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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

The childminder provides a caring and welcoming environment. Young children settle quickly and develop secure attachments. This helps them to feel safe and secure. The childminder knows children well. She takes time to find out what they know and can do when they start. The childminder places a strong focus on allowing children to lead their own play and learning. Children persevere and are determined to succeed with tasks that they find difficult at first. For example, young children develop their small-muscle skills by learning to fit puzzles together. The childminder praises children at every opportunity. This helps to motivate them to learn.

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The provision is good

The childminder reads stories to children in lively tones. She teaches them the meaning of new words and encourages them to respond to the story. The childminder is a good role model. She treats children with kindness and patience and has high expectations. Children are well behaved. They respond positively to the childminder's calm and patient approach. Children confidently make their wishes known. The childminder listens and responds sensitively to both their verbal and non-verbal communication. Children of all ages play well together. The childminder remained open throughout some of the COVID-19 pandemic. She has agreed several changes with parents to help keep children safe.

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need to do better?

n The childminder encourages children to share their ideas and thoughts. She asks a range of open-ended questions. The childminder gives children enough time to answer and respects what they say. This helps children to feel valued and build on their growing confidence and self-esteem. n Children's play is highly imaginative. The childminder introduces new words, such as 'wrench', as the children explore a range of pretend tools. Children use the tools as they lie on the floor and pretend to fix the furniture. n The childminder continually talks to children to support their communication and language skills. For instance, children ask the childminder if she would like a cup of tea, and they enjoy pretending to pour tea and add milk. The childminder describes what they are doing and asks questions. This helps to increase children's vocabulary. n Children make good progress in their communication and language skills. Older

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need to do better?

children develop good listening and attention skills. They concentrate well during activities that interest them. Babies develop good early speaking skills, such as babbling. The childminder responds warmly to them. n Children have opportunities to develop their early literacy skills. The childminder provides a wide variety of books for children to choose from. They learn to handle books with care and enjoy listening to stories. Children listen intently as

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need to do better?

20 January 2022 the childminder reads their favourite story. n Children play happily in the childminder's garden. They learn how to use utensils in the 'mud kitchen'. Children learn about the world around them. They enjoy growing their own fruit and vegetables in the vegetable patch. Children help to care for the childminder's pet rabbits. n The childminder has a secure understanding of child development. She regularly reflects on her practice and identifies areas to develop further. This has a positive impact on children. For example, the childminder uses her knowledge of schemas to help her to identify children's preferred learning styles. The childminder understands how to support children who speak English as an additional language. n The childminder regularly engages with parents and frequently discusses children's progress with them. Parents comment positively on the range of activities on offer. They appreciate the good level of communication that they

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need to do better?

receive from the childminder. Parents say that they are confident that their children are well cared for. n Children have some opportunities to develop their independence. For instance, they learn to put away toys and to wash their own hands before eating. However, occasionally, the childminder does not plan opportunities to extend children's independence skills further, for example during routine times of the day, such as snack times. n The childminder knows what she does well and recognises her areas for development. She has attended mandatory training and carried out various research. The childminder has identified that she would like to extend her professional development, to help to enhance the quality of children's learning experiences even further.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder prioritises children's safety. She is aware of the signs of abuse and neglect. The childminder knows the local referral procedures to follow if she has a concern. She makes sure that her home is kept safe. The childminder carries out regular risk assessments on all areas of her home, including the garden, to help ensure children's safety. She makes sure that the premises are secure so that children cannot leave unsupervised and unwanted visitors cannot gain entry. The childminder maintains an appropriate paediatric first-aid certificate.

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should:

n challenge children's independence even further, for example during everyday opportunities, including daily routines

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should:

20 January 2022 n focus professional development to help raise the quality of teaching, and support children's learning and development to an even higher level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2552627 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10214321 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 5 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2019 and lives in Barnard Castle, County Durham. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3.

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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 her evaluation of the setting. n The childminder and the inspector had a learning walk together. They discussed the learning environment and how the curriculum is organised. n The inspector observed activities and the childminder's interactions with children throughout the inspection. n The inspector spoke to the children and the childminder at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n Parents' views were taken account of by the inspector. n Various documents were sampled by the inspector, including paediatric first-aid qualifications and public liability insurance.

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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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