Childminder in Staffordshire

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

The childminder focuses on preparing children for the next stage in their learning. For instance, she strongly encourages their confidence, independence and engagement. This positively contributes towards children feeling secure in themselves and their abilities. The childminder models various physical movements while dancing with ribbons, such as hopping and jumping. This is done before encouraging children to showcase their own unique movements, which their peers energetically copy. This highlights a safe and supportive environment.

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The provision is good

Children develop a strong sense of belonging within a group. For example, they help their peers to remember to take only one tissue when drying their hands, thank those who help them, and happily offer to help others to tidy up. These examples demonstrate caring behaviour and strong social awareness.

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The provision is good

The childminder is highly attuned to children's interests and extends their learning through play. For example, when children show an interest in the visitor's laptop, she introduces other technology-related toys to enhance their experiences. When children proudly wear a jester's hat, the childminder shows them that it has bells and encourages them to shake their head. Children enthusiastically say, 'Look at me,' showing high levels of enjoyment in the sounds that they make and can hear.

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need to do better?

n The childminder's approach to behaviour management is excellent. For example, when children fall over while hugging, she checks if they are okay, praises them for their lovely cuddle, and kindly helps them to understand the need to be more careful around their younger peers. This helps children to understand how their actions affect others. When they have small disagreements over popular resources, the childminder calmly initiates turn-taking games, which helps children to move past the conflict and enjoy sharing. n Children demonstrate a strong understanding of the world around them, with their play reflecting the depth of their knowledge. For example, they naturally pick up a stethoscope, place it on the childminder's chest and say, 'I'm listening to your heart, lub-dub, lub-dub.' Children demonstrate exceptional social skills as they eagerly involve others in their play. This creates an engaging environment.

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need to do better?

n The childminder takes the time to understand children's dietary needs and ensures that routines around food are followed. During mealtimes, she is present to monitor children's safety, such as encouraging them to sit down while they eat. This promotes a safe and calm environment that helps children to develop strong habits. n The childminder promotes children's independence well. For example, she encourages them to recognise when it is important to wash their hands, such as

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need to do better?

29 January 2025 after blowing their nose. This helps children to develop a strong understanding of health and hygiene. Children independently wash and dry their own hands and, without prompting, dispose of their paper towel in the bin. They proudly raise their hands and say, 'The germs are gone.' n Children enjoy selecting and exploring their own books, often pretending to be the characters that they see. When the childminder reads to children, she brings the story to life by using different tones and speeds of voice, which creates excitement and builds anticipation. To extend learning, the childminder introduces scenes from stories for children to arrange in the correct order. This helps to strengthen children's comprehension skills. n The childminder keeps parents and carers well informed and involved in children's learning, encouraging open communication. Parents' feedback is very positive, noting that their children are happy, thriving and well cared for in a

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need to do better?

safe, home-from-home environment. They appreciate how the childminder provides children with many learning opportunities through play and can see the progress their children have made in their confidence, communication and drawing abilities. n The childminder introduces some mathematical concepts to children, such as using terms like 'behind' and 'in front' while dancing with ribbons and explaining their growth by saying they are getting 'bigger'. However, she does not consistently use her interactions to deepen children's understanding of numbers or encourage counting. This does not help children to reach their full mathematical potential. n The childminder reflects on her teaching and the effectiveness of activities, identifying ways to enhance children's learning experiences. She often engages in professional development opportunities, including attending online meetings with other providers and participating in webinars. This helps to expand her

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need to do better?

knowledge and enhance the support she provides to children.

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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 enhance the curriculum for mathematics further to ensure that children have frequent opportunities to count and explore numbers.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY542149 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10372519 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 14 Date of previous inspection 24 April 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and is located in Cannock, Staffordshire. She operates her provision all year round from 7am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 5. She is eligible to receive funding for two-, three-, and four- year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder discussed her intentions for children's learning with the inspector. n The childminder and inspector discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and its impact on children's learning. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder about safeguarding and how she evaluates her practice. n The inspector considered the views of parents through verbal discussions and feedback forms. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children throughout the day and assessed the impact on children's learning. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection, involving the inspector in their play. n The inspector reviewed relevant documentation, including evidence regarding the suitability of those living and working in the household.

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Inspection activities

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

29 January 2025 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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