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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children show confidence in the childminder's home. They understand the routine the childminder embeds. For example, children take off their shoes and coats and put them in the allocated spaces. Children show positive attitudes to their learning and are keen to explore and play with the toys and resources offered. The childminder's curriculum is ambitious and comprehensive, encouraging children to learn from their surroundings and fostering their curiosity. All children make good progress from their starting points.

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The provision is good

Children behave well because the childminder sets high expectations for their behaviour and models the behaviour she wants children to adopt. Where needed, she sensitively explains to children the impact of their behaviour on their friends and helps them to make positive choices. This helps children socialise with other children during regular play sessions with other childminders. The childminder provides meaningful praise for children's engagement, perseverance and success at tasks. Children show that they have secure attachments with the kind and caring childminder. The childminder places a strong focus on teaching children the language of feelings and emotions throughout their play and learning. Children compare the emotions of characters in books and soft toys to help them develop a better understanding of their emotions.

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need to do better?

n The childminder accesses training to support her professional development. By attending regular training and participating in networking opportunities, the childminder continually develops her knowledge and improves areas of her provision, which, in turn supports the children in her care. n The childminder creates a language-rich environment that enhances children's communication skills. She poses questions to children as they learn, and this supports their developing curiosity. For instance, during walks in the community, she talks to the children about what they see and hear. They listen to the distant sirens and discuss whether it could be a police car, ambulance or fire engine. The childminder stops so that children can observe new opportunities, such as workers using ladders and drills or a tape measure. n The childminder provides stimulating experiences to ignite children's imagination and curiosity. Children learn about the world around them through visits to the

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need to do better?

local market, library and national parks to help them understand what makes them unique. However, some adult-led activities are not always differentiated for younger children. This means that, on occasion, some children do not have opportunities to fully engage to further extend their learning. n The childminder delivers a broad and varied curriculum. She uses information from parents and her knowledge of each child to plan activities that supports

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need to do better?

9 April 2025 their next steps in learning. For instance, children concentrate and focus for lengthy periods as they identify colours, count in order and create designs using connecting circles. However, some activities do not fully challenge and extend older children's learning. For example, during stories, the childminder does not fully promote children's engagement and help them learn more about the storylines and characters. n The childminder supports children to develop their independence with hygiene routines, including wiping their noses and washing their hands. The childminder interacts well with children and uses effective teaching methods to encourage them to complete tasks themselves. For example, when children put their sun hats on the wrong way round, she supports them with gentle instructions, such as 'now turn it around,' and 'find the peak, this goes at the front', until they are successful. Children from a young age, attempt tasks themselves, such as

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need to do better?

putting on and taking off their shoes and coats. n The childminder places a good focus on promoting children's overall health and well-being. She ensures that children benefit from plenty of fresh air and exercise and make healthy food choices. The childminder talks to children on walks in the community about how this will strengthen their leg muscles. During weekly visits to the local market, children select fruit and vegetables for snack time. Children learn about road safety and the importance of looking and always listening out for cars. The childminder also talks to children about what the colours on the pelican crossing mean. n The childminder develops strong partnerships with parents and other settings that children attend. Parents speak very highly of the childminder. They comment on the good progress their children make during their time with the childminder and how keen their children are to attend. The childminder supports

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need to do better?

children's transition to school by working closely with parents to develop children's independence, self-care and communication skills.

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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 enhance the curriculum intent to focus more precisely on the identified learning intentions for younger children during planned activities, to fully support their engagement and progress n ensure activities consistently challenge and fully extend older children's learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY452900 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10391316 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 11 Date of previous inspection 2 August 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2012 and lives in Penkridge, Staffordshire. She operates all year round from 7am until 5pm, Monday to Thursday, Friday from 7am until 9am and then 3pm until 5pm, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures that they are safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises her early years provision, including the aims and rationale for her early years foundation stage curriculum. 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 observed the interactions between the childminder and the children. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the curriculum has been implemented and the impact that this has had on the children's learning. n The inspector read written feedback from parents during the inspection and took account of these views.

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Inspection activities

9 April 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

9 April 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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