Childminder in Bolton

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

The childminder has created a home-from-home environment, where children feel safe. She provides children with an ambitious curriculum that is built on what they already know and can do. For example, she takes children to the local museum to build on their interest in dinosaurs. Children relish these visits and show a good understanding of the history of dinosaurs. The childminder is a good role model. Overall, children behave well and show positive attitudes towards their learning.

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The provision is good

The childminder gives high priority to children's creativity. The curriculum focuses on helping children to express themselves through painting, singing and dancing. Older children learn about different artists and listen to a wide range of music. Their singing fills the air while dancing with the childminder. Younger children are confident to take on new challenges. For example, they beam with delight while learning how to operate cause-and-effect toys. They are excited to learn how to make dough. Children are keen to share their success and are proud to showcase their artwork.

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The provision is good

The childminder teaches children incredibly well about healthy living. Children learn how to make healthy meals, such as vegetable soup. The childminder encourages them to be physically active and takes them to the play centre. Children show excellent balance and coordination skills. Children develop healthy habits and follow good hygiene routines. The childminder supports children to become independent from a young age. Children help to tidy toys away and tend to their own physical needs. Children develop the necessary skills in readiness for their eventual move on to school.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has addressed the weaknesses raised at the last Ofsted inspection. She has welcomed support from the local authority. Self-evaluation is accurate, for example the childminder identified that she had not kept up to date with training. She has now developed a successful programme of professional development. This has improved her knowledge of early education and she has redeveloped play areas to promote awe and wonder. Children immerse themselves into play and show positive attitudes towards their learning. n The childminder uses her excellent understanding of child development to plan a well-thought-out curriculum for children. She is an advocate for active learning and real-life experiences. For example, children relish going on nature hunts and visiting the local park. They spoke excitedly about planting seeds and growing vegetables at a local allotment. Children thrive in the care of the childminder.

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need to do better?

n The childminder speaks clearly and accurately to children. She introduces new vocabulary and teaches them how to pronounce letter sounds correctly.

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need to do better?

30 January 2025 However, at times, the childminder asks children questions in quick succession and does not allow them sufficient time to respond. This does not support children's communication and language skills. n The childminder teaches children about the world around them. Children enjoy learning about celebrations and festivals. For example, children are enthralled while making dragons for Chinese New Year. The childminder teaches children that it is okay to be different. Children develop a good awareness of similarities and differences between themselves and others. This helps to support children's early understanding of what life is like in modern Britain. n In the main, children behave well and are kind towards others. However, the childminder is not consistent when helping to support children to manage their own feelings. This means that some children are not always aware of strategies that they could use to help them to regulate their own feelings and emotions.

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need to do better?

n The childminder fosters a love of reading. She sits with children and reads to them with animation. Children snuggle up with the childminder and show high levels of concentration. The childminder takes children to the local library. Children take books home to share with their families. They are facinated while enacting the roles of characters from their favourite stories. n The childminder has established effective partnerships with parents and carers. She keeps them updated about their children's time at the setting. Parents commend the childminder on her loving and caring nature. Links with external childcare professionals and other childminders are securely in place. n The childminder has planned her outdoor area to support children's large-muscle skills. Children cannot contain their excitement to play outdoors. They show excellent physical dexterity while using climbing apparatus. Children use the

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need to do better?

slide with increasing skill and coordination. They cheer each other on while mastering new skills, such as learning how to ride a bike. Children make excellent progress in their physical development.

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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 allow children more time to think and respond to questions, to better support their communication and language skills n better support children to learn how to manage their own feelings and emotions.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY378059 Local authority Bolton Inspection number 10339731 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 5 Date of previous inspection 28 February 2024

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2008 and lives in Little Lever, Bolton. The childminder holds an early years qualification at level 3. The setting opens all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for the curriculum. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children. n The childminder and the inspector completed a joint observation of an activity, and afterwards discussed the quality of teaching and learning. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation. This included evidence of the childminder's suitability, training record and safeguarding documents. n The inspector took account of written feedback provided by parents. n The inspector held discussions with children and the childminder at appropriate times during the inspection.

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Inspection activities

30 January 2025 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

30 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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