Childminder in Darlington

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 17 June 2015 Not applicable

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Not applicable How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is outstanding

 The quality of teaching is outstanding because the childminder provides children with an excellent range of rich and challenging learning experiences. As a result, all children show high levels of concentration, motivation and interest in their activities.  Children make rapid progress and gain a comprehensive range of skills needed for school. The childminder uses robust systems to observe and assess children, which ensures their next steps in learning are exceptionally well supported.  The childminder effectively promotes children's mathematical skills as she introduces them to size, distance, position, numbers and colours. For example, children are excited and enthused as they put vehicles and balls down a variety of tubes and the childminder talks about which will be the fastest and will travel the furthest.  Children have formed extremely strong relationships with the childminder and their

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This provision is outstanding

peers. This means children are exceptionally happy, settled and relaxed, which successfully fosters their emotional well-being.  The childminder has developed excellent links with other early years providers and fully understands the importance of working in partnership with local primary schools. This means children are very well prepared for their future move on to the next stage in their learning.  Children have access to a superb range of high-quality resources to promote their all- round development extremely well. The childminder encourages children to be independent learners, which means they confidently manage their own personal needs.  The childminder and her co-childminder work extremely well together and regularly observe each other's practice to ensure teaching is of a consistently high level. They are both qualified to level 3 and attend relevant training to continually refresh their

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This provision is outstanding

skills and knowledge. This means they have a thorough understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 continue to enhance the outdoor area to further extend children's already excellent exploration and investigation skills.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector viewed all areas accessed by the children.  The inspector observed play and learning opportunities for the children.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder.  The inspector spoke with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at and discussed a range of records, policies and procedures with the childminder, including evidence of qualifications and suitability of all adults in the household.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through written references obtained by the childminder.

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who attend. This is outstanding

The childminder has a strong knowledge of how to successfully promote children's learning and development. She plans an excellent balance of adult-led and child-led activities to suit children's individual interests extremely well. As a result, children are highly confident learners because they participate in focused play. The childminder effectively supports younger children's communication and language development very well. She constantly talks to them, models language and introduces new vocabulary to continually extend their understanding. Children show determination and perseverance during construction play, and are challenged well to develop their problem solving skills. This is further promoted as children use large wooden blocks in the childminder's garden as they work cooperatively together to make a climbing frame. The childminder has identified that there is scope to enhance the outdoor area, for example, by providing

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who attend. This is outstanding

further resources for children to explore and investigate. Settling-in procedures are highly effective and ensure parents are able to contribute from the start of the placement. The childminder provides parents with detailed verbal and written feedback on a daily basis, which creates a cohesive approach and enables them to continue their children's learning at home. Consequently, partnerships with parents are exemplary. They make comments, such as 'The kindness and patience that the childminder shows to children and their families is astonishing' and 'We receive a service that is second to none'.

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outstanding

Children's behaviour is excellent because the childminder acts as a positive role model to ensure they fully understand what is expected of them. There is an excellent range of children's work displayed around the playroom, which enables them to feel valued and respected within the homely, caring and nurturing environment. The childminder makes exceptional use of community activities, such as drama sessions, to extend children's personal, social and emotional development. In addition, these experiences allow children to develop their imagination and enhance their self-esteem. Children gain an outstanding understanding of healthy lifestyles, for example, they comfortably recognise the importance of using soap properly when washing their hands to get rid of all the germs. The childminder follows thorough hygiene practices, provides children with a wide variety of nutritious meals and fully understands the benefits of daily physical play.

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provision is outstanding

The childminder ensures children are exceptionally well safeguarded. She successfully implements an extensive range of written policies and procedures, such as the safe use of mobile phones and cameras, to effectively maintain children's welfare. The childminder works extremely closely with other childminders to extend future practice. She fully understands the importance of self-evaluation and strives for continuous improvement to ensure children's learning opportunities are consistently enhanced. This has a very positive impact on children's ongoing progress and development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY479498 Local authority Darlington Inspection number 995734 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 1 - 12 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 21

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2014 and lives in Darlington. She works alongside her mother who is also a registered childminder. The childminder operates from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, for 39 weeks of the year. She has a childcare qualification at level 3.

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Telephone number

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted 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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Telephone number

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. 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 Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, 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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Telephone number

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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Telephone number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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