Hill, Melissa Louise

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is good

The childminder provides a welcoming and homely atmosphere. Children are quick to settle with the childminder, allowing parents to confidently drop off at the door. The childminder has built good relationships with families who trust her. She tailors settling-in sessions to meet children's needs. This assists a smooth transition into her provision.

p.2

The provision is good

Children have a positive relationship with the childminder. They develop strong bonds with her, which support them to settle well and to explore and play with confidence. Children are becoming independent and take responsibility for small tasks. Older children help to prepare snack for their younger friends by cutting fruit up to share. Children use their manners and respond to instructions from the childminder. As a result, children's behaviour is good at the provision.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder's curriculum considers what children already know, their interests and next steps in learning. Children independently choose what they want to play with from the wide range of resources that are available to them. The childminder supports the individual needs of all children well, and all children make good progress from their starting points at the provision.

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need to do better?

n The childminder's curriculum provides a range of interesting experiences for children. These stimulate and engage the children well, overall. For instance, children enjoy exploring making play dough from scratch. They measure out ingredients and use new words such as 'knead'. However, occasionally, the childminder's interactions are more focused on the most confident children. The less confident children are distracted from the learning taking place, resulting in this being less purposeful for those children. n The childminder teaches the children to respect others and develops their understanding of other cultures. They take part in key cultural celebrations, such as learning about Chinese New Year. This helps the children to understand the community and the world they live in. n The childminder promotes good health and hygiene routines. Children wash their hands regularly before snacks and meals and after toileting. Children are

p.2

need to do better?

encouraged to eat healthy snacks. The childminder provides children with homemade nutritious meals, which they enjoy. Mealtimes are a social occasion where the children engage in conversations with the childminder about what food they like to eat. n Prior to children attending the provision, the childminder invites them to attend settling-in sessions. These help children to become familiar with the childminder and her home and support transition well. However, when children who speak

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need to do better?

27 February 2025 English as an additional language start attending, the childminder does not gather key words in children's home language to help support their language development further. n The childminder implements effective risk assessments to promote children's safety. For instance, she identifies potential risks and takes steps to reduce or remove these. She also supervises children well throughout the day, such as during their play, mealtimes and sleep times. The childminder provides parents with online safety advice to help keep children safe online. This further helps to keep them safe. n Children's physical development is promoted through a range of activities. They have opportunities to practise their fine motor skills. For example, they use sensory materials, such as ice and shaving foam, and build towers using magnetic shapes. Children enjoy making 'a really big rocket' to go to the moon.

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need to do better?

They have good imagination skills. n Children enjoy circle time at the provision. The childminder gives children opportunities to choose activities and discuss the weather and who's in today. Children are building on their vocabulary skills through singing songs and taking part in story time. The childminder gives children time to respond to questions. This is supporting the children to become confident communicators. n Parent partnerships are good. Parents are kept well informed about their children's progress through daily updates. Parents express appreciation for the childminder's regular updates on their children's daily activities and progress.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

should:

n support less confident children to remain focused on purposeful learning during adult-led activities n support children who speak English as an additional language more effectively with their language development.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2773512 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10349753 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

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 8 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2024 and lives in Blackburn. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder accepts funded places.

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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 around the curriculum. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children. n The inspector viewed and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector spoke to a parent during the inspection and took account of their views. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection.

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Inspection activities

27 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

27 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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