Childminder in Staffordshire

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 lovely home-from-home environment. Children settle well and they show that they develop strong attachments with the childminder, which helps them to feel safe and secure. The exciting curriculum builds on children's existing knowledge and interests. It engages them in play- based learning opportunities across all areas of learning. For example, children develop their small motor skills and hand-eye coordination as they mark make using paints and crayons. Children develop their physical skills as they copy actions to their favourite songs and rhymes.

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The provision is good

The childminder has high expectations for children's behaviour and conduct. The children start to understand the routine of the day and they follow instructions well. The childminder is a good role model for children. If disagreements arise, she patiently explains to children the importance of sharing toys and taking turns. Even younger children start to manage their emotions and show empathy as they play. For example, toddlers play with the dolls, they rock them, stroking their heads saying 'ssh' to their 'babies'. The childminder understands how to develop children's independence skills. She encourages children to do things for themselves. For example, younger children peel the tops off yoghurt pots. They wash and dry their hands before snack. Older children make good progress in acquiring the skills they will need for school, such as putting on their coats and using the toilet independently.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a strong ethos for the children in her care. She wants them to be confident and happy, and have their voices heard. The childminder undertakes regular professional development to ensure her practice is up to date. She explains how training improves her teaching and the outcomes for the children. She also networks with other childminders to share good practice ideas and support each other's well-being. n The childminder develops a well-sequenced curriculum that supports all children to make good progress from their starting points. They develop their imagination as they role play in the home corner, they pretend to take their dolls to the shops and make picnics for them. The childminder introduces mathematical concepts and language to the children in an age-appropriate way. She supports them to count, recognise colours and shapes, and uses words, such as more, less, bigger and smaller. This helps children to develop the foundations for future

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need to do better?

learning. n Children have a good range of learning experiences outside the childminder's home. For example, the childminder takes the children to the local care home to visit and sing to residents. They visit the local church and join in celebrations,

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need to do better?

29 January 2025 such as Remembrance Day. The childminder and children also join other childminders in the area. They enjoy a range of activities such as visiting a local farm or attending a playgroup. This enables children to mix and develop their social skills with other children outside the home and learn about real-life experiences. n Overall, the childminder promotes children's communication and language development well. She provides children with a language-rich environment. She narrates children's play and repeats words for children to hear. Children enjoy stories, singing and taking part in action songs, which promotes their communication skills. However, the childminder incorrectly refers to herself in the third person and this could confuse younger children and those that are learning to talk. n The childminder promotes children's health and well-being. She ensures they have daily fresh air and exercise. They visit the local park to use the equipment

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need to do better?

or go on walks in the local area. The childminder teaches children how to keep safe. For example, she ensures they understand road safety when they go out in the community. The childminder and children grow fruit and vegetables. Children pick these to eat at snack time and the childminder talks to them about healthy food and snacks. n Parent partnership is strong. The childminder sees the children and families as an extension of her own. Parents remark on how much they value the childminder's caring and friendly approach. They comment on the range of opportunities she gives the children, such as pumpkin picking and going to the farm. Parents have daily communications about their child's day and developmental milestones.

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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 develop modelling of language to support children's communication and language skills even further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY540450 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10372678 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 5 Date of previous inspection 30 April 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016 and is based in Stafford. She operates her provision all year round from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for all eligible children attending.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure they are safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their early years foundation stage curriculum. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

29 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

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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