Childminder in Durham

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

The childminder is kind and caring. Children are happy and at ease in her care. She provides a range of appealing activities that they enjoy. For example, they concentrate well while attempting to complete a clock puzzle, identifying the numbers as they slot them into place. However, the childminder's knowledge of the different areas of learning and typical developmental expectations for children's ages is not secure. Her teaching is not consistently focused well enough on what children most need to learn next.

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The provision requires improvement

The childminder embraces each child's unique qualities and personalities. Her practice is inclusive and all children are valued. This helps children to feel safe and secure in her care and to develop positive levels of self-esteem. She has high expectations for children's behaviour and has a fair and consistent approach. Children behave well. They learn to consider the needs of others, and share and take turns.

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The provision requires improvement

Parents are happy with the care the childminder provides. They are grateful for the ways that the childminder has adapted her practice to help their children to settle in to her care. They say she provides a 'warm and friendly family environment'.

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need to do better?

n Self-evaluation and plans for improvement are not effective. Recommendations at the last inspection have not been fully addressed. The childminder has not identified gaps in her knowledge or taken steps to narrow these. This impacts on her teaching, which is not focused well enough on helping children to achieve more. The childminder knows about the requirements for a progress check for children who are aged two years. However, she is unclear about what needs to be included and shared with parents. n The childminder forms effective partnerships with nurseries that children attend. They share their assessments and ideas with her. This helps her to provide some activities that, generally, support and extend children's learning. Nursery staff report that the children cared for by the childminder are well mannered, polite and ready for nursery life. n The arrangements to promote children's good health are effective. Robust

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need to do better?

hygiene arrangements help to protect children from infection. For example, the childminder encourages them to sing a song while they wash their hands. This supports children to wash their hands for long enough and thoroughly. Children benefit from fresh air and exercise, such as when they visit local parks and woodland areas. The childminder works closely with parents to help to ensure individual dietary requirements are met and that meals and snacks are nutritious.

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need to do better?

10 March 2020 n The childminder teaches children to value the similarities and differences between themselves and others. She helps all children to develop confidence and self-assurance and to be proud of who they are. Children show respect and kindness. They develop an age-appropriate understanding of the views and beliefs of others in their community and the wider world. n Children enjoy some experiences that help them to learn about nature. For instance, they enjoy planting seeds and watching flowers and vegetables grow. n The childminder knows which records must be kept, including those for accidents and the administration of medication. However, her knowledge of the legal requirements for the storage of documentation and the need for confidentiality is not secure. For example, accidents are recorded in a list where parents can access details of other children who attend the setting. n Despite weaknesses in teaching, children are eager to join in and are keen to

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need to do better?

share their achievements. For example, they smile with great pride when they show the inspector a finished puzzle. They try very hard to write their name, joining dots that the childminder has prepared for them. n The childminder helps children to develop their independence and confidence. She identifies younger children who are shy or reluctant to play with others and supports them well. For instance, she takes them to group activities and helps them to develop friendships with other children. Older children benefit from opportunities to develop a sense of responsibility.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder's safeguarding knowledge is not up to date. She is not aware of changes to local authority reporting processes. Her child protection procedure is not in line with current legislation and guidance. For example, she is not aware of all action to take if there were an allegation against her. Despite this, the childminder shows a good understanding of the signs of child abuse and neglect. She understands the need to share concerns about children swiftly. The childminder knows this also applies to allegations made with relevant professionals who are known to her. This helps to assure children's welfare.

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Due date

improve knowledge of local safeguarding processes and ensure that procedures are in line with current legislation and guidance 31/03/2020

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Due date

10 March 2020 strengthen understanding of the early years foundation stage learning and development requirements, including the requirement for a progress check for children at two years of age 31/03/2020

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Due date

improve planning to focus teaching on what children most need to learn and to help all to make good or better achievements 31/03/2020

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Due date

improve knowledge of the requirements of the Data Protection Act (DPA 2018), ensuring that all required records are maintained and stored confidentially, in line with this guidance. 31/03/2020

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should:

n evaluate practice to identify and improve weaker areas of knowledge and inform plans for effective professional development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 313572 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10101301 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7 Date of previous inspection 14 March 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1988 and lives in Burnopfield, near Stanley, County Durham. She operates all year round between 6am and 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector around her home and talked about the organisation of her childcare provision. n The inspector observed the childminder's interactions with children and assessed how well she supports their learning and development. n The childminder and inspector talked about some of the activities provided on the day and evaluated the childminder's teaching. n The inspector spoke to the childminder at appropriate times during the inspection. She spoke to one parent and took account of the views of others through written feedback provided. n The childminder provided a range of documents for inspection. These included accident records and evidence of the suitability checks for adults in the household.

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Inspection activities

10 March 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

10 March 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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