Childminder in Stockton-on-Tees

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 Not applicable

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The provision requires improvement

Children have plenty of fun with the childminder and show happiness throughout their day. The atmosphere is cheerful and children laugh as they play. For example, children push trains around the track and share role-play resources for imaginative play. The childminder provides a safe and nurturing environment and focuses on building upon children's personal, social and emotional skills. This helps them to develop resilience and confidence in their own ability. Some children make good progress in their learning and the childminder identifies where further support is needed. However, although assessments of children's learning are made, there are weaknesses in how the childminder plans and implements her curriculum to support all children to make the best possible progress.

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The provision requires improvement

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the childminder modified her arrangements for parents to drop off their children and for visitors. As restrictions have eased, parents are now welcomed back into the home and new families can use settling-in visits. This has helped to develop relationships with children and maintain effective communication with parents to promote continuity. The childminder has worked hard to support parents, who have felt anxious leaving their children, and provides regular photos and updates to help them feel included and reassured.

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need to do better?

n The childminder knows children well and gathers information from parents to help them settle in quickly. For example, young children arrive very happy and show excitement as they run into the childminder's home to play imaginatively with their favourite characters. The childminder knows when they are hungry or tired and meets their care needs well. This has a positive impact on children's well-being. n The childminder provides activities that are based on children's preferences. They are willing to join in and show enjoyment throughout the day. For example, children thoroughly enjoy using glue and scissors to stick beads and leaves on their hedgehog pictures. Older children show enjoyment in books and talk confidently about their interests in history and the wider world. n The childminder makes appropriate referalls to external agencies, when she recognises gaps in children's learning. However, she does not plan and

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need to do better?

implement her curriculum effectively enough to help children to make good progress in all areas of their learning. For instance, the childminder regularly misses opportunities to clearly model words and vocabulary to children. In addition, during play, there are further times when she does not encourage children to use words when they make choices. n Children's behaviour is good and they benefit from regular praise from the childminder. They are consistently well mannered, kind and helpful towards each

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need to do better?

28 October 2021 other. The childminder provides clear boundaries and has a positive approach to supporting children when they find things difficult. An example of this was observed during the inspection when the childminder effectively used a positive approach to support a child using scissors. n The childminder attends network meetings with the local authority and other childminders. This helps her to share good practice and stay up to date with early years information. For example, she has started to make changes to her practice in relation to the updated early years foundation stage. The childminder is considering ways to reflect on her practice to help her find specific training to meet the needs of individual children. n The childminder has started to teach children about the importance of good oral hygiene and encourages them to eat a range of fresh fruit and vegetables. Children are willing to try new foods, such as cucumber, and have regular drinks

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need to do better?

of water. However, arrangements for eating lunch do not promote children's good health and hygiene. For example, children sit on the floor to eat their lunch and the childminder does not always adhere to the strictest of hygiene practices when pets are present in the home. n The childminder has developed good partnerships with parents and other professionals, such as teachers from local schools and nurseries. She provides information to help them move on to the next stages in their learning. Parents leave positive feedback for the childminder. They are particularly happy with how well their children have developed good social skills and self-esteem.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a thorough knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures. She is knowledgeable about a range of safeguarding concerns, including the impact of domestic violence on children and the potential signs of child exploitation. The childminder has specific risk assessments and procedures to follow to meet children's medical needs, such as for those children who have allergies. This helps her to keep children safe and deal with any emergencies swiftly. The childminder helps children to learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, she teaches them how to use scissors safely and talks about road safety when they collect children from school.

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Due date

28 October 2021 develop and focus teaching skills so that play and planned activities are purposeful and help children to make good progress in all areas of the curriculum 28/04/2022

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Due date

promote children's good health consistently and ensure high standards of hygiene are adhered to at all times, including mealtimes. 28/11/2021

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should:

n reflect on skills and access professional development opportunities to raise the quality of education to a higher level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2532030 Local authority Stockton-on-Tees Inspection number 10208490 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 12 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2019 and lives in Ingleby Barwick, Stockton-on-Tees. She operates all year round from 7am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education places for two-, three- and four-year-old children. She offers wraparound care for children who attend local schools.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 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 inspector observed the quality of education during activities indoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n A joint observation was completed by the childminder and inspector, during a planned activity indoors. n The inspector held a discussion with the childminder in relation to the leadership and management of the setting. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of qualifications and the childminder's suitability to work with children. n Parents provided verbal feedback to the inspector on the day of the inspection.

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Inspection activities

28 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.

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Inspection activities

28 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.

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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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