Childminder in Northumberland

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

p.1

The provision is good

The childminder is passionate about her role. Parents believe that children are cared for in a home-from-home environment. They comment that children happily leave them when they arrive at the setting and sometimes do not want to leave. Children develop good relationships with the childminder. Younger children enjoy bringing things to her. They laugh and giggle as she changes their nappies. The childminder has high expectations for what children can achieve. She has thought carefully about how she can continue to provide rich opportunities for physical development during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Children continue to make good progress. They continued to access a wealth of physical play opportunities when play areas and local soft-play centres were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was due to the childminder providing activities in her garden. The childminder enjoys providing activities for children to extend their

p.2

The provision is good

learning further. Older children count accurately and demonstrate good communication skills. Children behave well. The childminder supports them to take turns, which she demonstrates during song time when she encourages older children to allow younger children have a turn.

p.2

The provision is good

Children learn how to keep themselves safe. The childminder teaches children how to use equipment safely. For example, when they prepare lunch, they use knives safely and with good control as they make a sandwich.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder uses her environment effectively to build on what she wants children to learn next. For example, she plans an activity with dough to help older children recall what they have learned about the life cycle of butterflies. She provides a range of activities to help prepare children for their future. n The childminder uses information about children's interests from home and links this with her plans for their learning. For example, she builds on a visit to the farm at the weekend by putting out toy farm animals. She uses this activity well, overall, to introduce animal names to younger children and encourage them to make animal sounds. This helps them to make good progress. n The childminder places a high priority on children's independence. Her environment is organised with this in mind. During the inspection, older children were seen to manage their own personal hygiene independently. They get

p.2

need to do better?

personal belongings out of their storage box and attempt to change their clothes with only a little support. n The childminder has clear plans for how she wants to extend children's learning. For example, she plans to extend older children's counting and encourage younger children to use two-word phrases. She generally builds on this effectively, although, at times, she focuses too much on extending older

p.2

need to do better?

27 May 2021 children's learning. When this happens, the childminder does not make the best use of all opportunities to extend younger children's learning. n Children develop good concentration. Young children enjoy filling their watering cans and spraying water on the path. Older children show very high levels of concentration as they listen to stories, count and play with dough. They focus intently as the childminder explains how to hold scissors and they cut with increasing control. n The childminder evaluates her provision accurately and has identified areas that she wants to improve to enhance children's learning. She works with other childminders to share good practice. She focuses her professional development on improving her practice further. Following recent training on physical development, she has improved the range of activities she provides outside to develop children's muscle skills. n The childminder has thought carefully about how she can share information with

p.2

need to do better?

parents. Parents appreciate the daily feedback and photos they receive. The childminder encourages parents to share information about what their children are doing at home. However, she does not gather enough detailed information about children's learning and development when children first start. n The childminder knows what she wants children to learn in relation to communication and language. She provides activities, such as memory books, to encourage conversation. Older children look at photos and recall what they were doing at the time. The childminder is aware of the stages children go through as they move from using single words to simple phrases. She identifies children who may be slower to develop language and shares strategies with parents to help them catch up.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a good knowledge of the signs and symptoms that may indicate abuse to children. She knows the procedures to follow should she have a concern about a child. Her policies are concise and underpin her practice well. The childminder ensures that she keeps her knowledge and skills up to date. For example, she has recently updated her safeguarding training to ensure that her knowledge is current. The childminder recognises the importance of helping children to stay safe online. She shares a variety of information with parents about online safety. Her home is safe and well maintained.

p.3

should:

n strengthen partnership with parents and gather more details about what children know and can do when they first start, to strengthen learning even further

p.3

should:

27 May 2021 n make better use of all opportunities to extend younger children's play and learning, to provide consistently high levels of support and challenge.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY555300 Local authority Northumberland Inspection number 10174566 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Cramlington, Northumberland. She operates all year round from 7am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 6.

p.5

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 childminder showed the inspector around the parts of the property she uses for childminding and explained how she plans to support children's learning. n The inspector observed children playing, inside and outdoors, and evaluated how this supports children's learning. n The inspector took account of parents' views. n The childminder evaluated an activity with the inspector. n The inspector talked to the childminder and children at appropriate points during the inspection. n The childminder showed the inspector a range of documents, including those relating to her suitability.

p.5

Inspection activities

27 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

27 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.

p.6

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.7

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7