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 Not applicable

p.1

The provision is good

Children are very happy in the care of this experienced childminder. The childminder makes sure that she and any assistants know the children very well. They have a caring manner and make children feel welcome and happy. The childminder has created a curriculum that she adapts to meet the individual needs of the children. Children keenly engage in the wide range of opportunities provided as part of the curriculum. This enables all children to make good progress. The childminder shares information about daily activities and next steps with parents to support a consistent approach in children's learning.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder is mindful of letting children explore in their own way, and they readily test out their ideas. Children are fascinated to mix paint using pipettes and create handprint murals with the resulting colours. They make a large gingerbread man with whipped cream and add different food colourings to experiment with the effects they can create. The childminder readily explores with the children and inspires the younger children very well. Older children talk about colours and use mathematical language for quantity, shape and size.

p.2

The provision is good

Children learn about the natural world as they regularly visit a community allotment to help plant and grow food. They share the produce with their families, and the childminder supports them to extend their learning through discussions in the setting. Children develop a keen interest in books and stories in the setting. Children know that books can be used for different purposes. For example, they learn about different fruits and vegetables in information books and talk about their own emotions while reading 'The Colour Monster'.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how children learn and develop. She supports children's independence by providing space for their individual belongings to be stored. Children are taught to change their footwear to slippers while indoors, to keep younger children safe while crawling. n The childminder incorporates mathematics into the daily activities and routines of the setting. For instance, she supports children to count to 10 and beyond during an autumnal sensory tray activity. Young children are supported to make and name shapes, such as 'square' and 'circle', as they enjoy exploring the resources. They make the connection that these shapes are visible in and around them in real life on walks and elsewhere in the setting. n Children generally behave well and are reminded of behaviour boundaries. However, when children display unwanted behaviours, such as when sitting for snack, the childminder does not always make sure that she and any assistants

p.2

need to do better?

have the same consistent approach to help resolve it quickly. As a result,

p.2

need to do better?

26 September 2024 children do not gain a clear understanding of the impact their behaviour has on others. n Overall, the childminder supports any assistants well. She ensures that they understand their responsibilities to promote children's safety and welfare. For example, she ensures that any assistant has a good understanding of safeguarding and holds a first-aid certificate. n The childminder works effectively with other professionals. She is proactive in working with the other settings that children attend, such as completing the progress checks for children aged between two and three years together. She monitors children's learning closely to identify any gaps and has the information she needs to make appropriate referrals to external agencies, if required. n The childminder has developed excellent relationships with children's parents. Parents are happy with the care their children receive. They speak fondly of the

p.2

need to do better?

childminder, describing her as 'extended family', and praise the support she offers the children. The childminder shares information effectively with parents during collection times, for example about children's daily activities and progress in their development. This supports children's continued learning at home. n The childminder has a clear ethos for her provision. She provides a varied curriculum that is based largely on learning through play and outdoor experiences. Children benefit from frequent visits to a community allotment, parks, zoos and other local attractions. The childminder regularly refers to previous learning to ensure that children's knowledge is embedded and builds over time. For example, children recall information about what they see on visits to the allotment and link to the autumn sensory resources. n The childminder takes part in regular professional development. She recognises

p.3

need to do better?

when children might require additional support and undertakes training to help her to address any issues promptly. For instance, she has completed additional training and research into supporting children who speak English as an additional language. The childminder reports on the positive impact this has had on children, such as improving their ability to talk in sentences.

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 implement more consistent behaviour management strategies that support children to better understand their emotions and the impact their behaviour has on themselves and others.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2757837 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10349504 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 6 Number of children on roll 10 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in October 2023 and lives in Rishton, Blackburn. She operates term time only, from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. They provide 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 The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises her early years provision, including the aims and rationale for the early years foundation stage curriculum. 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 provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

p.4

Inspection activities

26 September 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

26 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.5

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