Smith, Emma

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder offers an inviting and stimulating environment where all children thrive. She has built warm and nurturing attachments with the children and understands their individual needs exceptionally well. Children relish making choices, and they instigate their own play and explore the environment with enthusiasm. They move freely around and demonstrate that they are completely happy, settled and content.

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The provision is outstanding

The curriculum offers children rich experiences where they are free to explore, investigate and experience through real-life situations. The childminder has a wealth of knowledge and is forest school and beach school trained. Children enjoy daily adventures and outings. For example, children visit the farm to watch lambs being born. They also use real tools to cut wood to make fires as they visit their private woodland. The childminder carefully considers how opportunities will directly support children's learning and development. She offers consistent opportunities for children to build on their experiences, practise their skills and revisit prior learning.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder is an excellent role model and has very high expectations for every child in her care. She has very clear behaviour boundaries in place. The childminder helps children to understand their emotions and the impact of their behaviour on their peers. She offers constant praise and encouragement and teaches children to be kind and thoughtful. As a consequence, children demonstrate an understanding of each other's needs and independently help one another as they play. Children's behaviour is superb.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has developed a highly sequenced curriculum that engages children in learning. As children sit together at the art table, children as young as eighteen months old pick up a pencil and ask for a piece of paper. This shows they are aware of expectations. Pre-school children write the letters of their name and the childminder's name. Children demonstrate that they are creative and imaginative. They are gaining the skills they need as they prepare to move to school. n The childminder offers learning in creative ways. For example, children identify numbers by observing speed signs as they drive past in the car. They also use standard rulers and measures as they learn about size and length. The childminder engages children through their interests. For example, children who are fascinated by minibeasts dig for worms and identify the different beetles and bugs they observe. Children are curious about the environment and have high

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need to do better?

25 July 2024 n Children's communication and language are superbly promoted. The childminder provides a running commentary and encourages children to use words in context. She uses simplified language with younger children and asks older children questions, which supports their thinking skills. Children assign each other roles as they work together to build a den. They ask each other questions, identify the tools they need and work together to solve problems. Children are confident communicators who are able to negotiate with one another and share ideas. n Children go on outings every day and build their knowledge through experience. The childminder plans these outings with a clear focus. For example, children learn about life cycles as they care for butterflies in their chrysalises. They also catch crabs at the beach. Children are developing the knowledge they need to appreciate and understand the natural world.

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need to do better?

n Healthy lifestyles are promoted consistently well. Children demonstrate that they know it is good to eat fruit and to limit sweets for good oral hygiene. Children are confident in their physical abilities. They independently demonstrate yoga poses on a mat. They say that yoga is good because 'it makes your body stretchy.' Children have a strong understanding of the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle. n Partnerships with parents are superb. The childminder consults and involves parents in all aspects of assessing their children's development. She shares a wide range of activities to support home learning and shares meaningful information, such as 'talking tips' cards. Parents say that they feel the childminder 'cares like a mother and teaches like a teacher,' and that their children thrive. These partnerships promote a deeply nurturing level of care for children. n The childminder is proactive in forging partnerships with other professionals. She

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need to do better?

shares information, such as planning, with staff from other settings that children attend. The childminder uses a 'home-link book' that allows parents to see information from all carers each day. The childminder invites teachers into her setting as children prepare to start school. These partnerships help to provide a consistency of care as children transition to school. n The childminder, who is highly qualified and experienced, is diligent in attending training. She is not complacent and highly values continued professional development. Training has a positive impact on her provision, as she implements new ideas and strategies with enthusiasm. The childminder consistently develops her knowledge to improve outcomes for children.

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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.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 308394 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10346948 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 9 Date of previous inspection 28 August 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1996 and lives in Freckleton, Lancashire. The childminder operates all year round, from 7.45am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for three-year-old children. She holds early years professional status.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider 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 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. n Children spoke to with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder. n Parents shared their views of the setting through written comments. 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

25 July 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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