Childminder EY153179

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

The childminder knows the children incredibly well and can discuss their interests, preferences and next steps in learning in a highly effective way. She has high expectations for their learning and plans a wide variety of activities to support their development. For instance, children delight in decorating pictures of fish with the childminder supporting their language skills successfully. Children use words such as 'shiny' and 'sparkly' as they discuss the fish scales and tail. Children also show high engagement as they participate in song time with props. For example, they enthusiastically count and subtract models of speckled frogs and spacemen from pretend ponds and flying saucers. The childminder joins in with enthusiasm and supports their early mathematical skills very well.

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The provision is good

Children are extremely independent. They enjoy making choices about their play with confidence. They help to tidy up with eagerness and show that they understand this routine extremely well. The childminder is an excellent role model. She is highly attentive and respectful to children's needs and teaches them about kindness and compassion during play. Consequently, children are very polite and behave exceptionally well.

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need to do better?

n The experienced and knowledgeable childminder engages in an extensive range of training to keep her knowledge and skills up to date. For instance, she learns about promoting children's rights and equality. This helps to foster and empower each child's voice and views and helps to ensure positive outcomes for children. n The childminder builds excellent partnerships with parents. She has a well established settling in process where she gradually gets to know children and families very well. The childminder keeps parents well informed about children's learning and development. She creates learning journals and arranges meetings to discuss their progress and ideas for home learning. Parents express very high levels of appreciation for the childminder. They state that they are 'deeply grateful for the exceptional childcare', and that she plays an 'instrumental part' in their children's progress. n The childminder establishes strong relationships with local schools. She arranges

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need to do better?

meetings and compiles transition reports when children leave. She also invites teachers to her setting to get to know children prior to them starting at school. This provides excellent opportunities to share relevant information and helps to support smooth and positive transitions. n The childminder places strong emphasis on developing children's language and communication skills. She asks lots of open questions to support children's vocabulary and thinking skills. Children confidently enjoy showing visitors the childminder's pet tortoise and discuss his 'smooth' shell and favourite food.

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need to do better?

25 September 2025 Children evidently flourish and make strong progress in their communication development. n Children develop a love of reading and stories. They show excellent engagement as they discuss the different animals when reading 'Dear Zoo'. They also recall prior experiences of visiting the zoo. Furthermore, children enjoy frequently borrowing books from the childminder's lending library. This fosters a passion for early literacy. n The childminder is passionate about children having lots of opportunities to learn outdoors. They frequently participate in nature trails in the woods and visits to the park and beach. This helps children develop awareness and understanding of the wider world. However, on occasions, the childminder's planning of activities at her home does not offer the same opportunity to extend and challenge their knowledge and learning to the very highest level. For instance, when children

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need to do better?

play with cars, roads and construction blocks, the childminder provides limited opportunities for them to fully expand their imagination and creativity. n Children have excellent opportunities to learn about healthy lifestyles. For instance, during snack time children discuss how fruits grow and the benefits of different vitamins and nutrients. They also use words such as 'juicy', 'crunchy' and 'sweet' to describe a wide range of fruits. This helps children learn about healthy eating and different foods. n The childminder teaches children about positive behaviour in a highly successful way. She encourages children to discuss their needs and feelings, and role models excellent expressive language. The childminder is very intuitive to children's needs and builds strong bonds with them. Consequently, children show high levels of emotional well-being and very positive attitudes towards 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 enhance opportunities for children to learn through their senses and extend their knowledge and learning to the very highest level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY153179 Local authority Wirral Inspection number 10408124 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 8 Date of previous inspection 27 January 2020

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2002 and lives in Eastham, Wirral. She operates Monday to Friday from 7am to 5pm all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder offers the government funded places for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector and childminder discussed the vision and values of her setting. n The inspector carried out a number of observations and assessed the quality of education. n Parents' and children's views were considered during the inspection. n Essential documentation was viewed. For instance, the childminder's training certificates and suitability information.

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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

25 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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