Childminder in Lancashire

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

The childminder provides a welcoming and stimulating environment. Children arrive excited to join in the wealth of activities available and soon become engrossed in play with their friends. They demonstrate that they feel safe and secure as, without hesitation, they wave goodbye to their parents. The childminder has created an aspirational curriculum and has a good understanding of how children develop and learn. She has a well-established routine, and children join in for circle time to discuss the activities of the day. This helps children to have a sense of belonging and a positive attitude to learning. All children are making good progress and enjoy accessing the varied areas for learning.

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The provision is good

The childminder has high expectations of children's behaviour. All children demonstrate their understanding about positive behaviour and are extremely well behaved and respectful towards each other. Older children help the younger children select their cutlery at mealtimes or take their shoes off. Children are caring and share resources and work together as they agree how to build their den.

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The provision is good

The childminder provides an abundance of opportunities for children to explore outdoor spaces and take part in physical exercise. They enjoy collecting conkers and leaves on their autumn walk. Children learn about growing things and how to care for animals as they visit petting farms and the chicken breeder. They proudly talk about the tasty omelettes they made from the eggs they had collected.

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need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, the childminder has made significant improvements to her practice to successfully address the actions raised. There is now a strong emphasis on continuous improvement and the professional development of all her assistants. The childminder regularly reviews and evaluates what works well and what can be improved. This effectively enhances the quality of care and education for the children who attend. n The childminder accurately assesses children's learning and development. Intended learning aims for children are, in the main, achieved. Children show good levels of concentration, determination, and perseverance as they join in writing and cutting activities. Older children can recognise and draw the letters from their name. However, on occasion when children are learning new skills, such as cutting with scissors, they are not fully supported in attempting this more complex activity.

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need to do better?

n The childminder supports all children to make good progress in all areas of learning. Children develop their literacy, creativity, and speech skills as they listen intently to a story about Halloween. They use new vocabulary as they explain how the witch makes 'potions'. and describe how they used 'sparkly'

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need to do better?

14 October 2024 glitter to decorate their 'cauldrons'. n The childminder uses additional government funding well. She provides a wide range of opportunities that children may not otherwise experience. For example, children enjoy pre-school gym sessions and visits to places of interest such as museums, trips to zoos and farms. The childminder's commitment to use funding in this way helps to enhance all children's learning experiences and their learning about the wider world. n The childminder uses opportunities as children play to expertly extend their learning of mathematics and critical thinking. For example, when the children instigate building a bus, the childminder provides a picture for children to use to design their vehicle. Children problem solve and decide to use round cushions as wheels and large rectangle cushions for the sides of the bus. The childminder skilfully encourages less confident children to join in by offering reassuring

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need to do better?

smiles and cuddles. All children celebrate the creation of their bus as they collapse into a heap of giggles together. n All children have lots of opportunities to develop their independence skills. Younger children help to tidy toys away. Older children self-select their crockery, set the table and serve their own portions of food at mealtimes. All children learn about self-care as they practise cleaning their teeth and attending to their personal hygiene needs. n The childminder places a great deal of emphasis on helping children to have a smooth transition to their next stage of learning. She has developed strong links with local schools and takes children to visit before they move to full time education. n Partnership with parents is strong. Parents praise the quality of care their children receive from the childminder. Parents welcome regular updates about their children's experiences and progress. They follow the topics and themes and

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need to do better?

make good use of the 'Learning bag' provided by the childminder. This provides opportunities for parents to extend their children's learning at home.

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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 arrangements that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n consider more carefully the support children require when undertaking more complex activities, to promote their learning of new skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2730283 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10348625 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 18 Number of children on roll 25 Date of previous inspection 15 April 2024

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2023 and lives in Accrington. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The childminder offers government funded places for children aged nine months to four years. She employs four assistants, who all hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided by the childminder and her assistants and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children. n Parents shared their views of the childminder and her assistants with the inspector. n The inspector viewed the premises and discussed the intent of the childminder's curriculum during a learning walk. n The childminder and the inspector evaluated an activity and discussed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to the children, the childminder and her assistants throughout the inspection. n Relevant documents were reviewed by the inspector including children's attendance records.

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Inspection activities

14 October 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

14 October 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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