Childminder in Durham

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

The childminder places the children at the heart of everything she does. She believes their welfare is paramount. She values children's personal, social and emotional development and plans a range of activities to help develop children's confidence. Children are happy and are keen to engage the childminder in their play. Parents comment that her kindness and compassion help children to develop in confidence.

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The provision is good

The childminder challenges children in their learning. She has high expectations of what they can achieve. For example, she encourages children to do things for themselves. She plans activities to build specific skills, such as children's vocabulary. Children listen intently to the childminder, but she does not always give them opportunities to express their own ideas. Children enjoy their learning. The childminder plans activities to build on children's fascination with numbers. Children concentrate intently as they find numbers in dry coloured rice. They happily match them to number cards and talk about the different numbers they have found. The childminder now needs to consider how she can develop children's counting skills as they play.

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The provision is good

The childminder ensures children are safe. For example, visitors sign in and out of her home and nobody can enter the premises unattended.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is keen to be the best she can be. She uses professional development to reflect on her practice and this helps her to improve further. Recent training has strengthened her understanding of how children develop early writing skills. She now has a very good understanding of the stages in which children develop early writing and plans activities to support these stages. n Children have a very good relationship with the childminder. They are really happy as they sit on her knee and look at books. Children laugh in delight as they play with bubbles and burst the bubbles the childminder has blown. n The childminder uses children's interests to develop their learning further. For example, she builds on children's fascination with numbers and shapes. She looks at books about numbers and talks about shapes as they draw. She reinforces this further as she cuts toast into oval shapes. However, the

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need to do better?

childminder occasionally misses opportunities to help to reinforce counting during children's play. n The childminder prepares children well for their future learning. She reviews children's learning and identifies where they need support. The childminder works extremely well with parents to share information about children's learning. She guides them about how they can support children's learning at home. For

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need to do better?

13 September 2019 example, she has recently talked to parents about how they can help children to develop their self-help skills. n The childminder helps children to be independent. She encourages them to try to put on their shoes and coat, and to feed themselves. They understand that they must wash their hands before eating and when they have been outside. n The childminder plans interesting and enjoyable activities. Children concentrate well. For example, they are excited to discover model dinosaurs that have 'hatched' out of eggs in the childminder's garden. Children are keen to hunt for the other dinosaurs and persevere as they explore how they can make these stand up. n The childminder speaks clearly and offers a commentary on what children are doing. However, children are not always able to articulate what they know because the childminder asks many questions. She does not always give them opportunities to answer.

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need to do better?

n Good behaviour is managed well. The childminder supports children well to manage their feelings and emotions. She recognises when children need support and provides reassurance when they are unsure or tired. n The childminder helps children to look after their own personal needs in an age- appropriate way. Children are reminded to wash their hands before eating and feed themselves. They develop their independence as they chop a banana for snack. Children take risks and solve problems as they learn to use a knife safely and to hold the fruit at the same time.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a good knowledge of signs and symptoms that may indicate possible abuse to children. She knows who to contact should she have any concerns about a child's welfare. The childminder is committed to ensuring her knowledge and skills are kept up to date. For example, she attends regular training and demonstrates an excellent understanding of wider safeguarding issues. Her home is safe and well maintained.

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should:

n make better use of all opportunities to promote children's counting in their play n give children more time to think and respond to questions to explain their thoughts and ideas.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 314027 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10117021 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 1 to 7 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4 Date of previous inspection 2 July 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1999 and lives in Meadowfield, Durham. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the childminder. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household. n The inspector spoke to children during the inspection. n The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided.

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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

13 September 2019 13 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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