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

Children enjoy spending their time with the caring, attentive childminder. They develop close bonds with her and enjoy having cuddles on her knee. The childminder is calm and patient, and she responds well to children's individual needs. She quickly recognises when children are becoming restless and provides them with reassurance. This helps to support children's emotional development.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy sharing stories with the childminder. Young children learn to handle books carefully. Children are active throughout the day. They energetically play in the childminder's spacious garden. Young children learn to climb steps to access the slide. Older children excitedly propel themselves on swings. Children dig in the soil with a variety of toy tractors and relish mixing sand and water. This helps to develop their physical skills.

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The provision is good

Children explore the setting with confidence and curiosity. The environment is well organised so that children can make independent choices about their play. Older children investigate bolts and locks. They open and close catches with the support of the childminder. This helps to develop their small-muscle skills and critical- thinking skills. The childminder has high expectations for children's behaviour. She is a good role model. The childminder encourages children to use good manners. Toddlers say 'please' and 'thank you' to the childminder and each other.

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need to do better?

n The childminder supports children to develop their vocabulary. She repeats words back to young children and introduces new vocabulary. For instance, she talks about the different types of vehicles that work on a farm. Children learn words such as 'rotavator' and 'excavator'. Furthermore, the childminder narrates as she plays alongside children. This helps to develop children's communication skills. n The childminder works closely with parents. She regularly shares information about children's learning and offers parents ideas and suggestions on how to support children's development at home. Parents comment that the childminder provides a warm home-from-home environment. n Children have regular opportunities for physical play. They enjoy playing in the outdoor area, where they use ride-on toys, run and climb. Children enjoy filling buckets with water and splashing in the water tray. The childminder provides

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need to do better?

children with healthy meals and snacks. This helps children to develop an understanding of healthy lifestyles. n Children behave well. The childminder encourages children to be patient, take turns and show care and consideration for others. Older children cuddle younger children when they become upset. Children receive lots of praise and

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need to do better?

19 May 2022 encouragement from the childminder, which helps to develop their confidence and boost their self-esteem. n The childminder knows the children in her care well. She builds on what children already know and can do when planning activities. The childminder understands the importance of sharing learning and development information with other settings. However, she has not yet developed relationships with other early years settings that children attend. This means that continuity of children's care, learning and development is not fully supported. n The childminder has a good understanding of how children learn. She plans a curriculum which is exciting and interesting. The childminder uses observations to assess what children can do. She focuses her planning on what children need to learn next. For example, she encourages young babies to walk around furniture and then to take independent steps. This helps children to make good

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need to do better?

progress. n The childminder takes the children on a variety of outings in the local area. They go for walks in the village and visit the local forest. This helps children to develop a good understanding of the local community. However, the childminder does not provide children with opportunities to learn about people from different cultures or backgrounds. n Children develop a love of books. The childminder regularly shares their favourite stories. Children make marks in a range of ways, such as with chalks, in sand and with pens. This helps to develop their literacy skills. n The childminder regularly reflects on her provision. She seeks new training to make positive changes to her practice. For example, she has recently attended a course on mark making in the early years. This helps to raise the quality of her practice.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a good knowledge of the signs that might indicate a child is at risk of harm or neglect. She knows the procedures to follow should she have any concerns about a child in her care. The childminder regularly attends safeguarding training to keep herself up to date with changes in legislation and policy. The childminder is aware of the signs that may indicate a child is at risk of radicalisation, female genital mutilation and county lines. The childminder understands the procedure to follow should there be an allegation against herself or a family member. All areas of the home and garden are risk assessed. This helps to keep children safe.

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should:

19 May 2022 n develop partnerships with other settings that children attend, to fully support children's continuity of learning and development n strengthen the curriculum further so that children have more opportunities to learn about different people and communities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY491525 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10229749 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 5 Date of previous inspection 15 February 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Mickleton, Barnard Castle. She operates all year round from 8am 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 their evaluation of the setting. n The childminder and the inspector had a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n Parents shared their views through written feedback.

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Inspection activities

19 May 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

19 May 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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