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 Met

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The provision is good

Children are very happy and safe in the childminder's care. They have secure attachments with the childminder and her assistant. The childminder makes sure that she finds out about children's care needs and routines from home. This helps children who are new to the setting settle very quickly. Children are eager to choose what they would like to play with from a wide selection of resources.

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The provision is good

Children behave well. They are engaged in their play and are motivated by the activities on offer. The childminder and her assistant offer children plenty of praise and encouragement. Younger children play happily with construction equipment. They show perseverance and good coordination as they build towers. Children happily share, take turns and talk about what they are doing. The childminder and her assistant challenge children to develop their mathematical understanding when they play. Children match colours, count and name shapes. Older children play imaginatively. They recreate their home experiences when they play with dolls and small play figures.

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The provision is good

The childminder has recognised that due to the restrictions during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, some children are lacking confidence in larger groups and with unfamiliar people. She has, therefore, planned many opportunities for them to visit playgroups and places of interest in community. Children enjoy visiting soft play, role-play centres, the beach and local woods again. These visits also help children to develop an understanding of their community and the world around them.

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need to do better?

n The childminder understands how children learn and develop. She assesses children's development and identifies any possible gaps in their learning. The childminder plans a stimulating curriculum that follows children's interests and takes account of what they need to learn next. n The childminder plans activities that encourage children to become engaged in their learning. Children show good levels of concentration when they take part in creative activities. Toddlers explore paint with their hands and use toy trains to make tracks in the paint. Older children draw shapes and begin to give meaning to the marks they make. These skills help children for later learning, such as writing. n Children listen carefully and follow instructions well. The childminder and her assistant help children to become effective communicators. They speak clearly and introduce new words as children play. For example, as children are

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need to do better?

experimenting pushing cars along guttering, the assistant introduces vocabulary, such as 'up, down, fast' and 'slow'. Younger children quickly learn these new

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need to do better?

16 July 2021 words and use it as they play. n The childminder has conversations with professionals at schools that children also attend. She introduces routines to help children be ready for school. For example, children recognise their names on water bottles and cards to register their attendance. However, the childminder does not share detailed information about children's development and what they need to learn next, to fully complement their learning. n The childminder monitors the work of her assistants and makes sure that they keep their knowledge of how to keep children safe up to date. She gives them suggestions to enhance their practice further. However, the childminder recognises that she has not focused professional development opportunities to extend the quality of education to an even higher level. n Children learn the importance of following a healthy lifestyle. The childminder provides children with nutritious meals, snacks and drinks. They have daily

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need to do better?

access to play outside in the fresh air. Children develop high levels of independence. For example, they wash their own hands and take off their coats and hang them on low-level pegs. n Partnerships with parents are strong. The childminder keeps parents well informed about their children's progress. Parents comment that the childminder helps their children settle very quickly and praise the variety of activities she offers. They appreciate the photos of their children playing that the childminder sends them throughout the day. This helps them to find out about what their children are doing and enjoy in the setting.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has attended recent child protection training. She makes sure that her assistants have a good understanding of what to do if they are worried about a child's welfare. The childminder knows to report any concerns. The childminder and her assistants check the environment regularly to ensure it is free from hazards and keeps children safe. They encourage children to learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, children learn to follow good hygiene practices. They know to put their hand over their mouths when they sneeze and use a clean flannel to dry their hands.

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should:

n share more precise information with other settings that children also attend about children's current stages and development and their next steps in learning n focus more precisely on how professional development opportunities can be used to raise the quality of teaching and learning to a higher level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY422796 Local authority Northumberland Inspection number 10117141 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 18 Number of children on roll 9 Date of previous inspection 21 January 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2011 and lives in Cramlington, Northumberland. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder offers early funded education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. She currently works with two assistants.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 (coronavirus) 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 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 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 records. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder, her assistant and children at appropriate times during the inspection. She took account of the views of

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Inspection activities

parents from written statements available and by speaking to them.

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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

16 July 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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