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 Good

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The provision is good

The childminder provides children with a calm, relaxed and homely environment. She builds strong bonds with the children who attend. The childminder has a kind and gentle nature, and children enjoy being in her company. The childminder obtains pertinent information from parents of new starters to build a picture of each child before they start. She quickly focuses on getting to know the interests and fascinations of the children once they are with her. This helps new children to settle quickly. The childminder offers a curriculum that develops independence and cooperative play. The childminder promotes children's independence well. For example, older children select their own activity bags to use, while babies reach out and select their own instruments to play. Healthy lifestyles and exercise are promoted alongside oral health activities. Children learn to manage their own self- care routines. This develops their confidence in their own abilities.

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The provision is good

The childminder plans activities to help children learn about the natural world. For instance, children enjoy trips to parks and the zoo. The childminder shares pictures of activities with parents and provides regular updates about children's well-being and development. Parents see the good progress their children are making with the childminder. They value the varied and creative activities she plans and the experiences children gain in her care. Children are motivated and keen learners. They concentrate and engage for longer periods of time. The childminder supports children to acquire the skills and attitudes they need for their next stage of learning and their eventual move on to school. All children make good progress from their starting points.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has thorough knowledge about the children who attend. She takes time to develop strong partnerships with parents that support the future experiences children have. The childminder uses her knowledge about starting points and family experiences to tailor the curriculum and teaching, providing support where it is needed the most. n Children partake in engaging experiences that are linked to their personal interests. Children benefit from meaningful commentary as they play, with the childminder successfully motivating children to continue practising their skills. For example, babies play with a hand tambourine while the childminder makes matching noises and rhymes. n The childminder has completed all mandatory training and keeps up to date with changes to ensure that she has a good knowledge and understanding of how to promote children's safety and welfare. The childminder has appropriate

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need to do better?

knowledge of how to support children's learning. However, she does not always tailor her professional development sharply enough to fully enhance all children's

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need to do better?

22 January 2025 quality of education. n Children deepen and broaden their knowledge of the wider world. They visit local parks, libraries and zoos. Children engage in activities with animals, such as feeding and bathing guinea pigs and treating household dogs gently. n Children are immersed in an environment full of music, nursery rhymes and stories. The childminder selects stories that introduce new learning and consolidate previous learning, such as animal sounds, numbers and shapes. Children lift flaps and touch 'feely' books as they are increasingly engaged and enthused. The childminder uses illustrations to provoke discussion. During a story about a worm, children turn pages and point while laughing with joy as the childminder wiggles around with them. n The childminder engages children in a range of enjoyable activities. They make Chinese lanterns with scissors and glue before colouring them in. The

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need to do better?

childminder skilfully differentiates this task for all ages. Children explore a dentist's kit, and the childminder role models how to use the apparatus. Children are excited to use the inspector as a patient. They follow the childminder's encouragement to develop their own ideas, such as checking the inspector's mouth with a mirror. n Children are developing healthy lifestyles. They have access to fresh air and regular physical activity. The childminder prepares healthy and nutritious meals that also support children's specific dietary requirements. Children enjoy drinking their fresh water and show developing skills as they use open cups. n The childminder communicates well with parents about the progress children make. Parents appreciate the regular exchange of children's experiences, which supports next steps in learning. The childminder shares activity ideas and local experiences with parents to help extend children's learning. Parents feel fully

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need to do better?

supported by the childminder and appreciate the warm and responsive care children receive.

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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 use of further training opportunities to strengthen existing knowledge and teaching skills and further enhance outcomes for children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY544795 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10368379 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 5 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection 18 March 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Ormskirk, Lancashire. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for family holidays.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder and inspector discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact that this had on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact on children's learning.

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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

22 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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