Childminder in Middlesbrough

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is outstanding

Children flourish in the childminder's care. They settle extremely well due to the robust and well-established settling-in process. The childminder gets to know children and their families very well. Children benefit from the positive and secure attachments with the childminder, which are developed from the start. The childminder kept in touch with families throughout the summer and the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. This enabled children to maintain a close, positive relationship with the childminder and her assistants at a challenging time.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder has an excellent understanding of how children learn and what children need to enable them to progress. The childminder has a clear passion for supporting children's early language and communication skills. For example, she seizes the moment to introduce new vocabulary, such as squash and squeeze, while children eagerly explore the scented play dough. She also swiftly extends children's play experiences by skilfully adding new objects and excitedly joining their play. This encourages children to remain focused at an activity and promotes their concentration. Very young children enjoy cosy cuddles as they look at the pictures in their favourite book.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder and her assistants have extremely high expectations for children's behaviour. Positive and age-appropriate strategies help to manage behaviour and maintain clear boundaries. Children respond exceptionally well. They learn to share, take turns and be kind to one another. Younger children are consistently reminded to say please and thank you. Children are motivated and eager to learn. They confidently choose what they would like to play with as they move freely around the environment. Children use their imagination and make links to experiences from home, such as talking about their pets and exploring their family background.

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need to do better?

n Children's health and well-being are given high priority. The childminder has a passion to provide children with nutritional varied home-cooked meals and snacks. She makes sure they have at least five portions of fruit or vegetables each day. Children also learn to stay hydrated to support their health and their learning. The childminder places a sharp focus on supporting children's oral health. n Children's care routines are managed sensitively. During nappy changing, the childminder skilfully distracts younger children by blowing bubbles, which they excitedly reach up and try to catch. The childminder is calm, attentive and shows genuine care to children's needs. This supports children's emotional well- being and self-esteem. The childminder consistently teaches good hygiene

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need to do better?

24 September 2021 routines, such as washing hands before meals. n The childminder creates highly effective partnerships with parents right from the start. Parents are full of praise for the childminder and her assistants. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the childminder continued to maintain and build those relationships to support children's learning. For example, the childminder used her story baskets to engage children in stories and she set a challenge of creating a boat which floats. This helps to build on new skills and learning outside of the setting. Effective partnerships with other agencies, including the local primary school, support children's transition and prepare them for their next stage in learning. n The childminder inspires children to develop a love for reading from a young age. She shares a rich variety of stories, poems and rhymes daily with children. Children squeal with delight as the childminder starts to sing 'Five current buns

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need to do better?

in a baker's shop'. Children independently access interesting story props and other resources to enhance their play. n Children develop an interest in early mathematics from a young age. The childminder expertly includes the use of numbers in everyday conversation and play. For example, children confidently copy the childminder as she counts. They excitedly count as they put shells into containers, share fruit at snack time and sing their favourite songs. n The childminder provides a wide range of opportunities for children to meet new people. They talk about similarities and differences in the world and each other. Children frequently visit the local church and library. They also have ample opportunities to develop their physical skills, as they explore local parks. Children practise new and unfamiliar words to talk about the leaves, sticks and conkers that they have collected on their walks. n Targeted training and development opportunities positively influence the quality

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need to do better?

of adults' practice. Consequently, children, particularly those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, consistently make good progress across the seven areas of learning. n The childminder meticulously reviews her provision to improve the care provided. She seeks, values and heeds the views of parents, children and her assistants.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistants have a thorough understanding of safeguarding and how to keep children safe. They undertake regular and targeted safeguarding training. As a result, policies and procedures are robust and firmly embedded. Children are supervised effectively and are reminded of how to keep themselves safe. For example, children know that toys left on the floor could cause an accident and happily help to tidy them away when not in use. The childminder thoroughly checks the premises each day to ensure children are cared for in a safe environment.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY562284 Local authority Middlesbrough Inspection number 10191051 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 4 Number of children on roll 13 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder was registered in 2018 and lives in the Nunthorpe area of Middlesbrough. She operates each weekday between the hours of 7.30am and 5.30pm, all year round, with the exception of public holidays and family holidays. The childminder and her assistants have appropriate childcare qualifications at levels 2 and 3.

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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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The childminder showed the inspector the areas of the home that children access. She explained how she has planned her environment to support children's interests and independence. She talked about the experiences she provides for children of different ages. n The inspector observed the childminder interacting with children. She jointly evaluated a planned activity with the childminder. n The inspector spoke to the childminder and children at appropriate times. She viewed written references from parents to obtain their views. n The inspector viewed relevant documentation. This included evidence of the suitability of those living on the premises and the safeguarding policy.

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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

24 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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