Kay, Rachael Catherine

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 enjoy their time with the childminder, who has lots of experience in the sector. She has built a sound reputation with the families she serves, many of whom return future generations to her care. The childminder supports children's different learning styles through free-flow play inside and outside at her home. This helps children to build confidence and develop the skills they will need for the next stages of their learning and life. The childminder helps children to develop mindfulness of their own safety. For instance, children help to dry the ride-on toys in the garden before using them. Children make good progress in their learning across the curriculum.

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The provision is good

The childminder is a good role model, promoting positive attitudes towards children's play and learning. She supports children to understand her expectations, and they develop a sense of belonging in her home. Children are encouraged to be mindful of, and kind to, their friends. The childminder offers frequent praise for children's good manners and efforts throughout their day. As a result, children listen carefully to the childminder's instructions and behave well. They are keen to join planned activities and follow familiar routines, enhancing their sense of security, as they understand what comes next in their day.

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need to do better?

n The childminder knows children and their families well and offers support for their individual circumstances. She facilitates regular communication with parents using a variety of methods to suit each family. This helps to keep parents informed about their children's progress. The childminder works with families and other professionals to support children appropriately. This promotes consistency in children's care and learning. n The childminder understands how children learn and seeks out professional development opportunities to enhance her practice. She uses her knowledge to monitor and assess children's progress, identifying and helping to narrow any gaps as they emerge. This helps children to make good progress in their learning and to catch up with their peers where possible. n The childminder plans fun and interesting outings and activities for children. They benefit from a wide range of experiences and learning opportunities. On

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need to do better?

occasion, activities are not incisively focused to help each child build as well as possible on their individual learning and development. n The childminder promotes children's speech and communication skills. She uses a range of strategies, including signing, to help children communicate effectively. Children enjoy singing and looking at books with the childminder. She chats to children throughout their day, supporting their articulation and vocabulary to grow and develop. Children begin to develop confidence in their language skills,

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need to do better?

25 March 2025 happily conversing with visitors, for example. n The childminder helps to embed children's learning, making links across the curriculum, as she talks to them about their previous activities. Children enjoy craft activities and learn about shape and colour as they experiment. Children recall that when they previously mixed blue and yellow paint they made green, for instance. Children make progress in, and links across, their learning. n Children benefit from regular outings and outdoor play promoting their good health and stamina. Outings to local parks and soft-play sessions enable children to practise their new physical skills, such as climbing. Children's overall well- being is thoughtfully considered and promoted well in a holistic manner. n The childminder promotes children's independence skills well. She encourages them to carry out tasks for themselves and to begin to manage their own care

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need to do better?

needs. For instance, children try hard to put on their own shoes. They know to ask for a tissue and wipe their own nose. Children learn about hygiene routines. They sit together for meals and begin to form good habits for life. n The childminder supports children's social development through regular outings to toddler groups, for instance. They mix with people of different backgrounds and begin to learn how they are each unique. Walks in the local area help children to develop a sense of their community. They begin to learn about the wider world.

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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 focus activities, experiences and interactions with children more precisely on their individual next steps.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY429206 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10372486 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 23 April 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2011 and lives in Penwortham, Preston. She operates all year round from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant qualification at level 3 and offers government funded places for childcare and early education.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure they are safe and suitable along with the aims for their early years curriculum. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about children's learning and development. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n Parents shared their views with the inspector. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children. 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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