Childminder in Darlington

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

Children show that they feel safe and happy with the childminder. She provides a caring, nurturing and home-from-home environment for children. The childminder promotes children's emotional well-being. For example, babies look to the childminder for support in new social situations. The childminder gently reassures them and they eventually move off to explore. Older children's behaviour is very positive. They benefit from clear, consistent boundaries and demonstrate good levels of self-confidence and independence. The childminder is working on ways to build on children's understanding of why it is important to live a healthy lifestyle and practise good hygiene.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder has high expectations for children and knows how to help them build secure foundations for the next stages in learning, such as starting school. For example, she follows their lead during play and intervenes with appropriate challenge to help them think critically and share ideas. Children show very good problem-solving skills and good levels of concentration. For example, they spend extended lengths of time building a robot. Children have excellent small-physical skills as they screw the large nuts and bolts together. They carefully consider the best way to add wheels and provide instructions to the childminder on how she can help. The childminder is currently considering ways to strengthen partnerships with schools to help her gather and share information about children.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder has a thorough understanding of child development and knows how to help children make good progress across every area of learning. She provides a broad, varied and interesting curriculum. This helps her to meet children's individual learning needs and build on their prior learning. For example, babies begin to develop their language skills and make babbling sounds in response to the childminder. Older children have an extensive vocabulary and use sentences to discuss and articulate ideas. n The childminder provides a wide range of activities for children to enjoy and learn. For example, older children enjoy looking for things in the environment and shout 'check' when they can mark off things from their observation cards. The childminder extends this and further develops their basic mathematical skills. Children point out how many cars and dogs they can see as they walk around, recognising the numerals on the sheet.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder has effective partnerships in place with parents and families. She regularly shares information with them and helps them to feel included in children's learning. This helps to promote continuity and parents leave very positive feedback about the childminder. However, the childminder has not yet established partnerships with other settings children attend, such as school

p.2

need to do better?

23 November 2021 nursery, to strengthen continuity in children's learning. n Children develop good social skills and begin to learn about their community. The childminder regularly takes them out of the setting and meets other childminders and children. This helps children to build confidence now restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic are easing. n Children form secure bonds with the childminder. She meets their care needs effectively. For example, the childminder recognises quickly when babies are not following their usual routines. She swiftly acts to provide extra rest and healthy snacks. Children settle quickly. n The childminder supports children to lead a healthy lifestyle. For example, she provides a healthy menu and offers children fresh fruit for snacks. Older children take an active part in their own self-care and use the toilet independently. They wash their hands automatically and follow good hygiene practices. However, the

p.2

need to do better?

childminder does not explain why this is still important or use opportunities consistently to teach children about germs. n The childminder maintains her skills and knowledge to work with children. She accesses a wide range of professional development opportunities. For example, she regularly attends the local authority's childminder briefing sessions and shares good practice with fellow colleagues. This has a positive impact on her teaching and helps children to continue to make good progress.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder understands her responsibilities to keep children safe and protect them from harm. She confidently identifies a range of potential signs of abuse, including those which may indicate exploitation and physical abuse. She knows how to inform relevant professional and organisations of serious incidents and allegations. The childminder helps children to learn how to keep themselves safe and look out for risks in the environment. For example, young children show a good awareness of how to cross the road and tell the childminder to 'look both ways before you cross'. The childminder regularly shares safety procedures with parents in relation to the pandemic. This helps to minimise the spread of infection and keep families safe.

p.3

should:

n consider ways to build partnerships with other settings children attend, such as school, to share information and promote continuity for children n help children to build on their understanding of healthy lifestyles, for example, the importance of good hygiene.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2541453 Local authority Darlington Inspection number 10209921 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2019 and lives in Darlington. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 5. She provides funded early education places for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the setting and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n A joint observation was completed by the childminder and inspector, outdoors during planned activity. n The inspector held a discussion with 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 The childminder obtained written feedback from parents for the inspection.

p.4

Inspection activities

23 November 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 November 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