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

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The provision is good

The childminder provides a happy, highly nurturing and homely environment. Children have strong bonds with the childminder, who listens intently to what children have to say. This results in older children being confident to express their needs and thoughts, and to share their experiences from home.

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The provision is good

Older children spend a long time concentrating on the same activity as the childminder supports them to adapt it and learn different skills. For example, older children show great enjoyment exploring different metals with magnets. They ask questions as to why only some objects stick to the magnet. The childminder introduces new vocabulary, such as 'electrons', when answering their questions. Children are focused and engaged in their play. Consequently, they demonstrate positive attitudes to learning.

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The provision is good

The childminder ensures that all children have opportunities to explore their physical abilities. For example, he encourages older children to develop their finger dexterity as they peel and cut their own fruit for snack. Furthermore, he uses these opportunities to increase children's understanding of managing risks for themselves. When children ask for help, he encourages them to keep trying. Children persevere and beam with pride as they succeed in peeling their own fruit. Children's physical development, resilience and independence skills are supported well. Children are well prepared for their next stage in learning, including school.

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need to do better?

n The childminder skilfully introduces children to new vocabulary by repeating words and phrases and encouraging children to use them in context. Children are inquisitive learners and show an increased ability to ask questions to find out more. This is welcomed by the childminder, who responds clearly based on each child's level of understanding. In this way, children experience interesting back- and-forth conversations. Children's communication and language skills are developing well. n The childminder teaches children about the importance of health and well-being. Children confidently know to wash their hands before eating and after playing outside. The childminder also promotes children's understanding of hygiene routines, such as teeth brushing. Children receive consistent messages about practices that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. n The childminder carries out effective risk assessments and checks to ensure that

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need to do better?

children can play safely in his home, garden and during outings. He helps children to learn about festivals during the year and teaches them about the world. Children learn through regular outings and visits to playgroups, the park, the farm and museums. These opportunities help children to learn about

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need to do better?

9 December 2024 different people, communities and life in modern Britain. n The childminder has strong partnerships with parents, who comment on the efficiency with which the co-childminders strengthen the learning experiences for children. Parents praise the regular and highly effective two-way communication that the childminder provides. They feel fully informed about their child's development. n The childminder has close relationships with the local school and other settings that children attend. This ensures that transitions between his home and other settings are as smooth as possible for children. These partnerships help support a continuity of care for children. n The childminder completes a range of training courses to keep his knowledge and understanding up to date. He works closely with his co-childminder and supports her to continue with her own professional development. They work well together and regularly reflect on their practice to ensure that children are

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need to do better?

provided with a good-quality provision. n Children learn to behave well. The childminder plans activities where children learn to take turns and share resources. Older children and younger children play together cooperatively. However, the childminder does not fully consider how to fully enhance the youngest children's development. On occasions, he focuses more attention on the learning needs of the older children present when children of mixed ages join him for adult-led activities.

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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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should:

n review planning and teaching during focused activities to enhance learning and engagement for babies and younger children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2757355 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10349735 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 6 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 December 2023 and lives in Bacup, Lancashire. He works alongside a co-childminder. They operate from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded care and early education for children aged from nine months to four years.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how he ensures that they are safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises his early years provision, including the aims and rationale for his curriculum. n The inspector and childminder carried out a joint observation of a group activity. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this has on the children's learning. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of documentation on request. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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Inspection activities

9 December 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

9 December 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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