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

Children thrive in the care of this loving and enthusiastic childminder. Children happily seek her out to play with them or for reassurance and support. This makes children feel safe and secure in the childminder's homely provision. The childminder works closely with parents to find out detailed information about children's interests and starting points. She uses this information to plan appropriate activities to support children's development needs. All children make good progress from their starting points.

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The provision is good

Children have free access to a range of toys and activities. They develop a love of books and choose from a wide range of different stories for the childminder to read with them. Children join in excitedly with familiar words and phrases, which helps them to learn new words. They eagerly choose for themselves what they want to play with. The childminder instinctively knows when to help children in their play and when to allow children additional opportunities to support their independence. Children have positive attitudes towards their learning. They start to understand routines and follow instructions well. This helps to prepare children for school.

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The provision is good

The childminder sets clear boundaries and is a positive role model. She creates opportunities for children to learn how to take turns and share. If children begin to demonstrate unwanted behaviour, the childminder responds swiftly to distract them. The childminder uses lots of praise and encouragement with the children, and their behaviour is good.

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need to do better?

n The childminder plans a curriculum based on children's current interests. She uses information from parents, along with her own observations and assessments to identify what children need to learn next. The childminder supports children's physical development well indoors. For example, children dance to music and perform large body movements. However, the childminder does not always plan and implement a broader curriculum outdoors to extend children's learning further. n Children begin to develop an understanding of mathematical concepts. The childminder introduces colours, numbers and shapes to children as they play. She uses maths language during activities. For example, children choose cars from their numbered parking space and travel down a ramp. The childminder uses words such as 'longer' and 'shorter' when discussing the impact of the ramp on the speed of the vehicles. n The childminder places a great emphasis on safety. She ensures children

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need to do better?

understand road safety and the importance of staying together when going out in the community. Furthermore, outings are risk assessed to ensure children are

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need to do better?

19 March 2025 always kept safe in the childminder's care when out of the setting. The childminder is a reflective practitioner, who evaluates her outings and risk assessments to improve the care she provides for young children. n The childminder understands the importance of developing children's communication and language skills. She narrates children's play effectively and introduces new words to them. The childminder ensures children have a variety of books readily available. They eagerly choose stories for the childminder to read. Younger children sit with her and listen intently as she reads and discusses the pictures on each page. n The childminder is committed to her continuous professional development. She completes all statutory training, such as paediatric first aid. The childminder regularly discusses good practice ideas with other childminders. She undertakes training if she feels it will support her teaching in any specific area, or to meet

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need to do better?

individual children's needs. n The childminder promotes children's self-care and independence effectively. Children confidently wash their own hands and use the toilet. At snack time, children show their increasing independence as they sit confidently at a table and feed themselves. The childminder also helps children to understand healthy diets. She works with parents to ensure packed lunches are healthy and nutritious. n Partnerships with parents are strong. The childminder ensures that she keeps parents well informed about their children's development, both verbally and by sending photos. Parents are very complimentary about the childminder. They feel they know the current progress of children and the next steps in their development. They are also supported with ideas to do at home. This promotes positive parent partnerships and consistency in children's learning.

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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 plan and implement the curriculum more effectively, particularly for children who prefer to learn outdoors, to build on what they already know and can do.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 301545 Local authority Blackburn with Darwen Inspection number 10375775 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 9 Date of previous inspection 2 May 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1999 and lives in Blackburn. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She offers the government funded places for childcare.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure that they are safe and suitable. n The childminder and inspector discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact that this had on children's learning. n A joint observation was carried out by the childminder and the inspector. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children.

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Inspection activities

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

19 March 2025 19 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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