Childminder in Northumberland

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 17 May 2016 27 November 2013

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Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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Outcomes for children Requires improvement

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This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 The quality of teaching is variable and not yet consistently strong. Sometimes, the childminder does not provide enough support to sustain children's engagement or extend their thinking and learning as they play.  The childminder does not always use assessment to identify exactly where children are in their learning, in order to help identify and prioritise where support is needed.  Self-evaluation is not fully effective. The childminder has not evaluated the quality of teaching to identify where she can improve the overall standard. As a result, professional development has not focused on raising the quality of her and her assistant's teaching.

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It has the following strengths

 The childminder provides a range of resources, activities and outings that supports the development of children's communication, physical and social skills.  Relationships with parents are strong and parents' feedback is positive. They are kept informed about how their children are developing and are given some ideas on how to support their children's learning at home.  The childminder provides a welcoming environment. Children clearly enjoy the time they spend with her. The childminder and her assistant are warm and friendly. Children display confidence and independence in their care. This helps to reinforce their sense of belonging.  The childminder keeps the setting safe and ensures that children are supervised at all times.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage the provider must:

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Due Date

 ensure assessments are carried out on a regular basis to help understand children's level of achievement and to plan support that helps them to make good progress in their learning 31/05/2016

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Due Date

 improve the quality of teaching so that children benefit from consistently good quality interaction and adult support. 31/05/2016

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Due Date

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

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Due Date

 improve the self-evaluation process so that strengths and weaknesses are accurately identified, and plan for ongoing professional development in order to develop existing knowledge and enhance teaching skills further.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the childminder.  The inspector spoke to the childminder, assistant and children throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at children's records, observation and assessment files and a selection of policies.  The inspector took account of parents' views from the written documentation they had provided for the inspection.  The inspector checked evidence of the childminder's qualification and the suitability of all adults living and working in the home.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder and assistant know the appropriate action to take if they have concerns about a child. The childminder reviews her practice to ensure that all requirements and procedures are in place and understood by her assistant. However, she does not reflect on her own or the assistant's practice sufficiently to drive improvements and ensure the quality of her provision is consistently good. She does not sharply focus ongoing professional development plans on continuing to enhance the quality of her teaching skills. The childminder has addressed some of the previous actions and recommendations. She understands the importance of liaising with other early years settings that children attend.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

The childminder sets out resources and provides activities that she knows interest the children and that they will enjoy taking part in. She makes regular observations of children's learning and is aware of their current interests. Assessments are generally accurate. However, they are not always up to date, which means the childminder is not always prioritising where children need the most support. The childminder and assistant play alongside children, generally, supporting their learning and development. However, occasionally they do not provide enough support to sustain children's engagement or extend their thinking and learning as they play. The well-qualified childminder and her assistant do use some good teaching strategies. For example, they model and repeat words, engage children in conversations and ask questions. This helps children to develop their speaking and listening skills.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children develop good relationships with the childminder and her assistant who are sensitive to children's needs and interact positively with them. Toys and resources are accessible to children to enable them to make choices about their play. Both the childminder and her assistant manage children's behaviour positively and use praise and encouragement effectively to boost children's self-esteem. Children are supported in developing an understanding of healthy lifestyles. The childminder provides nutritious snacks and meals each day. Children enjoy daily opportunities for exercise in the garden, promoting their health and well-being. Regular trips to the local parks and other community venues provide children with additional opportunities to learn about the wider world.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Although children are motivated and inquisitive, the childminder does not always make the most of all opportunities to extend their learning and promote their good progress. Nevertheless, children make steady progress in their learning. Children are independent in their self-care skills, such as putting on their shoes and coat. They can understand and follow instructions. Therefore, they are developing some of the skills they need for their future learning and their eventual move on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY271663 Local authority Northumberland Inspection number 1043477 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 12 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 13

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 27 November 2013

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2003 and lives in Blyth, Northumberland. She operates all year round from 6.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, and 7am to 4pm, Saturday and Sunday, except during family holidays. She also provides overnight care. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3 and works with an assistant.

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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

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Telephone number

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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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