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

Children thrive in this setting, where they show they feel safe, happy and valued. The childminder is warm and caring. She wants children to make the best possible progress. Children play happily together and look forward to their friends arriving. They behave well. The childminder teaches children to share, cooperate and take turns. She plans activities to help children learn about the world around them. Children watch with curiosity as caterpillars change. They excitedly tell the inspector that they have changed into a 'chrysalis'. Younger children enjoy feeding the birds and watch out the window at the different types of birds in the garden. Older children are enthusiastic about exploring in the garden. They look for bugs and insects with their magnifying glasses and match them to pictures.

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The provision is good

The childminder is aware of the impact that the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has had on some areas of children's development. For example, she plans opportunities to help children to build their confidence again. The childminder organises visits to local playgroups and community centres. These visits help to give children the confidence to play in a larger group and mix with other children. The childminder helps children to become involved in their wider community. For example, they take part in a walk for toddlers to raise money for charity.

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need to do better?

n The childminder knows children very well, due her observations of what they know and can do. This helps her to plan a curriculum which takes account of what children need to learn next. The childminder identifies any gaps in children's development. She liaises very well with other professionals, such as Portage workers and speech and language therapists. Together, they put plans in place to support children's progress. However, she does not share precise information about children's learning with other settings that children also attend, to help complement children's learning even further. n Children develop their independence well. The childminder organises resources and toys so that children can choose what they want to play with. Older children confidently use knives to spread butter on their toast. Younger children take off their own coats and hang them on low-level pegs. The childminder encourages

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need to do better?

children to do things for themselves at every opportunity. n Overall, the childminder plans activities well that encourage children to develop their early literacy and writing skills. There is a wide variety of good quality books available to encourage children to read. The childminder encourages children to make marks with paint and draw pictures. Younger children develop their fine-motor skills when they pour and empty sand into containers. However, the childminder recognises that she needs to extend her knowledge of how and when to teach children letters and sounds correctly.

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need to do better?

17 June 2021 n The childminder develops children's communication skills well. She engages in meaningful conversations with them, comments on what they are doing and introduces new vocabulary. Young children confidently repeat back new words and phrases. n The childminder helps children develop their mathematical understanding when they play and during routine activities. When older children are cutting up their toast, she encourages them to count. The childminder extends children's learning further by asking them to divide the pieces into 'equal' groups. Younger children learn about size. They talk about 'big' and 'small' objects and compare the height of themselves to their friends. n The childminder involves parents in all aspects of their children's care and learning. Parents speak highly of the service the childminder provides. They comment that she has helped their children to develop their social skills and

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need to do better?

speech and language. When the setting was closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, the childminder made sure that she contacted children and their families. Parents valued her suggestions of how they could extend children's learning at home. n Older children are very caring towards the younger children and happily involve them in their play. For example, they amicably create pretend zoos and farms together with toy animals. Younger children try hard and show perseverance when they complete jigsaws. n The childminder places an emphasis on children being ready for the next stage of their education, such as school nursery. She reads children stories about fictional characters starting playgroup and talks to children about moving on to school. This helps to prepare and reassure children about transitions.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a thorough knowledge of how to keep children safe. She is clear on what to do if she has concerns about a child's welfare and knows who to contact. The childminder teaches children about how to keep themselves safe. Children learn about how to keep themselves safe in the sun and know the importance of washing their hands to clean the 'germs' off. They play in a safe and secure environment.

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should:

n plan professional opportunities to help enhance the teaching of literacy n share more information about children's development and what they need to learn next with other settings they attend, to help extend children's learning even further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY552186 Local authority Middlesbrough Inspection number 10151420 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 3 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Middlesbrough. She operates all year round from 7am to 5.30pm, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-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 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 inspector reflected together on children's learning during activities. n The inspector looked at a sample of the childminder's documentation, including 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 and keeps them safe. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder and children during the

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Inspection activities

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

17 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

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

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