Childminder in Blackburn with Darwen

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 and her assistants provide a warm and welcoming environment, where children's uniqueness is celebrated. The childminder offers bespoke settling- in opportunities when children first start to attend. She uses the information gathered from parents about children's care and prior learning effectively. This helps the childminder and her assistants to meet children's individual needs.

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The provision is good

The childminder and her assistants understand what motivates children in their learning. The childminder offers a range of resources to ignite children's interest and encourage their involvement. Children confidently choose what they would like to play with. They welcome adults into their play and eagerly talk about what they are doing. Children display positive 'can-do' attitudes towards their learning. They persevere and show determination when attempting to solve problems. For example, when building with blocks, children try out their different ideas in order to ensure that a tall tower stands securely. This helps children to develop their critical- thinking skills.

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The provision is good

The childminder and her assistants are consistent in their approach to managing children's behaviour. Children understand the clearly communicated behavioural expectations. They play very well together, sharing and taking turns. The childminder and her assistants offer gentle reminders and explain why some behaviours are not wanted. This helps to develop children's awareness of good behaviour and contributes to a harmonious learning environment.

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need to do better?

n The childminder uses her good knowledge of child development to identify the next steps in children's learning and development. This helps to ensure that all children make good progress from their individual starting points. However, when implementing some adult-led activities, while younger children join in, their learning is less carefully considered than that of older children. This means that, sometimes, the youngest children do not gain the absolute most from the experiences available. n The childminder and her assistants prioritise the development of children's communication and language skills. They recognise the importance of reading stories, singing songs and learning rhymes. They know that this contributes to developing children's communication skills. Children are encouraged to join in conversations in order to enhance their skills. That said, the use of background music can be distracting for some children. On occasion, children find it hard to

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need to do better?

focus during conversations. n Children are encouraged to be independent and are determined to do things for themselves. On occasion, children remember previously taught skills and practise

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need to do better?

5 February 2025 them in new situations. For example, when chopping fruit at snack time, children remember being taught how to cut carrots carefully. They remind each other of the best way to hold their banana and cut carefully under close supervision. Opportunities such as this help children to develop their confidence and independence in preparation for future learning. n The childminder provides a range of enhancement experiences for children that they may otherwise not experience. For example, children share their experiences of living on a farm as other children hold chicks and meet different animals during a farm visit. This supports children's understanding of their local community and the similarities and differences between themselves and others. n Parents are highly complimentary of the service provided by the childminder and her assistants. They value regular communication about their child's progress

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need to do better?

and the home-from-home nature of the setting. The childminder shares advice and gives ideas of things parents may try at home to help extend their child's learning further. Parents remark that the service 'contributes greatly to my child's happiness and progress'. n The childminder is an effective role model who manages her own ongoing professional development well. She ensures that the policies and procedures are understood by her assistants. The childminder offers a range of support to her assistants. She carefully targets their professional development and encourages them to increase their qualifications. This approach helps to ensure that the knowledge and skills of both the childminder and her assistants evolve over time.

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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 implementation of the curriculum so that learning opportunities are always appropriate for the youngest children n reduce background noise to help to support children's communication and language skills further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY537197 Local authority Blackburn with Darwen Inspection number 10367387 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 18 Date of previous inspection 6 February 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016 and lives in Darwen. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Thursday and from 7.30am to 5pm on Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works alongside assistants.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises her early years provision, including the aims and rationale for her early years curriculum. n The children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while with the childminder. n The inspector spoke with the childminder's assistants during the inspection. n The childminder and the inspector jointly observed a group activity and discussed the impact this had on the children's learning. n The views of parents were considered during the inspection. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

5 February 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

5 February 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

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