Dale, Christine

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in this exceptional setting. The childminder and her assistant pride themselves on offering a home-from-home environment. To illustrate, all children call the childminder's assistant 'Grandad', demonstrating the family atmosphere children enjoy. The childminder places children's happiness and well-being truly at the centre of everything she does. She values their views and carefully incorporates their choices and interests into the activities she offers. The childminder makes children feel special, as she lavishes them with nurturing affection, and her sensitive care promotes children's robust emotional security. Children show they feel exceptionally safe, secure and settled.

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The provision is outstanding

The range of activities offered to children are inspirational. The childminder prepares inviting activities, which are continually updated and refreshed. The rich and extensive programme of play helps to ignite children's curiosity, intrigue and concentration. For instance, children enthusiastically talk about a runner bean they have successfully grown. They describe the root system, showing an impressive awareness of nature and living things. They explain how the bean is 'huge' and 'enormous', developing their knowledge of measurement. This runner bean experiment has been a foundation for rich learning opportunities, but moreover it has clearly inspired children's curiosity and thirst for learning. The programme of learning activities provided is inspiring and fun, and in turn, children love to learn.

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need to do better?

n The childminder goes above and beyond to build positive relationships with parents. She invites parents into the setting frequently and often shares extremely detailed summaries of children's progress. She advises and supports parents when they encounter challenges in their parenting journey. The childminder recognises that parents are children's primary carers and educators and uses her expertise to support them in every way she can. Partnerships with parents are exemplary and children benefit from truly complementary care and learning. n Children benefit from an incredibly enriching curriculum. A wealth of visits in the local community builds on children's excellent experiences provided in the childminder's home. This vast range of experiences helps children to learn where their talents and interests are, because they are provided with many opportunities to try new things. Children make rapid progress in all areas of

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need to do better?

learning. n The childminder meticulously plans activities closely linked to support children's gaps in learning. This precise planning, coupled with highly skilled teaching, helps children to make swift progress from their starting points. n Children's health is very well promoted. They grow strawberries in the

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need to do better?

7 May 2025 childminder's garden and learn where their food comes from, supporting their positive attitude to healthy eating. Children have wonderful appetites, often asking for more nutritious fruit at snack time. They climb, run and are physically active in the garden, enjoying fresh air and exercise every day. Children are supported to become healthy and strong. n Children play harmoniously and show mature social skills. The childminder frequently praises children and teaches them right from wrong. She uses highly successful strategies to help children regulate their behaviours. For instance, children work hard to have their efforts recognised on a 'kindness wheel', which is prominently displayed within the setting. A 'mood meter' helps children to describe their feelings through colours. Children confidently articulate how they feel, illustrating they have a mature awareness of feelings and emotions.

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need to do better?

Children's behaviour is excellent. n The childminder is extremely ambitious and continually strives for excellence. For example, she has recently achieved an externally accredited award, a deserving accolade for the high-quality service she provides. Additionally, she has been awarded an MBE for services to children and families and still strives for more. The childminder leads a successful online support group for other registered childminders, disseminating her skills and helping others. This impressive tenacity and drive is a solid foundation for continual improvements. n The childminder and her assistant engage in focused and highly effective training and professional development. The childminder's practice is exemplary largely because she is continually refreshing, updating and developing her impressive knowledge and 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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Setting details

Unique reference number 306643 Local authority Stockport Inspection number 10388597 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 12 Number of children on roll 9 Date of previous inspection 18 July 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1995 and lives in Brinnington, Stockport. She operates all year round, from 8am to 5pm Monday to Thursday, and from 8am to 3pm on Fridays, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with an assistant and holds an early years qualification at level 3. She received an MBE in recognition for her service to children and families.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector around all areas of her registered property. During the tour, the childminder described how she plans and delivers the curriculum. n The inspector spoke with children and parents and considered their views. n The inspector observed activities and teaching, both indoors and outside, and considered the impact on outcomes for children. n The childminder provided a sample of documentation upon request. The inspector reviewed suitability check records and training certificates.

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Inspection activities

7 May 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

7 May 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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