Childminder in Durham

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 kind, nurturing and provides a warm and welcoming setting. She gets to know the children very well and together they build strong attachments. This helps her to quickly identify what they need to learn next and support them to make good progress using activities based on their individual interests. Children have a positive attitude to learning. They are visibly eager to join adult-led activities. For example, children use spoons and tongs to scoop ice cream and place it on top of the wafer cone. They develop dexterity as they carefully fill various cake moulds. Children increase their awareness of taste, touch and smell. For example, while they explore the ice cream, the childminder makes comments such as 'is that cold?' and 'can you taste the strawberry?' As the ice cream melts, children discover they can use it to make patterns with their fingers. The childminder skilfully extends children's learning as she counts aloud and models

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The provision is good

mathematical language, such as 'full' and 'empty'.

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The provision is good

Children benefit greatly from the childminder's encouragement and the abundance of praise for their achievements. This reflects in their positive behaviour, helps them to feel valued and raises their self-esteem. Due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the childminder has reduced the time parents are in the setting. She uses drop-off and collection time to give parents detailed information about their child's day and achievements.

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need to do better?

n The childminder recognises the difficult time children have had during the COVID-19 pandemic. She plans well for new young children who are starting in her care. They childminder recognises that they have spent limited time away from their parents. She understands that children need lots of support, empathy and reassurance to help them to settle happily. n The childminder is flexible in her approach to how activities are implemented, overall. She makes good use of what she knows from her assessments of children's development and plans for specific learning intentions for each child. However, very occasionally, the childminder over-directs activities and does not always allow young children to explore and experiment at a pace that suits them. n Children's early language skills are well supported. The childminder consistently responds to children's verbal and non-verbal communication. She interprets and

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need to do better?

rephrases their speech into short sentences. The childminder models the pronunciation of single words and introduces new vocabulary, such as 'helicopter'. n Children learn how to look after themselves. For example, the childminder helps them to understand the importance of washing their hands. They develop self-

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need to do better?

20 July 2021 help skills as they put on their own sun hat and shoes before going outside to play. The childminder plans purposeful activities to support children's fine and gross motor skills. While outdoors, children confidently climb, bounce and manoeuvre equipment. They skilfully fill containers with water and grip a bubble wand to blow small and large bubbles. n The childminder supports children's learning about similarities and differences in society. She helps young children to learn about the local community. For example, they visit the local greengrocer shop to buy fruit to make ice lollies. The childminder supports older children's interest in environmental issues. She has sourced a magazine designed for children to help them learn about environmental topics and new inventions such as the electric and flying car. n The childminder obtains valuable information from parents about their children's

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need to do better?

development when they start a placement. This forms the basis of good relationships with parents. However, the childminder does not actively encourage parents to continue to share information about what children are achieving at home, to help inform her assessments of children's progress. n The childminder genuinely enjoys her work. She is reflective of her practice and is keen to further develop the provision. She continues to develop her early years practice through targeted online research and training. Parents are very happy with the service provided and the progress their children have made since attending. They say their children enjoy spending time with the childminder, and comment on how much the children have learned.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder ensures her safeguarding knowledge is kept up to date through regularly attending training courses. She has a good knowledge of her role and responsibility to ensure children in her care are kept safe. The childminder has a secure understanding of the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. She knows the local referral procedures to follow if she is concerned about the welfare of a child in her care. Regular risk assessments are carried out to ensure children learn and play in a safe environment. She strictly follows additional hygiene measures as a result of guidance issued due to COVID-19.

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should:

n enhance further opportunities for the youngest children to explore and experiment at their own pace n develop further the ways in which parents are encouraged to share information about their children's learning at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2529448 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10197752 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 11 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2019 and lives in Newton Aycliffe. She operates Monday to Friday, all year round from 6.30am to 6pm.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the 2020-21 COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in the evaluation of the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the childminder. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household. n The inspector spoke with the children and parents during the inspection and took account of the views.

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Inspection activities

20 July 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

20 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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