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

Babies and children thrive in the care of this friendly and loving childminder. Parents comment that their children are excited to see the childminder. Children have very good relationships with the childminder and enjoy frequent cuddles throughout the day. Babies demonstrate that they are happy as they laugh in delight when they knock over towers of blocks. They giggle as they knock blocks together and carry them around the room. The childminder has high expectations of what children can achieve, overall. For example, she encourages older children to concentrate intently as they complete complex jigsaws.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are safe. The childminder has thought about the areas of her home where children can play safely. She uses safety gates to ensure that children cannot enter some areas of her home unattended. The childminder teaches children about good hygiene procedures from an early age. Children regularly wash and sanitise their hands to help to reduce the spread of infection. Children behave well. The childminder reminds them how to behave. For example, she reminds older children to use quiet voices. The childminder recognises when they are getting excited and speaks to them calmly and patiently.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder has clear plans for extending children's language. For example, she wants to help toddlers to learn their first words. However, occasionally, the childminder uses phrases that are too long for them to understand. When this happens, toddlers are not consistently able to hear or copy the words she is trying to introduce. n The childminder evaluates her provision and has highlighted areas she could improve further. For example, she knows that she needs to improve the garden to make this more accessible to children. However, the childminder's evaluations are not sufficiently focused on improving the quality of her teaching. This means that there are minor weaknesses in practice that the childminder has not yet identified. n The childminder has recently returned to childminding after a long period of absence. She has completed mandatory training, such as safeguarding and first aid, to keep her knowledge up to date. However, the childminder has identified

p.2

need to do better?

that she needs to do further training to strengthen the quality of her teaching even further. n The childminder has thought carefully about where children are in their learning and what they need to do next. She organises her environment with this in mind. For example, she has reorganised her play space to give babies and toddlers space to move and explore. Older babies delight in moving between the lounge and dining room. They begin to navigate obstacles, such as tables.

p.2

need to do better?

23 July 2021 n Children have an excellent relationship with the childminder and her family. Babies greet the childminder's children enthusiastically when they wake up. They watch with anticipation as her children build towers with blocks for them to knock over. Older children also enjoy playing games and doing jigsaws with them. n The childminder supports children's care needs effectively. She is attentive and responds quickly when babies are upset. When babies are tired, the childminder is very calm and soothing as she rocks them to sleep, stroking their hair. She quickly changes dirty nappies to reduce nappy rash. n The childminder knows what children are interested in and uses this to introduce new learning. For example, she uses babies' interests in stacking beakers to introduce how to fit them inside each other. Babies and young children demonstrate good concentration for their age and stage of development. Babies

p.2

need to do better?

concentrate intently as they try to stack beakers. When they manage to put one inside the other, they try again. n The childminder has a good relationship with parents. She gathers detailed information from them when children first start. Parents appreciate the information she gathers on babies' routines. They feel that she follows these routines in her home extremely well. The childminder shares detailed information with parents about what their children have been doing and anything they have learned. Parents of babies value the information that they receive about their children's sleep, milk and nappies, as well as their day.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a good knowledge of signs and symptoms that may indicate possible abuse to children. She knows the procedures to follow should she have a concern about a child. The childminder has a good understanding of wider safeguarding issues, such as the 'Prevent' duty guidance. She has good procedures in place to keep children safe. These are altered according to children's age and stage of development. For example, the childminder uses protective corners on tables to make sure babies do not hurt themselves. She locks all doors but places the keys out of reach of older children.

p.3

should:

n adapt language more effectively when communicating with toddlers n strengthen evaluations and professional development, and focus more precisely on improving the quality of teaching.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY557615 Local authority Northumberland Inspection number 10175244 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 2 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2018 and lives in Morpeth. She operates all year round from 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider 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 provider. n The inspector talked to the childminder and children during the inspection. n The childminder evaluated an activity with the inspector. n The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided for the purpose of the inspection. n The inspector observed children playing and learning inside. n The inspector interviewed the childminder. n The childminder carried out a learning walk with the inspector and explained how her curriculum is organised.

p.4

Inspection activities

23 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

23 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.

p.5

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.6

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.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6