Childminder in Lancashire

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

Children are happy, confident and excited to play in the childminder's home. The childminder encourages children to select what they wish to play with. Children are good at sharing. They help each other access resources they are unable to reach and take turns well during games and songs. The childminder teaches children to use manners and learn how to listen carefully. Children sit calmly and listen intently to stories the childminder reads. Additionally, they join in with enthusiasm with action songs. The childminder gives children claves to bang together to help keep them focused and active during group time. Children are confident communicators and express their needs.

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The provision is good

The childminder creates a warm and positive environment that helps children to settle quickly. She forms close attachments with children and their families. The childminder identifies children's achievements and gaps in learning in order for her to swiftly respond and help children to keep up with their learning. Children make good progress while in the childminder's care.

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The provision is good

The childminder helps children to learn a range of skills out of her setting as part of her curriculum. For example, children attend weekly swimming lessons where they can develop their core strength and physical skills. Additionally, the childminder takes children to visit a nearby zoo on a regular basis. She supports children to continue their learning back at her setting when they read animal books and play with small-world creatures. Children talk about their favourite animals and sign each name with the childminder, a skill they have developed through attending signing sessions. The childminder supports children's communication skills very well.

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need to do better?

n The childminder encourages children to access resources of their choice and stores them at a low level for ease. However, when children discard of toys after playing with them, the environment sometimes becomes cluttered. This leads to children having to move items out of their way to continue exploring. Additionally, the vast amount of toys in sight means that some children struggle to choose where they wish to play next. This means that children sometimes pick up and put items down quickly, unable to settle back into purposeful play. n Children regularly explore the local natural environment. The childminder knows children love to play outside in parks and through forest school sessions. However, although the childminder has a garden for children to use, she does not consistently prepare and make best use of this space when children are present at her home. This means that some children who enjoy being outside do

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need to do better?

not have consistent opportunities to further their learning that meets their

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need to do better?

3 July 2025 preferred styles. n The childminder helps children to practise their mathematics skills. She supports children to complete shape puzzles, count items during songs and recognise numbers in the environment. Furthermore, children talk about the length of a giraffe's neck when reading a book. n The childminder has devised a curriculum that helps children to progress through expected stages of development, in preparation for when they leave her to go to school. She plans activities and outings to support all areas of learning, as well as considering children's interests and favourite things to do. As a result, children make good progress from the start. n Parents and carers comment highly on the care and education their children receive. They are pleased with the level of communication and support from the childminder, particularly if they are concerned. Parents know what their children have enjoyed and achieved during the day and what they can do at home to

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need to do better?

help continue learning. n The childminder ensures that her own, and any assistants she works with, skills are kept up to date, such as paediatric first aid and safeguarding. She makes sure that she continues to evaluate her setting and what she provides to help maintain and improve good standards for children. As a result, children thrive in a safe environment that supports their development. n Children learn to be independent from a young age. They add their name card to the self-registration board and put their coats and shoes away on arrival. Additionally, children use the bathroom and wash their hands with little intervention. They choose the fruit or cheese they want to eat for snack and collect their own drinks. Children learn about healthy lifestyle choices.

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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 support children to interact more positively and consistently participate in meaningful play, such as by organising the learning environment more carefully n help all children to continue their learning when playing outdoors, particularly those who prefer to learn outside in nature.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY472327 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10398250 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 10 Date of previous inspection 10 October 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2013 and lives in Langho, Lancashire. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds qualified teacher status.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of education and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the childminder. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n Children spoke to and engaged with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, such as paediatric first-aid and safeguarding certificates.

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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

3 July 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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