Bamber, Kathryn

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 a warm and welcoming home-from-home environment in which children feel at ease. Children demonstrate close and trusting bonds with the experienced childminder. They demonstrate that they feel safe and secure in her care. The childminder gathers a wealth of information about each child when they first start to attend the setting. She uses this information, along with her own observations, to tailor her approach to each child's unique needs.

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The provision is good

The childminder uses her good understanding of child development to offer a well- sequenced curriculum that also takes into account children's individual interests. The childminder monitors each child's progress carefully. Swiftly identifying any emerging gaps in their learning and development. She works closely with parents and a range of outside agencies to help ensure that each child's needs are swiftly met. This helps to ensure that all children make good progress from their starting points.

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The provision is good

Children are aware of the childminder's high expectations. They play well together and develop close bonds with each other. The childminder helps children to resolve any small conflicts. She encourages children to think and decide how best to respond. Children are becoming skilled in knowing how to manage their feelings. This helps to create a harmonious learning environment.

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need to do better?

n The development of children's communication and language skills is at the heart of the childminder's curriculum. Children regularly share their favourite books and stories. They eagerly discuss their favourites and predict what will happen next as the childminder reads with them. Children of all ages enjoy turning the pages and looking at the pictures. Older children share their thinking and ask questions to enhance their understanding further. Younger children learn how to pronounce new words. Opportunities such as these help to extend children's communication skills. n The childminder plans activities that help to build on children's recent interests. Children are supported to recall past events and learning as they play. For example, they remember visiting a farm as they play with toy animals. Children enthusiastically recall seeing turkeys. They remember the different colours and the noises the turkeys make as they sort the different animals. This helps

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need to do better?

children to remember and build upon previous experiences. n The childminder provides a wide range of opportunities that children enjoy. She has a good understanding of what children need to learn next. That said, occasionally, when implementing whole-group activities the childminder focuses on extending the learning of older children. This means that sometimes, younger

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need to do better?

25 March 2025 children become restless and do not benefit fully from the intended learning. n Children are independent and like trying to do things for themselves. For example, they tidy away resources and manage some of their self-care needs such as going to the toilet and pouring their own drinks at lunchtime. Overall, the childminder teaches children good hygiene routines. For example, children are reminded to cover their mouths when they cough. That said, children are not always reminded of the importance of washing their hands after they blow their nose. This does not support children's understanding of good hygiene practices further. n The childminder provides experiences that children may otherwise not encounter. Children enjoy a wide variety of trips and outings both in the local community and further afield. They remember their regular outings to the local café and playgroup and recall going to the zoo. Opportunities, such as these,

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need to do better?

help children to understand the world around them and enable them to socialise with people of all ages. n Parents speak very highly of the childminder. They value the daily discussions she holds with them. Parents feel included at every step and value the information provided on topics such as oral health and sleep routines. The childminder updates parents on their child's progress and provides suggestions as to how they may enhance their child's learning further at home. This helps to promote a consistent approach to children's care and learning. n The dedicated childminder evaluates her practice regularly. She clearly wants the best for all children. The childminder meets with other childminders to share aspects of good practice. She carefully targets professional development opportunities. For example, recent communication and language training and research has been used effectively to enhance her skills to accelerate children's

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need to do better?

speaking skills. This approach helps to ensure that the childminder remains up to date and that her knowledge and skills 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 review the implementation of activities so that younger children can fully benefit from the intended learning n enhance children's understanding of the importance of good handwashing routines further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY451336 Local authority Blackburn with Darwen Inspection number 10372667 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 6 Number of children on roll 7 Date of previous inspection 30 April 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered 2012 and lives in Darwen, Lancashire. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 4. She provides government funded early education.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure it is 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 curriculum. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while with the childminder. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on 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

25 March 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

25 March 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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