Scown, Donna Marie

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children are clearly settled and enjoy their time in the childminder's care. They approach the childminder with confidence and affection. They are happy, enthusiastic in their play and have a positive attitude to learning. Children build good relationships with their peers. They look forward to their friends returning from nursery and school and enjoy each other's company. For example, they have great fun together as they pretend to be 'stomping elephants' and 'waddling penguins' during a music-and-movement activity. Children are becoming increasingly independent in preparation for starting school. They wash and dry their hands, and take off their shoes when they arrive at the setting. The childminder is consistent and fair in her behaviour management. As a consequence, children have a growing understanding of the difference between right and wrong. They quickly learn, through the childminder's patient guidance, how to share and

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The provision is good

take turns. The children love being outdoors. With this in mind, the childminder makes good use of the local area to enable them to appreciate the world in which they live. When the restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic allow, children enjoy walks to the river to see the wildlife and trips to parks to use the equipment. They learn about nature and consolidate this through activities such as planting seeds and observing the life cycle of butterflies.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is mindful that some children's lives have been through significant changes and challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She is aware of the impact of this on some aspects of their development. For example, she places a strong focus on helping children to regain confidence and improve their speech and language skills. This helps them to acquire skills to prepare them for the next stage of their education. n When the childminder identifies a gap in development, she addresses this quickly and plans activities to help children progress. She is fully aware of where to get help and support to ensure that all children reach their potential. That said, she has not explored all possibilities for how she can work with other settings that children attend. Consequently, all practitioners are not working together to help children catch up in their learning. n The childminder considers children's interests and next steps for learning when

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need to do better?

planning activities. For example, a baking activity helps children who struggle to focus, concentrate and listen to instructions. They carefully follow the childminder's guidance on how many spoons of flour to add and how much they need to stir the mixture. n The childminder develops children's language well. She engages in conversations with them, repeats sentences back to them and introduces new words. She reads to children and uses songs and rhymes to build their vocabulary further.

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need to do better?

7 May 2021 n Children's physical development is well supported. There are good opportunities for them to practise their small- and large-scale movements to build their control and coordination. For example, children strengthen their hands and fingers by using items such as scissors and cutters. This helps to support their fine motor skills effectively. n Partnerships with parents are strong. They speak highly of the childminder and the care she provides for their children. Parents' knowledge of their children and their hopes and aspirations are taken into account when the childminder plans for learning. As they are unable to go into the setting as they would usually, the childminder has adapted the way she gains their views and ideas. She makes time to have conversations with them outdoors and uses digital technology so that everyone is kept involved and informed. n The childminder values the feedback she gets from parents and children and

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need to do better?

uses this to plan her provision. For example, children are fully consulted about activities and food menus. She is keen to raise her knowledge and skills to help her improve and develop her childminding provision. However, she has not fully considered how and when she can do this.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder keeps children safe and promotes their welfare. She is confident about protecting children from all forms of abuse, including online dangers and extremism. Her understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect is secure. She knows how to record and report child protection concerns and how to manage any allegations that may be made against her. She ensures that her knowledge is up to date by attending regular safeguarding training. The childminder raises children's awareness about personal safety through frequent conversations with them and by being a positive role model. Her home is safe and secure, and appropriate steps are taken to keep children safe when on outings. The childminder continually reviews her procedures and policies to ensure that they support her in keeping children safe.

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should:

n work with other settings that children attend to ensure that learning and development are fully and consistently promoted n implement a programme of professional development to raise the quality of practice and teaching to the highest levels.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY557094 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10174919 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

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 15 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2018 and lives in Stanhope, Bishop Auckland. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for three-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 pandemic began. The Inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching activities and assessed the impact of these on children's learning. n The inspector completed a learning walk and a joint observation of an activity with the childminder. n The inspector spoke to the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n A sample of documentation was viewed by the inspector, including evidence of the childminder's suitability. n The inspector took account of the views of parents and carers through telephone conversations and written testimonials.

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Inspection activities

7 May 2021 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

7 May 2021 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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