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

The childminder plans an exceptional curriculum to expand continuously on children's experiences from their home environment. For example, she enables children to develop a great appreciation for their local community as they take part in an abundance of outings. These learning opportunities allow children to develop excellent physical skills and explore the natural world in which they live. The childminder actively encourages children to become highly independent. She joins in sensitively with their play to extend their learning. The childminder completes comprehensive observations on children during their activities. She uses this information meticulously to identify children's precise next steps and swiftly narrow any possible gaps in their development. The childminder capably records children's outstanding achievements to highlight their attainments over time. This supports them to make the very best possible progress.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are extremely polite and continually use good manners. They willingly make their own choices as they play and are positively involved in decision-making alongside the childminder. For instance, children vote for their favourite activities and daily routines to help them to gain a strong understanding of democracy. The childminder is tremendously calm and consistent in her approach. She has remarkably high expectations for children's behaviour and provides them with very clear explanations. The childminder skilfully encourages children to listen to boundaries to ensure they remain safe and secure at all times.

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need to do better?

n The childminder establishes first-rate partnerships with parents from the outset. Parents are actively involved in recognising their children's starting points during the highly effective settling-in procedure. The childminder positively encourages parents to share ongoing details about their children's abilities and achievements at home. This creates a very consistent approach to children's care and learning. n Children are extremely interested and engaged for long periods. For example, they keenly extend their imaginative skills and begin to act out stories while they join in role play. The childminder skilfully supports children to learn about differences and similarities in people. Children eagerly talk about toy figures and their various occupations while the childminder introduces new vocabulary, such as 'shopkeeper' and 'fishmonger'. n The childminder places an exceptionally strong importance on fostering

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need to do better?

children's emotional well-being. She helps children to develop extremely nurturing and trusting relationships effectively. Children show increasingly high levels of confidence and independence as they play and learn. The childminder successfully supports children to become very familiar in new environments and social situations, such as visits to toddler groups.

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need to do better?

27 February 2020 n Children display high levels of excitement and delight as they investigate a wide selection of musical instruments alongside the childminder. They easily create various noises and sounds while moving their bodies to the beat. Children enthusiastically explore different speeds as the childminder expertly discusses the concept of slower and faster when using the instruments. This helps to continually expand on children's mathematical development. n The childminder is highly devoted to refreshing her skills and knowledge. She accesses professional development opportunities to impact successfully on children's future outcomes. For instance, the childminder has recently attended training on how to support communication and language skills to meet children's individual learning needs. n Children listen extremely attentively to the childminder, who is very passionate when reading familiar stories to them. She links books to popular songs and

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need to do better?

rhymes to support children to develop excellent literacy skills. Children thoroughly enjoy turning the pages of the book as they investigate different textures and use their fingers to follow the spider's web. n The childminder has an exceptionally thorough understanding of how to prepare children for their eventual move on to nursery and school. For example, she has started to participate in a local authority initiative for school readiness. This will enable the childminder to aid two-way communication with teachers to support children well in their future learning and development. n Children are provided with a wide variety of wholesome meals and snacks. They follow highly effective hygiene practices, including thorough handwashing procedures. The childminder helps children to understand fully the importance of maintaining high levels of good health.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has an excellent knowledge of how to protect children's welfare. She continually accesses online resources to ensure she keeps fully updated with changes to safeguarding guidance and legislation. The childminder efficiently maintains well-organised documentation, including a robust range of policies and procedures, to underpin her outstanding practice. She devises focused improvement plans to identify specific ways to enhance her overall provision. The childminder successfully supports children to develop a very secure understanding of their own safety. For instance, she provides consistent reminders to clear away resources from the floor area to minimise potential risks and to prevent harm.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY315532 Local authority Northumberland Inspection number 10117089 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 3 to 5 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4 Date of previous inspection 13 August 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2005 and lives in Morpeth, Northumberland. She operates all year round, from 7.45am to 6pm, Tuesday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for two- and three-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder carried out a learning walk with the inspector to discuss how she organises the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The childminder completed an evaluated activity with the inspector. n The inspector looked at a sample of documentation, including children's learning folders, training certificates and the suitability of all adults living in the household. n The childminder spoke with the inspector at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector took account of the views of parents through written questionnaires and references.

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Inspection activities

27 February 2020 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

27 February 2020 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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