Childminder in Staffordshire

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

On arrival, children are greeted warmly by the kind and friendly childminder. Children are enthusiastic, ready to play and learn. The childminder is attentive and responds promptly to children's care needs. For example, she quickly recognises when children are feeling tired or hungry. This helps children to feel safe and secure. The childminder gives children lots of praise and encouragement for their efforts and achievements. This helps to boost children's self-esteem and confidence. The childminder takes the children to local toddler groups. She meets with other childminders. These opportunities support children to build new friendships, gain confidence in different environments and to practise their social skills in larger groups. Children enjoy each other's company. They encourage others to join in their play. Babies explore and learn to operate simple technology. They smile broadly as they push buttons and lift flaps on electronic toys to activate the

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The provision is good

sounds, lights and music. The childminder understands how to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She knows where and how to seek support from other professionals when necessary.

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The provision is good

The childminder supports children to develop the skills and attitudes they need for their next stage of learning, including their eventual move on to school.

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need to do better?

n The childminder knows the children well. She has devised a well-sequenced curriculum, based on the seven areas of learning, children's interests and what children need to learn next. The childminder puts targeted plans in place, where children need extra support. Children in her care develop a positive attitude towards learning and make good progress from their starting points. n The childminder completes mandatory training, such as keeping her paediatric first-aid qualification up to date. However, the childminder's programme for professional development is not yet sharply focused on extending her knowledge and teaching skills to further raise the quality of teaching to an even higher standard. n The childminder has high expectations of children's behaviour. She teaches children to share, take turns and be kind. Children behave well. n The childminder supports children to be independent. Children learn to put on

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need to do better?

their own coat and shoes. They help to tidy up the toys they have used before they sit down for their snack. n The childminder supports children's mathematical development. For example, she encourages children to count small toy animals and match them to different coloured bowls. She teaches children about making patterns as they enjoy playing with dough. The childminder teaches children comparative language, such as 'longer' and 'shorter'.

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need to do better?

27 May 2025 n The childminder provides children with a good selection of toys and resources. However, sometimes, she steps in too quickly and over directs children's play without giving them time to explore and investigate independently. This does not enable children to make their own choices, develop their own ideas within their play or to develop their problem-solving skills. n The childminder supports children's language development effectively. She models language well and engages children in conversation. The childminder responds to babies' sounds and babbles as she encourages back-and-forth interactions. n The childminder supports babies developing mobility. She places favourite toys just out of reach to encourage babies to stretch and crawl. n The childminder supports children to develop their small-muscle skills in readiness for future writing. Children have fun as they manipulate dough into shapes, thread buttons onto laces and practise their cutting skills with scissors.

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need to do better?

n The childminder helps children to learn about healthy lifestyles. She provides healthy snacks and makes sure children have plenty of opportunities to take part in exercise and to spend time outdoors. n Parents are highly complimentary about the childminder. They comment on the good progress their children make during their time with the childminder. Parents say the childminder is very supportive and works closely with them, for example, with language development and the toilet training process.

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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 give children time to explore, solve problems independently and develop their own ideas in their play n develop plans for professional development to enhance practice to an even higher level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY265525 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10380284 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 6 Date of previous inspection 4 June 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2003 and lives in north end of Stafford. She operates all year round from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, except for family holidays and bank holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. The childminder provides funded early years education for children aged between nine months to four years.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises her early years provision, including the aims and rationale for her early years foundation stage curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to parents and took account of their views. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation.

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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

27 May 2025 27 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

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

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