Childminder in Darlington

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

The childminder provides a warm and welcoming learning environment. Young children clearly demonstrate strong bonds with the childminder. For instance, they are excited to see the childminder when they arrive at her home and immediately start to explore their surroundings. Children are happy, settled and confident in her care. They show that they feel safe as they approach her for reassurance or for help. For example, babies gesture when they want to listen to music and then move delightedly to the rhythm. The childminder is a positive role model, who provides a wealth of praise and encouragement. This supports children's good emotional well-being. Children make their own free choices during play, such as when they enthusiastically place pieces into a jigsaw frame. They cooperate well and are kind and helpful towards each other. For example, children share resources and take turns during an art activity. The childminder intentionally weaves a variety

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The provision is good

of learning opportunities into children's experiences. For example, she talks about colours, helps children to squeeze the bottles and to count the number of different paints. Young children enjoy using all of their senses as they spread the materials around and practise their small-muscle skills and mark-making skills.

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need to do better?

n Children have plenty of opportunities to learn about their wider community. They regularly visit parks, shops, playgroups and other places of local interest. Children develop good social skills and enjoy playing alongside others. They are kind and helpful towards each other. Their behaviour is consistently very good. n Parents are complimentary and speak highly of the childminder and their children's experiences in her care. The childminder is passionate about providing a high-quality service for families. She seeks the views of children and parents to help her to make any changes to her provision. n The childminder is committed to improving her knowledge and skills continuously. She attends training and meets with early years professionals, including other childminders, for discussions and updates. She completes targeted research and uses these findings to help her to address individual children's needs.

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need to do better?

n Young children engage well in their chosen activities and are motivated and enthusiastic learners. They show high levels of independence. For example, young children willingly take off their shoes when they arrive at the childminder's home. n Children enjoy listening to stories from their favourite books. Young children join in with familiar songs and rhymes. The childminder introduces new vocabulary and encourages children to contribute to conversations. This helps to support the development of their good communication and language skills. n Young children follow good hygiene routines. For example, they use individual

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need to do better?

9 September 2019 distinctive hand towels, after washing their hands, to prevent cross- contamination. The childminder gives clear messages about healthy lifestyles. For example, she provides nutritious snacks and meals and children benefit from exercise, such as at soft-play centres. n There is a good range of stimulating resources available indoors that capture children's attention and cover all areas of learning. For instance, children delight in making marks when they print using paint and fruit that the childminder has cut in half. The childminder knows the children in her care very well and is generally sensitive and responsive to their needs. n The childminder has identified that she needs to extend opportunities for outdoor learning further. She does not provide an equally wide range of exciting activities and resources outside, particularly for those children who prefer to learn outdoors. n Partnership working with parents is firmly in place. There is effective

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need to do better?

communication between the childminder and parents overall. For instance, the childminder keeps parents informed about their child's progress. However, the childminder does not consistently gain detailed information about children's learning at home, in order to help her to plan precisely for each individual child.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder demonstrates a secure knowledge of signs of abuse and what action to take if she has any concerns about a child's welfare. She completes updates to her training and shows a good knowledge of wider child protection issues. The childminder uses a range of strategies to help to keep children safe. For example, she records visitors to her home, ensures doors are locked and supervises children closely at all times. The childminder carries out checks to her home to help ensure that all areas used by children are suitable.

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should:

n enrich the range of activities and resources available outdoors to help support those children who prefer to learn outside n develop ways of encouraging parents to contribute information about their child's learning at home, to support more precise planning for each child.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 507002 Local authority Darlington Inspection number 10116717 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder Age range of children 0 to 2 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection 14 November 2014

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1994 and lives in Darlington. She cares for children four days a week, from 7.30am to 6pm, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She holds an early years qualification at level 3. The childminder provides funded early education for two-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector spoke to the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and assessed the impact of this on children's learning. n The inspector completed an evaluated activity with the childminder. n The inspector looked at evidence of the suitability of adults living and working at the premises. She discussed with the childminder how she keeps children safe in her care, both in her home and on outings. n The inspector spoke to parents and took account of their views and the views of others expressed in written feedback.

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Inspection activities

9 September 2019 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

9 September 2019 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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