Childminder in Middlesbrough

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

The childminder is warm and caring. Children are very happy, safe and settled in her care. They build very secure attachments with the childminder. She plans many opportunities for children to develop their independence. Older children very capably cut up their banana at snack time and younger children learn to use the toilet. Children investigate and explore as they play. Younger children enjoy moving soil from one container to another. Older children investigate how liquids dissolve and how colours change in water. The childminder plans challenging activities that help children to build on their previous knowledge. She wants all children to make the best possible progress. However, on occasions, she is little too ambitious in her plans for children's learning.

p.2

The provision is good

Children behave well. The childminder praises children and values their achievements. Children show that they are happy when they spontaneously sing, laugh and giggle as they play. They use their imaginations well. For example, children play with dolls and pretend to bath them and dress them. Due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, parents have not been able to enter the setting. The childminder has staggered pick-up and drop-off times to ensure that she can speak to parents outdoors to tell them about their children's day. When children have not attended during the pandemic, the childminder has kept in regular contact with them through video calls.

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need to do better?

n Overall, the childminder plans activities which help children to achieve what they need to learn next. The childminder knows children well and generally understands how they learn and develop. She makes regular assessments of what children know and can do. The childminder uses her observations to help identify any gaps in children's development. She liaises with other professionals to put plans in place to support children in their development. The childminder is committed to keeping her knowledge up to date to extend her teaching skills further. n The childminder plans activities for children to develop their physical skills. Babies learn to walk while holding onto push-along toys, and younger children learn to climb up the slide safely. Older children enjoy drawing pictures. They confidently cut, roll and shape dough. These skills will help to prepare children well for later learning, such as writing. All children enjoy playing in the garden,

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need to do better?

where they have the space to be active in the fresh air. n Children develop their communication and language skills in the setting. They confidently chat to each other as they play. The childminder provides a commentary when older children play. She introduces new vocabulary, such as 'dissolve' and 'disappear'. When babies babble, the childminder gives meaning to

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need to do better?

4 June 2021 what they have said to help to extend their communication. n The childminder makes sure that she collects information from parents when children first start. This helps her to support children to settle quickly. She follows children's routines from home and is always close by to help them feel safe and secure. The childminder teaches older children about how to recognise and manage their feelings. n The childminder helps children to develop their literacy skills. Children develop a love of reading. They sit in a cosy tent and read stories. Older children turn the pages and point out their favourite characters to their friends. Younger children learn rhymes and join in with the actions. However, the childminder's expectations are sometimes too high when she plans literacy activities for older children. For example, she teaches children about letters and sounds when they have not yet reached this stage of development.

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need to do better?

n The childminder shares regular information with parents about their children's progress. Comments from parents are very positive. They state that their children have made great progress in their social development since starting at the setting. The childminder communicates each day with parents about their children's achievements and what they need to learn next. She uses daily conversations and an electronic system to make sure that parents are kept well informed. n The childminder offers children a stimulating environment to play and learn in. Children freely access resources which cover all areas of learning. However, at times, the childminder plans group activities which do not take account of children's different ages and stages of development. This results in younger children losing interest in the activity on offer.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder attends child protection training to make sure that her knowledge is up to date. She can recognise the signs that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. The childminder knows who to contact if she is worried about the welfare of a child. She constantly supervises children to make sure that they are safe. Children learn to keep themselves safe. For example, they learn the importance of putting on cream to protect themselves from the sun.

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should:

n plan literacy activities more precisely so that they are suitable for children's different ages and stages of development n organise group activities more carefully to make sure that younger children are fully engaged and motivated.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY557321 Local authority Middlesbrough Inspection number 10175248 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 Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2018 and lives in Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday, 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 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 her evaluation of the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. The childminder and the inspector reflected together on children's learning during activities. n The inspector looked at a sample of the childminder's documentation, including children's attendance records and evidence of the suitability of those living on the premises. n The childminder and the inspector carried out a learning walk together. The childminder showed the inspector around the areas of her home that children access. They discussed how the childminder organises her setting, plans activities for children's learning and keeps them safe.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector held discussions with the childminder and children during the inspection. She took account of parents' views by speaking with them and by viewing their written comments.

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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

4 June 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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