Kitching, Sarah Jayne

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children feel happy and secure in the childminder's welcoming home. They know the routines and boundaries well and are confident to explore the nurturing environment. Children independently choose what they want to play with from the wide range of resources that are available to them. The childminder follows children's interests well to engage them in play. Parents say that their children thrive in the childminder's care and are always happy to attend.

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The provision is good

The childminder teaches children about the importance of being kind and helps them understand how to behave well. Children play well together and take turns. They speak kindly to others and resolve conflict effectively between themselves. They say phrases such as 'sharing is caring' and 'use kind hands' to each other. Children react well to the childminder's praise for doing the right thing, such as when they decide to share their toys with friends.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder is keen to provide a curriculum that supports children to be confident, happy and emotionally prepared for their move to school. Children show a good attitude and are making good progress in their learning. They are resilient, and they keep trying when tasks challenge them. For example, when joining a threading activity, children tell the childminder, 'I will try first,' before they accept her offer of help.

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need to do better?

n Children develop a love of books and stories. The childminder provides a wide range of familiar stories and introduces new and exciting books to children. Children ask for their favourite 'Gruffalo' book and concentrate well on finishing the story for the childminder. This supports children's early literacy skills. n The childminder supports children to communicate with confidence. She reinforces the correct pronunciation of words. Furthermore, she offers a range of words that helps to develop children's understanding. For example, they learn the words 'afraid', 'scared' and 'fear' have similar meanings. This supports their developing vocabulary. n Children are encouraged to manage their own self-care needs. They wash their own hands and chop their own fruit at snack time. Children are very keen to carry out small tasks with the childminder. As a result, children develop increasing independence that is appropriate for their age.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder asks questions to enhance children's engagement and to check what they remember. However, occasionally, the childminder asks questions in quick succession and does not always give children time to think and respond before giving them an answer. At these times, children's current knowledge and understanding are not built upon as effectively.

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need to do better?

18 October 2024 n Children learn about the importance of eating healthy food and brushing their teeth. They eagerly point out that biscuits are a treat and teeth should be 'white and shiny' and not black like the Gruffalo's teeth. As a result, children's oral health is supported well. n Professional relationships with other childcare providers are strong. The childminder successfully exchanges information with other childcare providers when they share the care of children. This provides consistency for children's learning. n Children show a good attitude to their learning and persist at tasks, such as threading small squares of fabric onto a piece of ribbon. They show good control and coordination as they direct the end of the ribbon through the small hole that has been made in the fabric. This helps the development of children's small- muscle skills in readiness for early writing. n Partnerships with parents are strong. When children first start at the setting, the

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need to do better?

childminder gathers detailed information on their child's abilities. She uses a variety of ways to share information with parents about their children's day and ongoing development. This means parents can also support children's ongoing development at home. n Children benefit from plenty of fresh air and opportunities for physical play. They understand the need to wash their hands to get rid of germs before meals and snacks. This encourages children to develop healthy lifestyles.

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 give consistently children time to think and respond when asking questions, in order to build even more precisely on their current understanding.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY419689 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10354929 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

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 8 Date of previous inspection 12 November 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2010. She lives in Heysham, Lancashire. The childminder occasionally works with an assistant. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures that they are safe and suitable. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while with the childminder. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the curriculum has been implemented and the impact that this has had on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

18 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

18 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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