Childminder in Durham

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

The childminder provides children with a home-from-home environment. Children are happy, safe and settled. They flourish and thrive in the childminder's care. The childminder teaches children about their feelings and how to behave. Young children are very polite. They learn to share, take turns and respect each other.

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The provision is good

Children are imaginative. They pretend to be doctors, telling the childminder that they are making their dolls 'better'. Children enjoy playing in the childminder's garden each day. They persevere and work out how to roll cars down guttering when they play outdoors. Children develop their physical skills as they use ride-on cars and scooters. They successfully negotiate space and learn new words, such as 'fast' and 'slow'. Younger children freely explore sand, stones and water. They carefully transport their mixtures with spades and toy diggers.

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The provision is good

Overall, children benefit from a challenging curriculum that focuses on what they need to learn next. When children did not attend during the COVID-19 pandemic, the childminder made sure that she kept in contact with children and their families. She delivered individual activity packs so that children could continue their learning at home.

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need to do better?

n The childminder observes children to help her to plan interesting and appropriate activities, which help them to learn new skills. However, on occasions, the childminder does not plan activities as effectively as possible. For example, when younger children play with dough, they cannot reach the resources that they need to extend their ideas and learning further. n Overall, the childminder gives children choices and follows their interests when they play. However, in her enthusiasm, the childminder recognises that she moves children on to new activities quickly. This sometimes interrupts children's learning and engagement during self-chosen activities. n The childminder develops children's mathematical knowledge when they play. For instance, she names colours and shapes. Children learn language, such as 'empty' and 'full'. They learn to count and recognise numbers. n Children take part in many activities that help to develop the muscles in their

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need to do better?

hands. They make marks on easels outdoors, cut and roll play dough, and complete jigsaws. The childminder recognises that these skills will help children with later activities, such as writing, when they go to school. n The childminder develops children's literacy skills well. She provides an abundance of good-quality books and regularly reads stories to children. Children enjoy sitting in cosy areas looking at their favourite books. They concentrate intently as they lift the flaps on each page, looking for their

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need to do better?

20 January 2022 favourite characters. n Children learn to be independent. Young children learn to feed themselves and put their coats on. The childminder provides children with daily opportunities to play outside in the fresh air each day. She provides children with healthy and nutritious meals and snacks each day. n The childminder evaluates her practice and seeks the views of parents and children. She makes plans for improvement to benefit children. For example, she has reorganised the learning environment to provide more opportunities for children to explore and investigate. n The childminder monitors and supervises her assistants' work. She makes sure that they attend training, such as first aid and safeguarding, to help to keep children safe. The childminder observes her assistants' practice and provides them with ideas to develop their skills further. n The childminder is committed to extending her professional knowledge. She

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need to do better?

liaises closely with the local authority adviser and attends training to enhance her teaching skills. Following training, the childminder has planned more opportunities for children to develop their literacy skills. n Parents are very positive about the service that the childminder provides. They comment that their children love attending and that the childminder provides the 'best care and support that they could ask for'. The childminder shares regular information with parents about their children's care and learning. n The childminder takes children on many visits in their local community. Children enjoy going to local playgroups, parks, soft-play centres and the local library. These visits help children to meet other children and develop their confidence in larger groups.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding. She makes sure that her home is safe and suitable for children. The childminder can recognise the signs and symptoms that demonstrate a child is suffering from possible harm. She knows how to report any concerns. Children learn to keep themselves safe. For instance, the childminder regularly reminds children to tidy up, in case they trip on toys on the floor.

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should:

n implement group times more effectively so that all children can access the resources they need to extend their ideas and learning n give children more time when they play to follow their interests and remain deeply engaged in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY483607 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10213139 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 18 Number of children on roll 17 Date of previous inspection 4 August 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Newton Aycliffe. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 6 and works with two assistants. She provides 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 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The childminder carried out a joint observation of an activity with the childminder. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

20 January 2022 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

20 January 2022 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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