Witcombe, Claire Elizabeth

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Inadequate

p.1

The provision is good

The childminder has created a safe haven for children to play and explore. Everywhere that you look, children are immersed in play. The childminder beams with pride as children showcase their achievements. For example, children cannot contain their excitement while demonstrating how to make 'magical pies' outdoors. The childminder is a good role model. She has high expectations for children's behaviour. Children behave well and they know what is expected of them. They follow rules and show kindness towards one another.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder provides children with a broad curriculum that builds on what they already know and can do. For example, children relish taking part in bird-watching activities. They learn about the habitats of different birds and show a keen interest in living things. Children excitedly recall a visit to the zoo. They discuss how they travelled on public transport and they talk about their favourite animals.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder teaches children incredibly well about healthy living. She provides children with nutritious foods. Children talk about the benefits of having a balanced diet. They help to grow fruit and vegetables. The childminder teaches children how to care for their own teeth. Children talk about visiting the dentist and know the importance of brushing their teeth. The childminder encourages children to become independent from a young age. Children help to tidy toys away and tend to their own physical needs. This helps children to develop the necessary skills in readiness for their eventual move on to school.

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need to do better?

n Since the last Ofsted inspection, the childminder has worked hard to bring about change. She has welcomed support from the local authority and other childcare professionals. Self-evaluation has had a positive impact on outcomes for children. For example, through reflection, the childminder has redeveloped play areas to ensure that toys are more accessible for children. This means that children now have more choice to independently play with toys that interest them. n The childminder has ensured that the curriculum is balanced and knowledge rich. She uses her understanding of child development to plan activities that keep children interested and motivated to learn. For example, children relish visiting the local museum to learn about the existence of dinosaurs. They beam with delight while playing in a 'secret dinosaur world' outdoors. n In the main, the childminder supports children's communication and language

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need to do better?

skills effectively. However, on occasion, she asks children questions in quick succession and does not give them sufficient time to respond. This does not support children in making the best possible progress in their communication

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need to do better?

28 April 2025 and language skills. n The childminder promotes children's love of reading exceptionally well. She takes children to the local library and encourages them to take books home to share with their families. Children talk about their favourite characters and begin to recognise familiar words. n Overall, the childminder keeps parents and carers well informed of their children's progress and achievements. However, some parents are not involved enough in the progress check completed for children between the ages of two and three years. This means that there is some variability in what parents understand about their children's progress. n The childminder has established a successful programme of professional development that has a positive impact on outcomes for children. For example, training in mathematics has improved the childminder's confidence in how to introduce shapes and numbers during children's play. Children count with

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need to do better?

confidence and discuss the properties of shapes. n The childminder teaches children incredibly well about the world around them. For example, she takes children to visit places of worship. Children learn about tolerance, respect and acceptance. They enjoy visiting the local care home for older people, where they sing, play games and learn about past times with the residents. These rich experiences help to prepare children for what life is like in modern Britain. n Children make excellent progress in their physical development. They take part in gymnastic and sport lessons. Children enjoy being physically active. They use climbing apparatus with skill and coordination. Children excel in their large- muscle skills. They are keen to take on new challenges and they cheer their friends on during an assault course.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

should:

n allow children sufficient time to think and respond to questions, to better support their communication and language skills n strengthen parental involvement in the progress check completed for children between the ages of two and three years.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY442801 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10382794 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

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 12 November 2024

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2012 and lives in Oswaldtwistle, Accrington, Lancashire. She operates all year round, Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 5.30pm, except for bank holidays and for family holidays. The childminder holds an early years qualification at level 3. She provides government-funded places for childcare for three-and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the interactions between childminder and the children. n The childminder and inspector completed a joint observation of an activity. n Children spoke and communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed children during their play. n The inspector received written feedback from several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

28 April 2025 28 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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