Childminder in Sefton

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children are happy and well cared for in this homely environment They benefit from secure relationships with the childminder and her assistant, separating easily from parents and carers on arrival and settling quickly into activities. Children talk about the things they grow in the garden, like the fragrant flowers and the apples on the apple tree. They remember that they used the apples to make apple pie, sauce, and juice. Children excitedly show off the cucumber they have grown in the garden. They talk about the other things they have grown, that they can eat to make them healthy.

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The provision is good

The childminder has good boundaries and expectations in place, which help children to know what is expected of them and how to deal with certain situations. She uses stories and modelling to help children to learn about feelings, emotions, and respect. The children benefit from a wealth of experiences and opportunities with the childminder. They visit local farms, parks, and outdoor spaces, where they can learn about nature and observe changes to the environment. They visit the fire station to learn about people who help us. Children take their rubbish to the recycling centre, which helps them to learn about their impact on the environment.

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need to do better?

n The childminder implements a curriculum for children which is based on building their knowledge and skills. She identifies what they already know and can do from discussions with parents and her own initial observations. She regularly tracks their learning to celebrate their achievements and to identify and address any gaps in learning. As such, children make good progress and are prepared for the next stage in their learning. n The childminder promotes healthy meals and snacks. Both the childminder and her assistant have recently accessed training on nutrition and have amended the healthy eating provision accordingly. They grow vegetables and fruit with the children which can be used in snacks. This helps to ensure children learn about the importance of a healthy, balanced diet. n At snack and mealtimes, children demonstrate their growing independence. They help to set the table, including washing it to make sure it is clean. Children show

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need to do better?

how they wash their hands before eating 'to get rid of the germs.' This helps children to learn about good hygiene and cleanliness practices. n The childminder has improved communication and language by promoting more opportunities to talk with the children. She asks effective questions to lead their thinking and provides a narrative to their play. However, some of the younger children continue to use dummies when they are not needed. During these times they are not able to fully benefit from opportunities to develop their speech and language.

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need to do better?

21 July 2025 n The curriculum is varied and considers children's changing interests and next steps. However, at times it is less focused on those interests of the younger children. This means that activities are not always specifically planned to fully enhance younger children's learning and development. n Parents receive information about their child's daily routines and observations of their learning. They know their child's progress and any gaps in their learning. However, the childminder does not always share ideas on how parents can extend their child's learning or next steps at home, to further support their progress. For example, when learning about dealing with feelings and expressing their emotions through positive behaviour. n Since the previous inspection, the childminder has improved her practice. She and her assistant have attended training and have put together a training action plan moving forwards. This helps to facilitate continuous improvement in

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need to do better?

practice to support children's learning and development. n The childminder carries out regular supervisions with her assistant to ensure they are fully aware of the requirements of the role. During these meetings, they discuss any areas for improvement that may arise. This ensures the children receive the best possible care and learning.

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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 consider how to reduce the use of dummies when they are not needed to further enhance children's communication and language development n continue to develop own knowledge and understanding of delivering an appropriate curriculum of activities to specifically support babies and young toddlers' development n further enhance partnership with parents by developing effective home learning opportunities to fully support a coordinated approach to learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2733754 Local authority Sefton Inspection number 10410690 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 9 Date of previous inspection 8 October 2024

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2023 and lives in Maghull. She works with an assistant. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday except for bank holidays and family holidays. She offers funded early education for children.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure they are safe and suitable. 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 Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

21 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

21 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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