Watson, Helen

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children are cared for by a childminder who warmly welcomes them into her setting. They are keen to come in and hurry to find out what activities are on offer. Children, including those who have only been attending for a relatively short period of time, have developed secure emotional attachments to the childminder. For example, they confidently approach her for support and comfort and enjoy cuddles. Children are all safe and very happy in the childminder's care.

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The provision is good

The childminder knows each child extremely well. She develops open and honest relationships with parents and encourages them to share what they know about their child. The childminder regularly observes all children. She plans exciting and challenging activities that keep children interested and focused. She is clear about what she needs to do to help them make progress and has high expectations for all of the children she looks after.

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The provision is good

Children behave very well. They relish helping the childminder do things, such as tidying away or getting out plates at mealtimes. Even the youngest children listen intently to her instructions. Children understand the effect their behaviour can have on those around them and they clearly understand right from wrong.

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need to do better?

n The childminder gains a unique insight into each child she cares for by having constant discussions with their parents, and carefully observing what children can and cannot do. She is highly in tune with what each child likes and is interested in. The childminder uses this information to plan a range of activities that excite and motivate children to learn. For example, they enjoy rides on the train during the holidays. n Children have a wide range of opportunities to increase their vocabulary. The childminder successfully uses their interests, such as farms and animals, to introduce new words like donkey. Children smile when they make noises associated with the new animals that they have looked at in a book. n The childminder has a good understanding of the prime areas of learning. She constantly talks to children about what they are doing and plans opportunities for singing and action rhymes. This helps children become confident

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need to do better?

communicators. n The childminder is a highly successful role model for children to learn how to behave well. She consistently praises their efforts, which builds their confidence and teaches them good manners. Children respond when the childminder reminds them about her behavioural expectations. However, she misses opportunities to help children develop a deeper understanding of why these expectations are in place.

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need to do better?

28 February 2020 n Children are independent learners. They confidently get out resources such as buses and trains to play with. The childminder listens to the decisions children make. She consistently encourages them to think about what they want to do and offers suggestions to the younger children she cares for. n Since her last inspection, the childminder has worked hard to consider how to improve her practice. She has strengthened procedures for assessing children's learning and this has helped her to see where children are at in their learning. The childminder has considered the things she wants to improve that will benefit the children. n The childminder persists in updating her knowledge of how young children play. For example, she finds out about different styles of play on the internet. The childminder is aware of how she would seek additional support for children as she would discuss this quickly with parents. However, she is not sufficiently

p.2

need to do better?

proactive in obtaining advice from other professionals to strengthen her practice further. n Parents are involved in their child's learning. The childminder regularly talks to them about what the children are learning at her setting and suggests things they can do to help them at home. Parents are very complimentary about the care that is provided, and they say their child is happy, which makes them happy.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has increased her knowledge of safeguarding. She completes daily risk assessments to ensure that the areas and the toys are safe and suitable. The premises are secure. The childminder has updated her knowledge of the 'Prevent' duty and knows the policy she would follow if she has a concern about a child in her care. If she noticed any concerns, she would monitor these against what she already knows about the child. For example, if they were unlikely to fall over with her and started having more falls at home, she would become concerned.

p.3

should:

n further develop the good partnerships that are in place with external agencies to ensure that when there are any emerging concerns about a children's development, these are acted upon swiftly to narrow any gaps n make better use of all opportunities to help children develop a deeper understanding of why the behavioural expectations are in place

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY376037 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10106992 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 10 Date of previous inspection 3 May 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2008 and lives in Chester-le-Street. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. She holds an appropriate qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector completed a learning walk to understand how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised. n A joint observation was carried out by the inspector and the childminder. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder, parents and children. n The inspector looked at a sample of the childminder's documents, including policies and procedures, children's records and training.

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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

28 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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