Childminder in Sefton

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision requires improvement

The childminder creates a calm and nurturing environment. Children are happy and settled and they enjoy spending time here with their peers. The childminder has created strong bonds with children. She comforts children when they need reassurance and recognises when they are tired or hungry. However, mealtime arrangements do not always support children's continued good health. The childminder provides children with an abundance of encouragement and praise. This helps children to feel safe and secure.

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The provision requires improvement

The curriculum that the childminder provides is variable. She places a strong focus on helping children learn about the world. For instance, children watch the changes to frogspawn as they grow into frogs in the childminder's garden. This helps children learn about the life cycle of animals. The childminder supports children's communication and language development. For instance, she promotes back and forth conversations. However, the curriculum for communication and language is not always implemented effectively to help all children acquire a wide vocabulary.

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The provision requires improvement

The childminder reminds children of rules, such as having kind hands. She responds to any disputes that occur promptly. However, the childminder does not always provide children with consistently clear expectations. Additionally, she does not explain why some unwanted behaviours are unacceptable and the effect their behaviour has on others.

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need to do better?

n The childminder does not remind children to wash their hands before eating. Additionally, she does not ensure that she minimises the risk of contamination. This is because children touch the floor and continue to play with resources such as play dough while eating. This does not support children's good health. n The childminder does not consistently support children to make healthy choices. For instance, healthy drink choices are not always readily available to children. This hinders children from developing positive lifestyle choices. n Opportunities to develop children's growing independence are well planned. Children take off their own shoes and coats and try to put their puddle suits on independently before going outside. Additionally, the learning environment has been carefully planned to allow children to access the toys by themselves. This helps children to feel a sense of pride in their achievements.

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need to do better?

n The childminder ensures that she and any assistants have completed mandatory training. However, the childminder does not yet provide effective support for any assistants to improve the delivery of the intended curriculum. Additionally, professional development opportunities are not sharply focused on improving her own knowledge. This hinders the childminder and any assistants from

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need to do better?

8 October 2024 implementing consistently good quality care and education. n The childminder helps children learn about similarities and differences between themselves and others. She takes children to China Town to celebrate Chinese New Year. This helps children learn about people and cultures that may be different to their own. n The childminder reads stories to children and talks to them about the seasonal changes that happen in Autumn. However, the curriculum for communication and language is not implemented effectively for all children. The childminder does not provide consistent opportunities for all children to be involved in conversations and to learn and use new words. This does not support all children to extend their vocabulary. n Parents say that the childminder is kind-hearted towards their children. They are happy with the regular communication they receive. The childminder invites teachers from schools children will be transitioning to into her setting. She

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need to do better?

shares information about children's development. These partnerships help to provide continuity in children's learning. n The curriculum for children's personal, social and emotional development is inconsistent. The childminder has some rules in place to promote children's positive behaviour and she talks to children about different feelings. However, children are not consistently supported to learn how to share and take turns. This leads to minor disagreements between children and hinders them from becoming fully engaged in their learning. n The childminder considers the experiences that children arrive with when planning outings. For example, she ensures that children who do not have regular access to outdoor spaces enjoy visits to parks and are taken on walks in the local area. These experiences help children to develop their physical skills.

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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 that puts children's interests first.

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Due date

promote good hygiene procedures for all children at mealtimes. 02/12/2024

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should:

8 October 2024 n strengthen opportunities to promote healthy lifestyles and good health routines n support children to learn how to share and take turns effectively n strengthen the arrangements for the supervision of any assistants to further develop their knowledge and skills n improve the delivery of the curriculum for communication and language to support all children to develop a wide vocabulary n seek professional development opportunities to improve the quality of care and education provided.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2733754 Local authority Sefton Inspection number 10368851 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 12 Number of children on roll 8 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2023 and lives in Litherland. She works with an assistant. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5pm Monday to Thursday except for bank holidays and family holidays. She offers funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The childminder shared a range of documentation with the inspector, such as evidence of the childminder and her assistants continued professional development and paediatric first-aid qualification. n Parents shared their views of the setting through written communication. The inspector took account of their written feedback. n The childminder and the inspector had discussions at appropriate times during the inspection. n Children spoke to, or communicated with, the inspector during the visit. n The childminder and the inspector carried out a joint observation.

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Inspection activities

8 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

8 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

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

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