Childminder in Knowsley

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is good

The childminder provides a safe and welcoming environment. Children happily explore a variety of activities and resources. For instance, children collect leaves and flowers in their nets as they go on a bug hunt in the garden. Children are engaged and focused on their play and learning. The childminder plays alongside the children and extends their learning through thoughtful interactions. For example, the children copy the childminder's actions when she demonstrates different ways to handle and mould clay.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder supports children's communication skills and language throughout the day. She asks lots of questions and allows children time to think and respond. She repeats words clearly so that children hear the correct pronunciation. Children are regular visitors to the library and can choose books to take home to share with their families. This encourages a love of stories and reading. Children make good progress in all areas of learning.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder encourages the children to be independent. They help at tidy-up time and understand the importance of washing their hands before they eat. The childminder instils positive values and respect by encouraging children to share and take turns. She reminds children to say 'please' and 'thank you'. The childminder works closely with parents to encourage positive behaviour. The children go on different types of trips. For example, the childminder takes the children to the beach and local groups where they can socialise with other children.

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need to do better?

n The childminder adapts her planning to reflect children's interests. For instance, she notes their curiosity with bugs and plans a topic about mini beasts. Children find out about life cycles and extend their knowledge and understanding of the natural world. n Monitoring and assessment of children's learning and development are effective. The childminder closes gaps quickly by implementing appropriate strategies. If needed, she will access multi-agency support and complete appropriate checks. Children progress well in their learning from their starting points. n The childminder supports children's emerging communication skills. Children enjoy story time and have favourite books. The childminder frequently supports children to recall their learning during child-led activities. For example, children can explore story sacks that are well resourced with puppets and flashcards, which help them retell familiar stories. This helps children to build their language

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need to do better?

skills and to develop confidence in their communications. n The childminder encourages children's early understanding of mathematics. She uses mathematical language and weaves counting into their play. For example,

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need to do better?

22 April 2025 she discusses the length and width of a worm and the number of spider's legs during a guided activity. Young children count accurately and develop a secure base for their future learning. n The childminder encourages children to find out about different festivals and cultures of the world. For instance, they learn about Diwali and Easter and share a Chinese New Year meal with their peers. Children learn key words in languages spoken by their friends and relatives. This helps children begin to understand our diverse world and life in modern Britain. n The childminder helps children to learn about how to look after their health. They eat nutritious meals and independently drink water throughout the day to keep hydrated. The childminder teaches children to wash their hands and explains why they should adopt good oral health routines. The children are able to explain how to brush their teeth and the importance of visiting the dentist.

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need to do better?

Children begin to develop the skills and knowledge for a healthy lifestyle. n The childminder helps children to develop their social skills. They mix with children at local groups in the community. Children learn how to care for each other and make friendships. However, the childminder does not always help children to explore their emotions and learn language to support them to express their feelings. This does not fully support their early emotional literacy. n The childminder undertakes training to broaden her understanding of early education. For example, she has recently completed training around sensory play and how to ensure readiness for school. The childminder reflects on her practice with other early years practitioners and is able to access support from speech and language specialists. This helps to deepen her understanding of how children learn and develop her skills to raise the quality of education for children,

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need to do better?

including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The childminder values parent partnerships and holds regular meetings to keep them up to date with children's progress. Parents are positive about the advice the childminder shares with them on issues such as toilet training and how to keep children safe online. Parents feel part of their children's learning journey. This supports consistency in children's care and early education.

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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.

p.3

should:

n strengthen the curriculum for personal development further to support children to understand and express their feelings and emotions.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2710458 Local authority Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council Inspection number 10380342 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 5 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The provider lives in Prescot, Liverpool. She operates Monday to Thursday, from 7.30am to 5.30pm, all year around apart from family holidays and bank holidays. The provider has an appropriate childcare qualification at Level 3.

p.4

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 their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for early years foundation stage curriculum. 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 this is having on children's learning. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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Inspection activities

22 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

22 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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