Childminder in Darlington

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 19 October 2016 26 September 2012

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 The childminder and her assistant are very caring and give children their full attention, providing a secure and nurturing atmosphere. Children show a very strong sense of belonging. They settle quickly and demonstrate that they are extremely happy in this highly stimulating and interesting learning environment.  The childminder forges excellent working partnerships with schools and professionals. She shares information and works closely with them to ensure children's needs are met and to help them make the most progress possible.  Children's health is extremely well promoted. A great deal of time is spent outdoors and an excellent range of experiences are provided. Children are very active and relish exploring the environment and engaging in the many physical activities on offer.  The learning environment both indoors and outdoors is organised and resourced with high-quality toys and equipment, including natural materials. Children thrive in this

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This provision is outstanding

highly stimulating learning environment.  The childminder recognises the importance of establishing children's starting points through close partnership working with parents. She follows these up with detailed observations and highly secure assessments to help her provide rich, varied and imaginative learning experiences.  The childminder has very high expectations of her own practice and that of her assistant. She has a strong and proactive approach to continuous professional development. She closely monitors the work of her assistant and encourages and supports her to widen and develop her childcare knowledge.

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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

 explore even more ways to help all parents to share information about what their children do at home to contribute to the already excellent activity planning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector talked to the childminder and her assistant about their practice at appropriate points throughout the inspection.  The inspector observed a range of activities and spoke to children.  The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of the childminder and adults living or working on the premises.  The inspector looked at written feedback from parents and took account of their views.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

Safeguarding is effective. The childminder and her assistant have an excellent understanding of their role in promoting children's safety and well-being. They have an up-to-date knowledge of child protection procedures and know what to do should they have concerns about a child's welfare. The childminder is passionate about her work and reflects continually on her practice to ensure continuous development. For example, she is currently looking at additional ways to engage parents even more in the learning provision. Parents pay the childminder and her assistant the highest accolades. For example, they say, 'The care my child has received has been nothing other than outstanding' and, 'A perfect balance of education and fun within a homely, nurturing environment'.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

The childminder has an excellent understanding of how young children learn. She is highly responsive to their learning preferences, individual interests and achievements. Funding received for children is used successfully to improve their development and enhance their learning. The childminder and her assistant are extremely skilful in the way they interact with children. They consistently and enthusiastically talk to children, observing their actions and modelling spoken language. They ask questions which help children to think deeply and explain their answers. Excellent use is made of community facilities to enhance and develop children's understanding of the world around them. Frequent trips are organised to places, such as museums, local markets, outdoor education groups and the mobile library.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

The childminder and her assistant provide exceptionally high-quality care for children. Parents report that their children settle quickly and develop excellent emotional relationships with the adults caring for them. The childminder and her assistant set very clear boundaries for children's behaviour. They expertly teach children to respect each other's views and to be kind to each other. Mealtimes are sociable occasions when the adults and children sit and chat together and share healthy, nutritious food. These times are also used to develop children's independence and understanding of safety. For example, they are encouraged to pour drinks for themselves and taught how to use cutlery safely. Clear messages are given to children about road safety when on outings.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children are extremely well prepared with the key skills needed for the next stage in their learning. They make high rates of progress in relation to their starting points. They are highly motivated and very eager to join in with activities and help with tasks. For example, they enthusiastically pretend to be squirrels during a singing session and take great pride in helping to set the table at snack time. They learn to count, recognise numbers, shapes and letters. They are increasingly independent and are developing very high levels of confidence in different social situations. They form highly positive relationships with adults and other children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY444480 Local authority Durham Inspection number 1060105 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 12 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 18

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 26 September 2012

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2012 and lives in Staindrop. She operates all year round from 8am to 6.30pm, Monday to Thursday and from 3pm to 6.30pm on Fridays, except for family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She 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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