Mcdonald, Sophie

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 nurturing home-from-home environment for the children and their families. She works closely with parents to request a wealth of information about the children prior to their starting to attend. The information about prior learning and care routines is used to develop a broad curriculum, based upon the childminder's understanding of what children need to learn next and what children are interested in. This helps to motivate children. They are enthusiastic and develop positive attitudes to their learning.

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The provision is good

The childminder prioritises preparing children for school. She is committed to helping children develop their communication and language skills. Children love stories and eagerly listen to their favourite books. Children seize opportunities to explore stories in their independent play and giggle as they look at books. The childminder is an effective role model who has high expectations of children. She supports children to understand and label their feelings effectively. Kindness and good manners are promoted and praised. Children are calm and behave well.

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need to do better?

n The childminder monitors children's progress and uses the information to identify any gaps in children's development. The childminder seeks the advice and support of outside agencies, when required, to help ensure that each child makes progress. n The childminder talks to children as they play. She uses a range of language and makes eye contact with children to help develop their communication skills. There are times when the childminder asks questions of children that they do not know the words to answer. She does not model the correct answer and sometimes asks further questions that they cannot answer. This does not support children to develop their vocabulary. n Children are confident in the care of the childminder. The childminder encourages children to develop a range of self-help skills. For example, children know where to find their water bottles when thirsty and are supported to clean their hands after blowing their noses. This helps to develop children's

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need to do better?

independence in readiness for future learning. n The childminder reflects on her practice regularly. She works with other childminders to share aspects of good practice. However, the childminder does not carefully target her professional development to enhance her knowledge of how children learn best. This means there are times that the planned curriculum does not precisely help children develop skills that build on what they already know and can do. n The childminder provides experiences that children may otherwise not get. Children enjoy a wide variety of trips and outings in the local community. They

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need to do better?

9 April 2025 enjoy regular outings to the local playgroup, library and even a chance to sit in a police car. Opportunities, such as these, help children to understand the world around them and enable them to respect people who help them. n Parents welcome the regular communication the childminder provides about their child's experiences. They ask for the childminder's advice and guidance on a range of topics such as toilet training and sleep routines. The childminder shares ideas of things parents can do at home to help support their child's learning. This helps to promote a consistent approach to children's learning and development.

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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 strategies to consistently support children's communication skills and the development of vocabulary n target the programme of professional development more sharply to strengthen the curriculum to consistently build on what children know and can do.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY546987 Local authority Wirral Inspection number 10380374 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 5 Date of previous inspection 6 June 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Prenton, Merseyside. She operates all year round, from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises the early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector considered views of parents and children during the inspection.

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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

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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