Summary
What we read, and from where
Click a reading to see it highlighted in the report.
- Inspection date verified
28 Jul 2025
- Inspectors verified
Sue Smith
- Behaviour and attitudes verified
Good
- Leadership and management verified
Good
- Overall effectiveness verified
Good
- Personal development verified
Good
- Quality of education verified
Good
- Name on report verified
Childminder report
- URN verified
2726848
Deep dive
What this report says
In plain English
Join free to get a short, plain-English summary of any report.
Grade profile
Each judgement on its scale, weakest to strongest.
- OverallGood
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Leadership and managementGood
- Personal developmentGood
- Quality of educationGood
79% of comparable inspections in the last three years were graded Good (17,905 inspections).
Tone of the report
How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.
Reads more warmly than most reports of this type graded Good.
Markers show where typical reports of each grade sit.
How the report reads, start to finish
Every paragraph in order, sized by length. Tap one to see it on the page.
Strengths
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
- As a result, children are confident, independent learners who enjoy participating in purposeful activities, and all children make good progress from their starting points. p.2
- The childminder has high expectations for children's behaviour and conduct. p.2
- As a positive role model, she sets clear and age-appropriate expectations, such as using kind hands and speaking politely. p.2
- relationships with families, creating a nurturing environment where children feel safe to explore and try new experiences. p.3
Concerns
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
No strong criticism found.
Next steps
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
What the report dwells on
Topics by how often they come up, coloured by how they are described. Open one for an example.
Communication & language2
“Older children model language for younger ones, who echo key phrases with delight.” p.2
Anatomy of the report
How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.
- Pages
- 6
- Words of findings
- 713
- about usual (typical 764)
- Reading level
- Hard
- Flesch 43, typical 52
- Average sentence
- 14 words
- Next steps
- 1
- typical 2
- Hedged sentences
- 4%
- “some”, “not always”, “most”…
Where the words go
Full report text
Overall effectiveness Good
The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable
p.1
The provision is good
The childminder is calm and nurturing in her approach. She creates a warm and welcoming environment for the children in her care. Children form strong bonds with her, often seeking her out for play, comfort, or cuddles. This helps them feel safe and emotionally secure. The childminder gathers detailed information about each child's starting points, interests, and routines from parents at enrolment. This enables her to develop a well-sequenced curriculum tailored to individual needs across all areas of learning. For example, children ask to help prepare snacks. The childminder supports them in cutting fruit, helping them to develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination as they carefully follow instructions and use tools safely. As a result, children are confident, independent learners who enjoy participating in purposeful activities, and all children make good progress from their starting points.
p.2
The provision is good
The childminder has high expectations for children's behaviour and conduct. She uses positive behaviour strategies that promote respect, kindness, and cooperation. As a positive role model, she sets clear and age-appropriate expectations, such as using kind hands and speaking politely. Children understand the rules and routines, which provides them with a strong sense of security and belonging.
p.2
need to do better?
n The childminder has a strong ethos for her provision. She wants children to be happy, kind, and healthy in her care. She places great emphasis on building children's resilience and independence through exploration and by developing an engaging environment that promotes curiosity and encourages children to take age-appropriate risks. n The childminder works alongside co-childminders and assistants. She is committed to ongoing professional development, undertaking both mandatory and additional training. Regular reflection on practice with colleagues supports continuous improvement in teaching quality and enhances the effectiveness of team practices across the setting. n Snack and mealtimes provide children of all ages with healthy food and drinks. The childminder skilfully introduces early mathematical concepts, such as counting children and distributing the correct number of plates. However, she does not always consider the impact of children waiting for extended periods
p.2
need to do better?
while others hand out snacks, which can limit opportunities for sustained learning. n Children benefit from a wide range of exciting learning opportunities beyond the home. For example, they enjoy swimming sessions with the childminder in the on-site pool. They also take trips to the garden centre, where they learn about plants and how to use money when making purchases. Visits to soft play centres and outdoor adventure parks promote children's physical development and
p.2
need to do better?
28 July 2025 provide valuable social experiences. These outings enhance children's understanding of their community and the world around them. n The enabling environment supports children to build on what they already know and develop skills across all areas of the curriculum. Children show a clear interest in nature and the world around them. They demonstrate curiosity as they pick flowers or blow dandelion seeds, watching with fascination as the seeds float away. n Children engage enthusiastically in early literacy and story sessions. Story time is enjoyed by children of all ages and is highly interactive. Older children model language for younger ones, who echo key phrases with delight. Shared enjoyment is evident during familiar stories, such as 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt', where children laugh, join in, and show high levels of engagement. n Parent partnerships are a clear strength. The childminder builds positive, trusting
p.2
need to do better?
relationships with families, creating a nurturing environment where children feel safe to explore and try new experiences. Parents speak highly of her consistent communication and value the meaningful memories their children make. Many recommend the setting to others based on their positive experiences. n Healthy lifestyles are promoted through daily outdoor play, discussions about food, and healthy menus. For example, children enjoy homemade yoghurt with fruit and take part in cooking activities, which are later shared with parents. This promotes children's understanding and supports them to make healthy choices. n There is a strong partnership with the local school. Teachers visit the setting, and children attend school events, such as sports days. These experiences help children feel familiar with the school environment, easing their transition.
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 review further how the organisation of daily routines and activities to ensure all children gain the most from meaningful interventions and learning opportunities.
p.3
Setting details
Unique reference number 2726848 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10415303 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 13 Date of previous inspection Not applicable
p.4
Information about this early years setting
The childminder registered in 2023, and works in Newcastle-Under-Lyme, Staffordshire. She works with co-childminders and assistants. She holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 6. The childminder provides childcare, Monday to Friday, from 7.40am to 6pm, all year round, except for bank holidays, Christmas and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for all eligible children.
p.4
Inspection activities
n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. 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 the inspector carried out a joint observation during snack time. 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.
p.4
Inspection activities
28 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.
p.4
Inspection activities
28 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.
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
Discuss this inspection
Members compare notes on inspectors and inspections here. Join free to read and post.
Join the discussion