Childminder in Darlington

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in this exceedingly bright, friendly and welcoming setting. They are extremely settled, happy and secure. The childminder organises her home exceptionally well, helping children to be highly active and independent learners. Babies and young children benefit from a wide range of high-quality resources that promote sensory development, such as coloured play dough, cones and conkers. Older children respect and enjoy the freedom given to them to organise their own play in safe surroundings. The childminder understands the importance of outdoor play. She offers children challenging activities and experiences in the different areas of her garden.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder is very skilful at talking about what she is doing, as she supports the children's learning through play. She cleverly uses key words to describe what she does and shows children how to do things. For example, she carefully rolls the play dough into balls to make 'cakes' and consistently encourages children to have a go by themselves.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

The childminder is an excellent role model and treats each child with respect. She shares their own record books with them. Children delight in seeing photographs of themselves at play and understand how they have grown and developed. The childminder has high expectations for all children and consistently promotes good manners.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is extremely well qualified and experienced. She is clearly passionate about her work and consistently demonstrates high-quality teaching. Her reflective practice is commendable and helps to improve the learning outcomes for children. She regularly looks for ways to gain further skills and widen her professional development. n Children form very close bonds with the childminder, as she knows them exceptionally well. She carefully builds on what children already know and can do, planning new and exciting activities to help extend their learning even further. n Children are making excellent progress in relation to their starting points. They respond well to what the childminder says and shows them. They hear core words in conversations and learn new words in the correct context in their play. Children's speech and language skills, relative to their expected age and stage of development, are advanced.

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need to do better?

n The childminder provides a stimulating, learning-rich environment, both indoors and outside. Children access the resources easily and show high levels of independence. They learn to take risks as they climb onto and use the low

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need to do better?

26 September 2019 trampoline by themselves. The childminder uses her playhouse very well. Inside, she provides a wide variety of age-appropriate writing materials to enable children to 'write' and 'draw' when 'going off to work'. Children discover 'treasure' as they find shells and shiny objects in the sand tray. They smile and feel proud as they climb the steps on the large climbing frame and reach the top without any help. n The childminder's expert teaching means that children respond positively and become totally engrossed in their play. They are curious, enthusiastic and highly motivated. They consistently have excellent opportunities to do things for themselves and to become confident learners. n The childminder has forged very close working partnerships with parents, who value her service highly. They comment on the 'home-from-home' approach and her 'endless patience'. She shares with parents what she does with the children

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need to do better?

daily and offers them accurate information about their children's ongoing learning and development. n Children eat healthy and nutritious food. Young children use a fork and spoon confidently and understand the value of eating together as a social occasion. Children are well behaved and enjoy the close time spent together at mealtimes. Care routines are expertly used as teaching opportunities. For example, the youngest children concentrate as they change their own doll's nappy and clothes, before the childminder attends to their intimate care needs. n The childminder shows consistently that her practice is inclusive. She intuitively knows each child well, their backgrounds and their interests. She uses this information to help each child develop to their full potential, whatever their needs may be. Children have the highest level of care and teaching, to help them progress to the next level in their learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. She knows what to do if she has concerns about a child's welfare and how to contact the relevant authorities. The childminder has completed training specifically for looking at wider aspects of safeguarding, such as the 'Prevent' duty and female genital mutilation. Her home and garden are safe and secure. She looks very carefully at risks during play activities and routines. This helps to keep potential hazards at bay. Children are well supervised when they go on outings and when in contact with the childminder's two dogs.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY386268 Local authority Darlington Inspection number 10117125 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 11 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 12 Date of previous inspection 7 April 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2008 and lives in Darlington. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder is a qualified teacher and is registered to work with an assistant. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this had on children's learning. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder and children during the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the childminder to understand the provision and to see how children's learning is supported. n The inspector examined a range of documents, including policies and procedures, training certificates and risk assessments. n The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided.

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Inspection activities

26 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

26 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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