Childminder in Durham

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children are very happy and settled in the childminder's care. They have a positive attitude towards their play and learning. The childminder offers children a vast range of interesting resources to promote their development. Children develop extremely strong attachments with her. She encourages children to understand boundaries, behave well and learn to stay safe. The childminder is exceptionally warm, kind and caring towards children. She has high expectations for all children and plans challenging activities that help them to build on their previous knowledge. For example, when children make shakers with empty bottles, rice and pasta, the childminder encourages them to develop their mathematical skills. Children sing 'Five Green Bottles' with the childminder and count how many they have left.

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The provision is good

Children use their imaginations well. For example, they play with dolls and a pretend doctor's set. Children confidently talk about giving their dolls 'medicine' and 'plasters' to make them better. The childminder provides excellent opportunities for children to learn about healthy lifestyles. For example, they plant and eat tomatoes, carrots, peas and lettuce. The childminder very much values children's home experiences. Children are encouraged to bring in photographs, postcards and records of their experiences and holidays. The childminder displays these in a large book and children share their home experiences with each other. Additionally, children take home 'George the Giraffe' to help the childminder find out about children's learning at home.

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need to do better?

n The childminder provides activities for children which interest and engage them well. For example, children are highly motivated to mix different-coloured jelly together. However, during activities, the childminder, in her enthusiasm, directs children's learning too much. This means that children do not have time to consistently explore and investigate, to help to develop their natural curiosity. n Children are supported well to enhance their mathematical development. The childminder encourages them to develop their understanding of shape, colour and number when they play. For example, children enthusiastically find hidden numbers in jelly and accurately count to 10. n Overall, the childminder supports children's language skills. She provides a commentary when children play and introduces new vocabulary, such as 'consistency' and 'different'. The childminder uses stories, songs and rhymes to help engage children. However, during activities, she asks children lots of

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need to do better?

questions in quick succession and sometimes answers the questions for them. This does not allow children time to gather their thoughts and answer, to develop their communication skills further.

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need to do better?

26 February 2020 n Children are encouraged to have an excellent awareness of people and communities who are different from themselves. For instance, they enjoy taking part in activities to learn about Chinese New Year. Children made lanterns, tasted noodles, dressed up and visited the Oriental Museum. The childminder takes children on a wide variety of exciting outings, including to the beach, the fire station, den building in the woods and to National Trust properties. n The childminder provides children with superb experiences to develop their physical skills. For example, she takes children to a movement group each week. Children learn to use hoops, beanbags and pom-poms, and run, jump and balance. They play outside in the fresh air, either in her garden or at the park. n The childminder reflects on her practice and identifies ways to enhance the quality of her setting. She collects the views of parents and children, and makes

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need to do better?

changes to benefit the children in her care. For example, children wanted to develop a fairy garden outdoors. The childminder followed children's ideas and suggestions and they made the garden together. n The childminder regularly communicates with parents about their children's achievements and what they need to learn next. Parents are extremely complimentary about the childminder and her service. They comment that their children adore her and they cannot thank her enough for all her help and support. n Children show very high levels of independence. They ably dress themselves, wash their hands and spontaneously tidy up. The childminder teaches children robust hygiene habits that help to promote their good health. Children know that they need to wash their hands to remove germs before eating.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding and child protection. She is aware of the indicators of abuse and the signs to look for. The childminder keeps her knowledge up to date through attending a variety of training. She helps children to learn to stay safe. For example, the childminder teaches children about the importance of road safety as they walk in the community. Children are reminded not to climb on furniture and the childminder clearly explains that this may cause them to hurt themselves.

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should:

n give children more time during adult-led activities to investigate and explore, to help them to develop their curiosity and make their own discoveries n enhance the use of questioning during activities, so that children have time to think and answer, to develop their communication skills further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 313542 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10117016 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 3 November 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1994 and lives in Consett. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's development. The childminder and inspector reflected together on children's learning during their play. n The inspector looked at a sample of the childminder's documentation, including evidence of the suitability of those living on the premises and training certificates. n The childminder showed the inspector around the areas of her home that children access. They discussed how the childminder organises her setting and plans experiences for children. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection. She took account of the views of parents from written statements available.

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Inspection activities

26 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

26 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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