Childminder, Out-of school day care in Durham

This provision meets requirements

Children are happy, settled and secure in this warm and friendly setting. The childminder and children have formed strong bonds and clearly enjoy each other's company. The childminder knows children well. She is kind and respectful. Children's behaviour is good. The childminder supports children well to manage their feelings and emotions. She has familiar routines in place and helps children to feel emotionally safe and secure. The childminder places an emphasis on children learning to share, take turns and play cooperatively together. For example, children are enthusiastic and excited as they take turns to draw clues as part of a picture game. They play happily together with jigsaw puzzles and take turns to pick cards as part of a memory game.

p.2

This provision meets requirements

Children benefit from fresh air and exercise on a daily basis. The childminder picks children up from the local school and they walk to her home together. Often, the childminder takes the children to play at the local park on the way. Here they enjoy opportunities to develop their coordination and fitness as they stretch, balance and climb on outdoor equipment. As a result of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, parents no longer come into the setting when they drop children off. However, children settle quickly and communication with parents is good.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children are engaged in their play and eager to join in the activities on offer. They are confident to choose what they would like to play with next. The childminder praises children's efforts and achievements. This helps to raise children's confidence and self-esteem. Children are encouraged to try and work things out for themselves, such as when they match cards together in pairs. When children are not successful, the childminder encourages them to have another try. n The childminder clearly explains the rules of the games that the children are playing. Children follow her instructions well and make sure that they play fairly. For example, children decide to play a game of 'rock, paper, scissors' to see who goes first. They clap and cheer the winner. The childminder encourages children to be kind and help each other. Children use manners and praise each other's ideas. The relationships between the childminder and children are respectful.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder encourages children to talk about their ideas and express themselves through singing and dance. Children learn the importance of caring for pets, such as when they help to feed the childminder's pet guinea pigs. This helps their personal and social development. The childminder develops children's growing independence well. Children are encouraged to take off their own shoes and coats, and put them away. Children tidy up when they are finished playing.

p.2

need to do better?

6 October 2021 Older children are encouraged to help younger children in their tasks. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities well. n Children sit together to eat at mealtimes. The childminder provides them with a range of hot dinners. She offers children healthy meals, which are based on children's likes and dislikes. Children choose from a range of fruit and healthy drinks at snack time. n Overall, the childminder has a robust understanding of how children play and develop and she attends training to keep herself up to date. There is scope, however, for her to strengthen her knowledge still further. The childminder intends to attend focused training in the future to help develop and continuously enhance her practice. n The childminder keeps herself up to date with children's interests and asks them about the work they do at school. This helps her to plan activities which children

p.2

need to do better?

find relevant and interesting. The childminder reflects on the views of parents and experiences of children, in order to continually improve her practice. She has strong relationships with parents, who are pleased with the service she provides. n The childminder keeps her home safe and secure. She checks smoke alarms and fire equipment on a regular basis. The childminder is trained in first aid and knows what to do in the event of an accident. She has robust hygiene routines in place. The childminder cleans the table before dinner and children are encouraged to wash their hands before eating.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder knows how to identify any safeguarding concerns and the procedures she must take to keep children safe. The childminder's home is clean and comfortable. Children enjoy a safe and secure environment in which to play. The childminder checks the areas children access regularly to keep them free from hazards. She teaches children how to keep themselves safe. For example, she teaches them the importance of cooling their hot food before they eat. The childminder attends safeguarding training and keeps herself up to date with any changes. She has robust policies and procedures in place to help support safe practices.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY556656 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10190126 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 7 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2018 and lives in Fencehouses, Houghton le Spring, Durham. She operates before and after school only, Monday to Friday, and in school holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3.

p.4

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 their 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 looked at a sample of the childminder's documents, including evidence about training and suitability of those living on the premises. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder at appropriate times during the inspection. She spoke to parents and took into account their views.

p.4

Inspection activities

6 October 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

6 October 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