Childminder in Leicestershire

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 children thoroughly enjoy being with the childminder, who provides a warm, welcoming and safe environment. They have developed strong bonds with the childminder, who knows them well. When children begin with the childminder, she prioritises emotional well-being by ensuring an individual settling-in period to support their needs. Once settled, she keeps all personal needs and interests up to date and accommodates children's changing needs. As a result, children are happy and motivated to attend the setting. They run to the childminder with open arms and say how much they love being at the childminder's home.

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The provision is good

The childminder's warmth, love and care for the children form the foundation of the curriculum, which aims to ensure that children are happy, thrive and are ready for their next stage of learning. Children benefit from a range of activities that meet their developmental needs and interests. For example, children who enjoy transporting craft items benefit from water trays and mud kitchens in the outside area to support their interest. Children who prefer quieter activities enjoy a well- resourced book area where they can take time to explore a range of stories. Children's weeks are also filled with various activities in the community. They benefit from attending regular groups to develop social skills and enjoy visiting shops and local farms.

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The provision is good

The childminder supports children in developing social skills and teaches them how to be kind. They are polite and considerate of their friends. For example, older children care for the younger children by supporting them in joining in with their games and cheering them on when they need encouragement. As a result, children play well together and develop good friendships.

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need to do better?

n Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge and understanding of the areas of learning. In particular, she prioritises teaching children the key skills and knowledge of the prime areas before moving children on to more specific areas. For example, children benefit from numerous opportunities to develop their hand strength and control through sensory play, before moving on to more intricate activities, such as threading and mark making. This provides children with a secure foundation for future learning. n The childminder provides children with a range of planned activities. For example, during a craft activity, the childminder provides stickers to support children's fine motor skills. She supports children to peel the stickers off, so they can learn how to use them independently. The childminder also promotes discussion about the stickers as children create their pictures. However, as the children progress in activities, the childminder does not always adapt them to

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need to do better?

20 May 2025 build on children's skills and move their development on even further. n Children play well with each other and show excellent problem-solving skills. During free play, for example, children experiment with pushing objects down a large tube. When an item gets stuck, children speak with each other and experiment with different ways to retrieve it. The childminder supports them by asking open-ended questions, which helps children try new techniques. This helps children develop the skills they need to work as a team and extends their thinking skills. n The childminder works well with parents and values their input. Daily feedback opportunities foster good relationships where parents feel valued and supported. The childminder ensures that children are supported at home by advising parents of their next steps and providing resources for them to try at home. This ensures children's continued progress in their development.

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need to do better?

n The childminder supports children in understanding the importance of a healthy lifestyle. She provides children with physical opportunities outside, movement inside and a variety of outings that encourage children to be active. In addition, she promotes the discussion about healthy eating by talking about fruit and giving children the choice of what fruit to eat for lunch. n The childminder creates an environment that promotes children's communication and language skills. She supports children's ongoing communication skills through techniques such as modelling language, and she skilfully uses songs and rhymes to support their ongoing development. The childminder also recognises the need for children to have time to process language and gives children the time they need to respond to conversations. The support children receive in their communication and language is a strength of the setting. As a result, all children

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need to do better?

make good progress in this area. n The childminder continually reflects on and adapts her practice to meet the children's needs. She keeps her training current, identifies improvement areas and finds courses to support her ongoing development. For example, she recently attended a course on supporting children's language development, strengthening the support children receive in their communication and language 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 review the implementation of learning activities to maximise children's progress.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2713611 Local authority Leicestershire Inspection number 10388573 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 Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2023. She lives in Market Harborough, Leicestershire. The childminder operates all year round, from 8am until 6pm, and provides care for children who are in receipt of nursery education funding. She holds an appropriate qualification at level 5.

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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 her early years provision, including the aims and rationale for the early years foundation stage curriculum. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

20 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

20 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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