Childminder in Lancashire

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive with this childminder and get off to the best possible start in life. The childminder exposes children to an extensive range of rich experiences. These build children's curiosity, independence and resilience over time. Children learn to be highly respectful of the community in which they are fully immersed. The childminder plans visits to local butchers, shops and walks in the environment. She also supports children to give back to the community. The childminder and the children she cares for are part of 'Baxenden Wombles', where they take responsibility for keeping the environment clean by litter picking.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder knows the children she cares for exceptionally well. She plans learning outcomes based on individual children's next steps. Due to this, children show high levels of engagement and are able to self-motivate. Children have access to a forest school area, where they can continue to grow and learn within nature. Children learn about how to care for animals and the environment. The childminder encourages children to make discoveries and to take calculated risks when exploring nature. This builds on children's knowledge of the world around them.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a clear vision for the curriculum. She provides children with activities to match this. For example, she follows a system of child-led learning. As children show a fascination in minibeasts, she facilitates this by providing minibeast activities and invites external companies into the setting. This allows children to experience less common minibeasts first hand. Due to this, children develop further curiosity and are engaged and empowered to progress their learning further. n Children show consistently high levels of respect for each other and are able to work alongside each other remarkably well. On occasions, the childminder supports children to take appropriate action. For example, the childminder assists children by reminding them to use 'kind hands and feet'. It is clear this is routine practice. Children understand what the childminder says and use this knowledge in their interactions with others.

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need to do better?

n Children are exposed to a language-rich environment. While out and about in the local community, children take part in high-quality interactions. The childminder politely greets the local residents and encourages the children to do the same, under close supervision. This helps children learn new social cues on how to greet people and helps young children build basic language skills. n Partnership with parents is incredible. The childminder talks about how parents and their children feel like part of her extended family. Parents are kept updated on issues such as safeguarding via a termly newsletter. The childminder supports

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need to do better?

22 January 2025 children to share experiences with others through caring for a doll and making a record of the experience in a scrapbook. She also sends home individual reading books and activities for children and parents to share. These are based on children's next steps and interests. Partnerships with parents are highly successful in supporting children's continued learning. n Children are highly motivated and have high levels of self-control. It is clear children feel safe and secure and know their needs will be met. For example, children are seen getting out and accessing soft-play resources such as balancing beams. They are happy and secure when others come to join in. They use words and actions, as appropriate to their age, to make requests. These are recognised immediately and acted upon by the childminder. Children are confident, interested learners. n The childminder carries out the progress check for children aged two years

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need to do better?

effectively. She works alongside other settings and provides these checks to parents to share with their child's health visitor. The childminder understands when and how to support children and make links with other professionals where needed. This means children can be referred for additional support in a timely manner if required. n The childminder ensures any assistants that work alongside her undertake relevant training and are highly trained and enthusiastic about professional development. For example, forest school training has been undertaken. This is evident when attending the setting. The childminder is able to talk about skills that have been learned and how they are being embedded into practice. This means children benefit from high-quality experiences that are effectively assessed for risk.

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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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Setting details

Unique reference number EY539837 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10367605 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 12 Date of previous inspection 14 February 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016 and lives in Accrington. She operates all year round from 7.45am to 5.15pm, Monday to Thursday, except for family holidays. The childminder works alongside an assistant.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder completed a learning walk with the inspector and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to the childminder at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of her views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having 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.

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Inspection activities

22 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

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

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