Childminder in Darlington

Overall effectiveness Good

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

p.1

The provision is good

The childminder is warm and friendly and has established excellent relationships with the children in her care. Children are provided with an exciting and stimulating learning environment. The childminder has high expectations for children's behaviour. Children behave extremely well as they play alongside each other. Older children share resources and take turns. Younger children are beginning to manage their own feelings and behaviour. When they struggle with regulating their behaviour, the childminder provides emotional support and explains what behaviour is expected. Children respond positively. This helps them to develop a sense of right and wrong.

p.2

The provision is good

Children enjoy a wealth of opportunities and experiences that help them to learn about the world around them. For example, they go for walks in the local community and regularly visit the childminder's allotment. Children enthusiastically recall how they helped to grow tomatoes during the summer. Children enjoy a range of healthy foods at lunch and snack time. They benefit from spending time outdoors each day and enjoy visits to the local park for exercise to develop their large-muscle skills. Children enjoy regular visits to toddler groups. They learn important social skills, such as effective communication and being aware of the feelings of others.

p.2

need to do better?

n Relationships with parents are a strength. The childminder gathers information from parents about what children can do, when they first start at the setting. She shares information effectively about children's learning and development, and helps parents to support children's learning at home. This helps to promote good levels of consistency and continuity for children. Parents are very complimentary of the childminder. They say that she provides a 'safe and loving environment' and they 'could not ask for better'. n The childminder constantly interacts with children, asking them questions. This helps to develop their communication skills and extend their learning during activities. Young children babble animatedly with the childminder as they play. She repeats words back to them to support their language development. n Children practise making marks and enjoy listening to stories. The childminder helps them to explore their mathematical understanding. For example, she

p.2

need to do better?

encourages younger children to count animals and supports older children to recognise numbers on a tape measure. n Children demonstrate excellent levels of independence. The childminder encourages very young children to try blowing their noses themselves. Furthermore, they feed themselves very well during mealtimes and access their own resources. Older children have impeccable manners. For example, they ask

p.2

need to do better?

26 November 2019 if they can leave the table after meals. Furthermore, they show excellent skills in their own personal care needs. Children thrive on the positive praise and encouragement from the childminder. They show consistently high levels of motivation, cooperation and respect for each other. n The childminder is a reflective practitioner. She considers her practice and adapts the environment and resources to meet individual children's needs. The childminder has attended mandatory training. However, she does not make the best use of self-evaluation to identify and target professional development opportunities, to help raise the quality of her teaching to an even higher level. n The childminder continually observes and assesses children's development. She plans activities to support what they need to learn next. For example, when reading a story, the childminder encourages children to develop their language

p.2

need to do better?

skills and name the animals. However, sometimes during activities, she does not always reshape activities as they progress to give all children the challenge they need to learn as much as possible from these. n The childminder is attentive to children's physical and emotional needs. She supports children with cuddles and kind words when they become tired. Children cooperative very well with care routines, such as nappy changing. n Children happily engage in pretend play as they recreate roles and experiences in play situations. For example, they mimic applying sun cream to their bodies, dress up and have a picnic. This helps to develop children's imaginative skills.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder understands her responsibility to help keep children safe from harm. She regularly updates her safeguarding training and has a good understanding of child protection and wider safeguarding issues. For example, the childminder is aware of the procedures to follow if she has concerns that a child is being exposed to extreme views or behaviours. Furthermore, she is confident of the procedures to follow should an accusation be made against her or a member of her household. The childminder is vigilant and supervises children well. She carries out regular risk assessments to minimise risks and keep children safe.

p.3

should:

n use self-evaluation to focus on a programme professional development, to raise the quality of teaching to an even higher level n adapt activities in response to children's changing learning needs and promote further challenge to provide every child with the best possible learning opportunities.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 502377 Local authority Darlington Inspection number 10117683 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder Age range of children 1 to 10 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 16 Date of previous inspection 15 July 2015

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2001 and lives in Darlington. She operates from 7am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, during term time only. The childminder receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

p.4

Inspection activities

n Parents' written views and comments were taken account of by the inspector. n The inspector observed interactions between the childminder and the children. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n Relevant documentation, including evidence of the suitability of the childminder and other adults living on the premises, was checked by the inspector. n The inspector evaluated an activity with the childminder.

p.4

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.

p.4

Inspection activities

26 November 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.5

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.5

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.5

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.5