Childminder 2734149

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is outstanding

Children are happy, confident and successful in the expert care of this exceptional childminder. The childminder has warm and nurturing relationships with children. She clearly loves the time she spends with them. There are clear and consistent routines in place that help children to understand exactly what is expected of them. As a result, there is a wonderfully calm, relaxed and purposeful atmosphere. Children are polite and kind to each other and behave consistently well.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder plans an amazing array of activities and opportunities for children. She thoughtfully links these to children's interests and next steps in learning and development. The childminder plans activities as part of her curriculum to support children to develop the muscles in their hands and arms in preparation for early writing. Children are deeply absorbed as they mould play dough scented with autumnal spices into different shapes. They show determination and resilience as they roll and shape the dough, pressing hard with their hands or the rolling pin. The childminder encourages children to carefully choose sticks and meticulously push them into the balls of dough to make a hedgehog's spikes. Children manipulate small matchsticks and autumn leaves to add to their models and press pine cones into the dough to create a pattern.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a sharp focus on what children need to learn, practise or develop next. She knows children very well and uses their interests to capture their imaginations. This inspires children to want to take part in the exciting and enjoyable activities. Children are deeply engaged in their play and, as a result, all children make excellent progress. n The childminder is highly skilled in developing children's communication and language. Children are spellbound as the childminder whispers that she has found something under the table. She reveals a huge letter addressed to the children. Children quiver with excitement as the childminder opens the letter and reads it with them. They hear that they have to help to find a missing turtle from a book that they have read. Children immediately get up and excitedly search for the turtle, chatting about where it might be or what might have happened. The

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need to do better?

experience feels magical and supports the development of children's listening skills and imagination exceptionally well. n The childminder takes every opportunity to support children's early literacy skills. There are books thoughtfully placed around the environment. Children frequently choose to pick up a book and read independently. Outside in the garden, children cuddle up with the childminder in a cosy shelter and listen intently as she reads a story. Children are drawn into the story as the childminder reads well in a range of different voices and tones. This supports

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need to do better?

23 September 2025 children to develop an early love of books and reading. n Children develop their independence skills very well. The childminder is full of praise and encouragement as children put on their aprons by themselves. At breakfast time, she encourages children to choose from a range of healthy cereals, carefully spooning them from the containers into their bowls. Children pour their own milk and then helpfully replace the lids on the containers without being asked. This demonstrates that children are well supported to be confident and are well prepared for their next steps, such as starting school. n The childminder takes children on a fascinating range of trips and visits, which enhance the curriculum. For example, children visited a recycling centre to develop their understanding of a familiar book about environmental issues and sea pollution. They visit woods, where they enjoy cooking over a fire and

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need to do better?

hunting for bugs. Children visit the beach, where the childminder encourages them to develop their physical skills, dig in the sand and collect shells. The childminder plans these experiences to support children's understanding of the wider community and their appreciation of the natural world around them. n The childminder is highly reflective and is always striving to refine and enhance what she provides for the children. She asks parents and carers for regular feedback and works positively with other partners, such as the local authority. The childminder undertakes additional training to raise the quality of her already excellent practice still further. This means that the provision is constantly improving. n Parents hold the childminder in high esteem. They appreciate the kindness, care and attention that the childminder shows towards the children. Parents say that the childminder nurtures their children and 'allows them to flourish'. Parents

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need to do better?

work in a strong partnership with the childminder. They say that their children enjoy bringing home a book every week in a special bag and that they appreciate the useful information in the regular newsletters. This enables parents to continue their children's learning at home.

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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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Setting details

Unique reference number 2734149 Local authority Sefton Inspection number 10407290 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 6 Number of children on roll 2 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2023 and lives in the Aintree area of Liverpool. She operates during term time, from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. The childminder offers the government funded places for childcare. She holds qualified teacher status.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises her early years provision, including the aims and rationale for the early years foundation stage curriculum. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

23 September 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

23 September 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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