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 Inadequate

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The provision is good

The childminder is very patient and caring towards children. She speaks to them with high levels of care and respect. The childminder showers children with love and comfort where it is required. Children regularly seek out the childminder when they feel unsure. This demonstrates the strong and positive bonds children have formed with the childminder. Children enjoy joining in with songs and rhymes. They smile, laugh, and join in with the actions, and they dance to the music using their bodies. Children show a willingness to engage in sensory experiences, such as sand play. They enjoy the cause and effect as they lift their hands up in the air and watch the sand fall out of their palms and fingers.

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The provision is good

The childminder utilises what she knows about the children to help set out a wide range of learning experiences, both inside and outside. Children show an eagerness to explore. The childminder supports children to develop the strength in their legs as they attempt to pull themselves up or climb up a range of play equipment. All children make good progress in their learning. The childminder praises children for what they do well. She talks to them about their behaviour. As a result, children generally behave well.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has taken steps to improve the overall safety of her home. This includes ensuring that external doors are kept locked to prevent someone unauthorised from gaining access to the setting. She also ensures fire exits are kept clear. n The childminder places focus on her own professional development. She attends regular training and receives support from other professionals. This helps her to raise her knowledge and confidence over time. n The childminder has developed a curriculum that covers all areas of learning. It is sequenced well to help continuously extend children's knowledge over time. The childminder plans a range of learning experiences for children. These are based on children's interests and next steps, providing them with new experiences. n Children are inquisitive learners who love to explore. However, the childminder does not support children to tidy up when they finish playing. This leaves

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need to do better?

resources on the floor, which children who have only recently started walking have to try and navigate around. This results in times where they lose their balance. n There is a focus on supporting and developing children's communication skills. The childminder often narrates children's play. She surrounds them with new language and vocabulary as she regularly describes objects and how sensory materials feel. The childminder reads stories to children clearly. She encourages

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need to do better?

4 July 2025 children to attempt to say single words. n The childminder reminds children of the rules of good behaviour. She helps children to manage their emotions. However, on occasion, she does not reinforce boundaries and routines for all children. As a result, some children become frustrated when they cannot have or do something. This impacts on the overall quality of experiences other children receive during this time. n The childminder knows the children well. She regularly monitors children's development. This helps her to identify what children already know and can do and what children need to learn next. The childminder sets appropriate next steps for children to achieve. This helps to ensure that children continue to make good progress in their learning and development. n The childminder identifies gaps in children's development. She works closely with parents and other professionals. This process ensures that all children

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need to do better?

receive the early intervention they require. n Parents are supported well. The childminder regularly shares and gathers information about the children. She keeps parents informed about their child's day and development. The childminder spends time informing parents how they can support their child's development at home. Parents speak positively about the support they and their children receive from the childminder. n The childminder provides children with a range of healthy snacks. She supports parents to provide balanced and healthy packed lunches for children. In addition, children are frequently reminded to have a drink. However, on occasion, the childminder's hygiene practice is not fully promoted. For instance, she does not encourage or support children to cover their mouth or nose when they sneeze.

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

should:

n support children to tidy up when they finish playing with an aim to maximise the floor space available to children who are learning to walk n further promote the routines and boundaries to ensure all children have a clear understanding of what is expected of them, in order to maximise the overall quality of care all children receive n strengthen hygiene practice even more, to ensure that children's health is fully promoted.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2694909 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10393625 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 3 Date of previous inspection 11 February 2025

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2022 and lives in Stafford. She is open all year round, except for public holidays, family holidays and one week at Christmas. The childminder's operating hours vary throughout the week. She is open on Monday between 8.15am and 4pm, and on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between 9am and 4pm. She is closed on Wednesday. The childminder provides funded early education for children of all ages.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the setting and discussed the safety and suitability of it. n The childminder and inspector discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact that this had on children's learning. 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 inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children. n The inspector reviewed parents' feedback and took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

4 July 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

4 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

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

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