Childminder in Halton

Overall effectiveness Good

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

p.1

The provision is good

The childminder creates a nurturing environment. Children are happy and settled and they thoroughly enjoy spending time here. The childminder creates a broad and balanced curriculum. She plans activities that interest and excite children. Children show perseverance as they construct a train track and dress dolls up in clothes. They keep on trying when they find activities difficult and demonstrate positive attitudes to their learning.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder takes children on a variety of outings. For example, they go to local parks, the museum and Norton Priory. The childminder meets up with other childminders to attend play groups. This provides children with opportunities to socialise with larger groups of children.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder is a positive role model and she has high expectations of all children. For instance, the childminder helps younger children to wait for their turn in jumping games. The childminder teaches children how to care for animals. For example, children learn how to stroke pets gently. They talk fondly about taking her pet dog out for walks and helping to feed him. The childminder teaches children about different feelings. She talks to children about tasks they can do to cheer themselves up if they are feeling sad or angry. This helps children learn to regulate their own emotions. All children make progress from their starting points.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder knows children well. She understands children's starting points and where children are up to in their development. The childminder plans appropriate next steps in children's learning. She knows when children are tired or hungry and responds appropriately. This helps to ensure children's needs are met. n Overall, the curriculum for communication and language is implemented well. The childminder gets down onto children's level and joins in with their independent play. However, the childminder does not always introduce children to new vocabulary during group activities. This occasionally prevents children from building upon their vocabulary further. n The curriculum for physical development is implemented well. Children ride around the childminder's garden on scooters and ride on cars. They develop their hand-eye coordination as they thread rings onto pipe cleaners. Children enjoy wrapping string around their pine cones to make them 'cosy'. These

p.2

need to do better?

opportunities help to develop children's smaller muscle movements in readiness for early writing. n Children gain a love of books from a young age. The childminder reads stories with plenty of enthusiasm. She encourages children to talk about what is

p.2

need to do better?

24 September 2024 happening in the book. Toddlers turn the pages in books gently and handle books with care. This helps to develop children's early reading skills. n The curriculum for mathematical development is promoted well. The childminder supports children to count out objects and they use their fingers to represent how many objects they can see. This helps to develop children's early counting skills. n The childminder encourages children to recognise similarities and differences between themselves, including their hair and eye colour. She provides opportunities for children to try different foods from other countries. However, the curriculum does not always extend children's knowledge about different cultures and religions. This sometimes prevents children from developing a deeper awareness and tolerance for people and families that may be different to their own. n Children behave well. They are kind and caring to each other. For example, older

p.2

need to do better?

children give cuddles to the younger children as they sing songs together. Children listen attentively to the childminder's instructions and follow them well. For instance, they work well as a team to tidy all of the toys away. The childminder's clear instructions help children understand the positive behaviour that is expected from them. n The childminder values the importance of continuous professional development. She ensures that her assistant keeps her mandatory training up to date. She accesses professional development courses to keep her knowledge and skills refreshed. For example, the childminder recently accessed training to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. This helps to further develop the childminder's practice. n Parent partnerships are strong. Parents are complimentary about the many trips the childminder takes children on. The childminder keeps parents updated about

p.3

need to do better?

children's learning and discusses children's next steps in learning with them. This helps to provide continuity in children's development.

p.3

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.

p.3

should:

n strengthen ways to extend children's vocabulary in group activities to further develop their language skills n enhance children's understanding of people and communities that may be different to their own.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY405390 Local authority Halton Inspection number 10351346 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 9 Date of previous inspection 29 October 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2010. She operates all year round, from 8am to 5.30pm from Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with an assistant.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The childminder joined the inspector on a learning walk. She talked to the inspector about the curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided. She discussed children's progress with the childminder. n The childminder and inspector carried out a joint observation. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation. This included evidence of the childminder's suitability, training record and safeguarding documents. n The inspector took account of written feedback provided by parents.

p.4

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.

p.4

Inspection activities

24 September 2024 24 September 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6