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 Good

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The provision is good

The childminder provides children with a safe and nurturing environment. Children are very settled and show good levels of confidence. They arrive happy and are keen to go to the childminder, waving to parents as they leave. The childminder gathers detailed information about children's individual routines. She knows how to meet children's care needs effectively. The childminder has high expectations for children and helps them to develop secure foundations for future learning. For example, children have excellent communication and language skills. They develop good levels of independence and are enthusiastic to join in with activities. Older children have very good levels of concentration and develop the skills they need to start school.

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The provision is good

Children's behaviour is very positive and they benefit from specific praise from the childminder. For example, older children say 'please' and 'thank you' to each other during play. The childminder has developed good partnerships with parents. During the COVID-19 pandemic, parents have stopped coming inside the childminder's home. The childminder maintains effective communication using a range of ways, including an app for parents' mobile phones. This helps her to share information about children's care and promotes continuity.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is proactive in developing her skills to work with children. She completes regular training courses and reflects on the impact for children. For example, the childminder recently worked on ways she can help children to develop their language skills. This has had a positive impact on children's progress. n Children benefit from a clear, sequenced curriculum. The childminder knows each child's learning goals and provides effective levels of challenge during planned activities. For example, older children think about letter sounds and retell the caterpillar story using some phrases they remember. However, during older children's self-chosen play, teaching is less focused and the childminder misses chances to extend learning. n A significant strength of the curriculum is the development of children's communication skills. The childminder carefully observes changes in children's pronunciation and sensitively models clear words back to them. Young children

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need to do better?

repeat new words from stories and point out pictures. Older children use their extensive vocabulary to share ideas and thoughts. n The childminder teaches children about their own personal safety. Children use the toilet independently and wash their hands. They know to ask for privacy when they use the toilet, and the childminder supports if she is needed. The childminder is reflecting on ways in which she can share information about

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need to do better?

22 March 2022 children's safety with their parents, such as topics on online safety. n Partnerships with parents and other professionals are effective. For instance, the childminder invites school teachers to her setting to meet children before they move on to school. This has a positive impact on children's emotional well-being. Parents say they are very happy with the care their children receive. They receive regular updates and feel included in children's learning. n Children are kind to each other and very polite. They have good social skills and are keen to interact with others. The childminder uses regular praise to help children understand what they have done well. Children have high levels of self- esteem and celebrate their achievements. They show resilience and keep trying to complete challenging jigsaw puzzles. n The childminder promotes children's good health and independence. For example, she provides fresh fruit for snack and encourages children to peel their

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need to do better?

own banana. Children walk to school each day and visit the local park and community. The childminder has an allotment which children enjoy using to grow their own fruit and vegetables. n The childminder helps children develop good mathematical skills from an early age. For example, she uses numbers for counting in children's play and models language such as 'big' and 'small' to increase their awareness of sizes. Older children are proud of their skills and say number names in sequence past 20.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a thorough understanding of her responsibilities to keep children safe from harm. She has an excellent awareness of safeguarding issues, including county lines and 'cuckooing'. The childminder regularly updates her knowledge of the local safeguarding partnership and its guidance for keeping children safe. She is aware of the procedures to follow if an allegation is made against herself or a family member. The childminder completes risk assessments for areas used by children and for collecting children from school. This helps her identify and minimise any hazards. Children develop an awareness of their own safety. The childminder talks to them in an age-appropriate way about personal privacy and respect.

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should:

n focus teaching during older children's play to extend their learning even further n consider ways to share information about children's safety with parents to enhance this aspect further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY480207 Local authority Darlington Inspection number 10218259 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 6 Number of children on roll 10 Date of previous inspection 8 September 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2014 and lives in the Denes area of Darlington. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder offers funded early education places for two-, three- and four-year-old children. She provides wraparound care for children who attend local schools.

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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 setting. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching 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 the inspector, indoors during a planned activity. n The inspector held a discussion with the childminder in relation to the leadership and management of the setting. She looked at relevant documentation, including evidence of qualifications and the childminder's suitability to work with children. n The childminder obtained written parental feedback for the inspection, which the inspector took into account. The inspector also spoke to a parent on the day.

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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

22 March 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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