Childminder in Northumberland

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

This experienced and well-qualified childminder places children at the heart of everything she does. She provides children with a safe, relaxed, warm and welcoming home-from-home environment. Children feel confident as they freely select their activities and resources. The childminder is highly skilled at extending spontaneous activities. For example, children freely play the piano as they investigate the differences in sounds and tones. The childminder supplements these investigation skills with additional instruments and starts to tap out rhythms.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder is an excellent role model for children. She implements extremely effective behaviour strategies to help them understand boundaries and to learn to respect each other. The childminder praises children highly for their achievements and perseverance. This helps to develop their confidence. Children learn to work together. When children are ill, they show great affection and concerns for their peers as they offer cuddles.

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The provision is outstanding

Children independently become deeply engrossed in role play. The childminder provides props and resources to support their passion for activities, helping to spark their flourishing imagination. She asks appropriately challenging questions during activities. This helps to immerse children in a language-rich environment, further extending their already wide vocabulary and confidence to speak to others.

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need to do better?

n Children are extremely well prepared for the next steps in their learning and the eventual move to school. Mathematics underpins all activities. Children spontaneously count and match pictures of 'people who help us'. They recognise and match colours as they discuss what the people wear and count the various parts. n Partnerships with parents are first class. From the very first visit, the childminder ensures that parents' input is valued and she gathers a wealth of information to enable her to plan for the children's next stage of development. Her accurate and extensive systems enable parents to contribute to their child's progress, and the childminder supports parents to extend and consolidate learning at home. Parents comment on how children develop 'key life skills' and that the childminder 'is truly amazing'. n The childminder recognises the importance of evaluating the quality of the care and education she provides. She regularly gathers detailed feedback from

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need to do better?

parents, to support her in evaluating the quality of her provision and help her make continual improvements. The childminder engages in a wide variety of opportunities to enhance her already excellent knowledge and understanding of how children develop and learn, including training courses, workshops and

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need to do better?

19 November 2019 reading professional articles and publications. n The childminder encourages children of different ages and abilities to join in with her extremely well-planned activities. She confidently sets a variety of challenges that focus on children's individual learning needs, helping to build on what they already know and can do. Children show an exceptional interest in books. They listen attentively and respond with understanding as the childminder reads to them. For example, children read a story about pumpkins and make connections to their own pumpkins at Halloween. They are animated as they talk about what they did and how they dressed up as pumpkins. n Through her comprehensive observations and assessments of children's progress, the childminder is able to plan and provide activities that inspire and excite children. She confidently identifies any gaps in their learning, provides activities to close those gaps and supports their rapid progress.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is very successful in promoting the ways that children develop an understanding of the wider world. Children benefit from regular opportunities to go out within the local community. They access the local parks to use large climbing equipment and visit various groups to support their social skills. From a young age, children gain a thorough understanding of their self-care needs. They know the importance of healthy lifestyles and, for instance, the best methods for washing their hands to get rid of germs. n This caring and nurturing childminder establishes excellent relationships with children and their families. Children settle quickly and develop a deep sense of belonging. They are extremely confident, independent and motivated learners who are eager to play and explore.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has an excellent knowledge and understanding of how to ensure that children are kept safe and protected. She has accessed training on safeguarding and other wider issues, such as the 'Prevent' duty. The childminder has developed an in-depth understanding of the signs of abuse, the procedures to follow and the records to keep should she have any concerns about a child's welfare. All risks within the home are minimised and addressed through rigorous risk assessments, and she is vigilant throughout the day. The childminder encourages children to take risks within their play and to learn about maintaining their own safety, for example understanding stranger danger and road safety.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 506988 Local authority Northumberland Inspection number 10117042 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 2 to 5 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection 13 April 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1995 and lives in Alnwick. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3.

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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 childminder and the inspector evaluated an activity. n Throughout the inspection, the inspector discussed various issues with the childminder. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household. n The inspector interacted with and 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

19 November 2019 19 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.

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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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