Childminder in Stoke-on-Trent

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

p.1

The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in the care of the ambitious childminder. They are happy and confident with an eagerness to learn. The childminder gets to know children and families exceptionally well by offering nurturing settling-in sessions. This helps children to develop positive attachments with her to help them to feel safe and secure. The childminder treats children with kindness and compassion and teaches them how to care for others. They learn how to take turns and share resources. As a result, children play harmoniously and are caring towards their friends. Children have a deep respect for the resources that they use, handling them carefully and tidying away when they have finished their activities.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

The childminder has created an opportunity-rich environment that stimulates children's curiosity and cultivates a love of learning. Children lead their own learning as they investigate the outdoor environment. They develop physically as they turn the taps on water cylinders to fill and empty containers. The childminder teaches children the names of tools and how they can use them. Children demonstrate excellent strength and coordination as they expertly transport water. They create models in sand, correctly naming the colour and shape of the tools that they are using and confidently announce that they have made a circus tent.

p.2

need to do better?

n The inspirational childminder has created an ambitious curriculum that is responsive to children's interests and promotes children's development in the seven areas of learning. She has a deep understanding of the way in which children learn and ensures that children have consistent opportunities to learn and master new skills. For instance, the childminder recognises children's deep interest in number. She offers activities that reinforce their recognition of the order of numbers up to twenty. Children then investigate this further during free- play opportunities. They match numbers and post them into the correct corresponding number boxes. n Children demonstrate a deep interest in shapes in the environment. The childminder facilitates and extends this through conversation and by creating inviting activities. For instance, children have a developing understanding of 3D shapes. They explore shapes, using tongs to pick them up and sort them.

p.2

need to do better?

Children proudly announce that they are sorting the cuboids. The childminder facilitates conversations to reinforce their knowledge. At snack time, they discuss the food that they are eating, and children recognise that a cucumber resembles a cylinder. n The childminder knows all children exceptionally well. She uses effective assessment strategies to identify children's current levels of development and to determine their next steps. This enables her to plan inviting learning

p.2

need to do better?

10 June 2025 opportunities for children, based on their unique needs and interests. The childminder takes swift action if she identifies any concerns about a child's development. She uses strategies to identify the cause of the concern and works with parents to seek support from outside agencies. This helps all children to make exceptional progress from their starting points. n The passionate childminder offers a language-rich environment that supports children's communication and broadens their vocabulary. She frequently reads with children and shares songs and rhymes. The childminder uses her excellent understanding of each child to extend their vocabulary and understanding further. For example, children share a fascination about animals. The childminder teaches them about life cycles and the names of baby animals. During explorative play, children talk about a butterfly's cocoon and correctly identify

p.2

need to do better?

that a baby crocodile is called a hatchling. n Children are confident to share their needs with the childminder. They tell her when they are hungry and understand that they must wash their hands before eating so that they can wash away the germs. They collect their own yogurts and spoons and select the fresh fruits and crackers that they want to eat at snack time. Children chat to the childminder about the textures and flavours of the fruit and share their favourites. They demonstrate independence as they feed themselves and attend to their own toileting needs. Children put on their own wellies and coats before they go outside. n Parents work in close partnership with the childminder to support their children's learning and development needs. The childminder shares detailed information to inform them of how they can continue to support their children at home. This helps children to make rapid progress. Parents are highly complimentary of the

p.3

need to do better?

childminder and the care and consistency that she provides. They feel reassured that their children are safe and are developing in the care of the creative childminder. n The childminder is committed to creating a safe environment for all children. She has appropriate measures in place to keep children safe and routinely teaches children how to keep themselves safe. For instance, when walking to school, she teaches them about road safety. The childminder expertly reflects on her practice to ensure that she is delivering an evolving curriculum that responds to children's changing needs. She attends appropriate training and meetings to consistently improve her knowledge and skills.

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

Setting details

Unique reference number 224565 Local authority Stoke-on-Trent Inspection number 10398463 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection 23 October 2019

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1996 and lives in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder has a level 2 qualification in childcare. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure 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 their early years foundation stage curriculum. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while with the childminder. 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 and inspector discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact that this had on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

10 June 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6