children's games, which supports children to develop their imaginative skills. Children are very comfortable and familiar with the childminder's routines.

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The provision is good

Children have good opportunities to develop their physical skills. The childminder plans for regular outdoor activities. She takes children to toddler groups, and they visit places of interest in the local community. This provides children with regular fresh air and exercise and helps them to learn about the wider world. The childminder ensures that children have good opportunities to explore and have fun. For example, children engage in creative role play with the play kitchen and food items. They express themselves effectively through words, actions and expressions. Children are confident to communicate their needs and they behave well.

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need to do better?

n The childminder plans her curriculum according to children's likes, interests and next steps. Prior to children attending, the childminder gathers key information from parents to help her to identify children's individual characteristics and care needs. The childminder monitors children's progress closely. She completes regular assessments to ensure her knowledge of children's abilities is up to date. She provides experiences to help close the gaps in children's learning. n The childminder organises her home and resources effectively to ensure that children can make choices about their play and learning. She carefully considers children's interests and knows what they enjoy playing with. However, the childminder does not consistently use opportunities to provide challenge and extend children's learning even further. n Children have frequent opportunities to develop their communication and language skills. The childminder encourages children to explore words and

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need to do better?

sounds as they sing along to their favourite songs. Children repeat familiar words and phrases in response to the childminder's warm interactions. The childminder models new vocabulary. Children are beginning to identify, name and match colours. They have access to age-appropriate books, which they happily share with the childminder. n Children benefit from good opportunities to build on their independence. The childminder encourages children to manage their own self-care needs, such as

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need to do better?

19 June 2024 toileting independently and feeding themselves. They learn the importance of handwashing as part of their routine. The childminder provides information about healthy eating and oral health to promote children's ongoing physical well- being. n Children are polite and behave well in the childminder's care. The childminder has a consistent approach to supporting children's behaviour. She offers praise for children's efforts and achievements and promotes their positive behaviour in age-appropriate ways. For example, children learn how to interact safely with younger children as they play alongside them. The childminder supports children to understand the importance of taking turns and sharing. n Partnerships with parents are successful. The childminder gathers information from parents about their children and uses this effectively to help children settle into her home. She talks with parents each day and shares photos and regular

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need to do better?

updates with them. This helps parents to talk with their children about what they have been doing and enables them to extend their learning at home. Parents speak highly of the childminder and the good progress their children have made since being in her care. n The childminder reflects on her practice and continues to deepen her knowledge and skills. For example, she has taken training and researched how to support children with additional needs in her setting. However, she does not have a precise focus on her own strengths and areas for further development to drive improvement in teaching to the highest level.

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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 focus more clearly on identifying opportunities to further extend and broaden children's individual learning across the curriculum as they play n develop self-reflection to precisely identify areas for improvement to enhance practice to the highest level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2634220 Local authority Stoke-on-Trent Inspection number 10314275 Type of provision Childminder Registers Early Years Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 3 Date of previous inspection 5 October 2023

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2021 and lives in Stoke-on-Trent. She operates from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, and from 8am to 2.30pm on Friday. The childminder is open all year round, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for three-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The inspector and the childminder completed a learning walk across all areas of the setting used by children to understand how the early years provision is organised. n A joint evaluation of a teaching activity was carried out by the inspector and the childminder. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder and spoke to children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector took account of the written and spoken views of parents. n The inspector looked at a sample of relevant records and documentation, including evidence about suitability and training.

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Inspection activities

19 June 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

19 June 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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