Childminder in Northumberland

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision requires improvement

Children are happy in the childminder's care. Parents comment that their children come home excited to talk about their day. They say their older children thoroughly enjoy spending time with the childminder in the holidays. The childminder generally helps children to learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, children know that they must wash their hands on arrival and wait to hold the childminder's hand when they go up and down the steps outside. However, the childminder has not identified that her outdoor environment is not suitable for all ages of the children she cares for. Children behave well. They respond quickly when the childminder asks them to tidy up before lunch.

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The provision requires improvement

Not all areas of the childminder's curriculum are planned well enough to build on what children already know and can do. Some activities do not take account of children's prior knowledge or skills to challenge and extend their learning further. For example, the childminder plans a painting activity with small pieces of paper. She encourages younger children to keep the paint on the paper before they have the necessary skills to do this. Consequently, children do not consistently benefit from meaningful learning and teaching that are of a high quality.

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need to do better?

n The childminder does not always ensure that her outdoor space, particularly the large play equipment, is suitable for all children. However, children are supervised at all times, which minimises any impact on them. n The childminder has identified that she needs to attend further training to improve the quality of her teaching. However, she has not taken swift enough action to make sure that her practice continually improves. For example, she recognises that she needs to plan more precisely for what she wants children to learn next. However, she has not explored ways in which she can develop and strengthen her skills in this area further. Therefore, not all activities provide an appropriate level of challenge for children. n Occasionally, the childminder does not adapt her language effectively when talking to younger children. Sometimes, the sentences she uses are too long. Consequently, children do not consistently understand what the childminder is

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need to do better?

saying and there are missed opportunities to expand their vocabulary further. n The childminder wants children to develop a love of stories and books. Overall, she uses good strategies to engage children in books. Toddlers enthusiastically greet the bear in a storybook. They laugh and giggle as they stroke him and give him a 'high five'. Older children look at the pictures and begin to join in with repeated phrases. n Children have a good relationship with the childminder. They enjoy a cuddle for reassurance as they get used to the presence of the inspector. Older children

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need to do better?

22 September 2021 demonstrate their growing confidence as they explain to the childminder that they are hungry or need a sleep. They confidently explain what they like to do when they are in the childminder's house. n The childminder has a good relationship with parents. She uses a range of methods to communicate with parents. Parents comment that they like to see what their children have been doing during the day. n Despite weaknesses in planning, the childminder provides enjoyable activities that are based on children's interests. Children thoroughly enjoy playing with the toy farm animals. Older children enjoy sorting animals into groups. They enthusiastically play a game of matching pictures of animals. n The childminder helps children to understand how to keep themselves safe online. She helps children to understand when they might be at risk. For example, the childminder talks to children about the dangers of social media

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need to do better?

platforms and playing games online. She shares information with parents about how they can keep their children safe. The childminder works with parents to ensure that children use the internet and social media safely. n Children develop an understanding of how they can keep themselves healthy. The childminder ensures that food is healthy. She builds on work that children are doing in school about dental hygiene and reinforces messages with children about brushing their teeth regularly. n Children enjoy their learning. They concentrate well overall, even when things go wrong. For example, two-year-old children carefully stack the beakers. They are very proud of their achievements. Children patiently rebuild the tower when babies knock it down. The childminder helps them to manage their frustrations when it happens again.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a very good understanding 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 in her care. The childminder has recently undertaken training to ensure that her knowledge and skills are up to date. She has a strong understanding of broader aspects of safeguarding, such as the 'Prevent' duty and issues such as female genital mutilation. The childminder makes sure that her home is clean. She updates her first-aid certificate in a timely manner to ensure that her knowledge is current.

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Due date

22 September 2021 ensure that the outdoor space is suitable for the ages of the children cared for and complies with the requirements of health and safety guidelines 08/10/2021

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Due date

undertake professional development opportunities to keep knowledge and skills up to date so that practice continually improves 29/10/2021

p.4

Due date

ensure that activities planned for children are challenging and take account of their individual needs, interests and stages of development. 29/10/2021

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should:

n strengthen communication with younger children and provide more opportunities for them to expand their vocabulary.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY384273 Local authority Northumberland Inspection number 10065218 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 10 Date of previous inspection 15 July 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2008 and lives in Cramlington, Northumberland. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant childcare qualification at level 3. She is registered to provide 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 (coronavirus) 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 children playing, inside and outside, and evaluated the impact on their learning. n The childminder showed the inspector around the parts of her home used for childminding and explained how she sets up her play environment. n Parents provided written feedback for the purpose of the inspection. n The childminder showed the inspector a range of documentation, including evidence of her suitability. n The inspector spoke to the childminder at appropriate times during the inspection.

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Inspection activities

22 September 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

22 September 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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