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

Children are very happy and settled in this setting. The childminder is warm and caring. Children have lovely relationships with her. They are engaged in their learning. Children learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, they know the importance of wearing cream and a hat to protect themselves in the sun. Children behave very well. They listen to the childminder and use good manners.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder plans a stimulating environment and provides resources that interest and motivate children. Children are confident. They happily bring toys to the inspector to show her, and chat with her. Children enjoy dressing up and dancing to music. They learn about technology when they press buttons on toys to play music. When children play, the childminder supports them well and gives them her full attention.

p.2

The provision is good

Children have many opportunities to learn about the world around them. They visit the local countryside and feed the ducks. Children plant flowers in the garden and help to look after the childminder's pet snails. They learn about the life cycles of butterflies and frogs. Children go on visits in their local community. They visit playgroups to help to enhance their confidence in larger groups. Children enjoy challenging activities to develop their physical skills. The climb up the slide, propel ride-on cars and regularly visit the park to play on large equipment.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder knows what she wants children to learn. She aims for all children to be well prepared for nursery and school. The childminder uses her observations to plan interesting activities which take account of what children need to learn next. n Children learn the importance of following healthy lifestyles. They play outdoors in the fresh air each day. The childminder provides healthy snacks. She works with parents to make sure that children have nutritious and balanced packed lunches. Children practise brushing pretend teeth and learn about oral hygiene. n The childminder shares information with parents about their children's learning. She talks to parents each day and provides them with photos of their children playing. Parents are very complimentary about the childminder. They say that she 'goes above and beyond' and that their children make excellent progress. n The childminder listens to children and values what they say. Children engage

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need to do better?

well in conversations. For example, they talk about their holidays and going on aeroplanes. The childminder extends children's vocabulary when they play. She introduces new words, such as 'fast' and 'slow'. n The childminder encourages children to investigate, explore and have their own ideas. Children thoroughly enjoy exploring and investigating mud, water, pine

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need to do better?

16 June 2022 cones and flowers in a pretend kitchen outdoors. They mix, pour and scoop the materials and explore different consistencies. Children concentrate and show satisfaction, proudly saying , 'I did it.' n Children have many opportunities to develop their small-muscle skills in preparation for early writing. For instance, they thread cereal onto pipe cleaners and push pipe cleaners through the holes in a colander. Children make marks with chunky chalks outdoors and use tweezers to pick up pretend insects. n The childminder helps children to develop their self-care skills. Children are very independent. They chop up their bananas at snack time, put their shoes on to go outdoors and wash their hands themselves. n The childminder helps children to develop their mathematical skills when they play. Children learn to count, name and recognise shapes, and talk about length and measurements. They explore speed and velocity when they push toy cars

p.2

need to do better?

down ramps. n The childminder offers an inclusive setting and welcomes all children. She has attended training to help her to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. However, the childminder does not consistently liaise with other professionals, such as health visitors, who are involved in children's care, to help close any gaps in children's development more quickly. n The childminder works well with the local nursery where children also attend. She shares information and finds out what children are learning at nursery, to complement their learning. n The childminder attends all statutory training, such as first aid and safeguarding. She makes sure that she keeps her knowledge up to date. However, the childminder does not focus her professional development on extending the quality of education to a higher level.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder understands the signs which might indicate that a child is suffering from harm. She knows how to report any concerns she may have about a child's welfare. The childminder attends training to find out about the different types of abuse. She teaches children how to keep themselves safe. For instance, children learn about road safety and how to cross the road carefully.

p.3

should:

n liaise more closely with other professionals involved with children, to help close any gaps in children's development more quickly n focus professional development on extending the quality of education to an even higher level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY478764 Local authority Darlington Inspection number 10213171 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

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 12 Date of previous inspection 15 August 2016

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2014 and lives in Darlington. She operates all year round from 7am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for family holidays and bank holidays. The childminder holds an early years qualification at level 3. She provides early funded 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 her evaluation of the setting. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. 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 a planned activity with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n Parents shared their views with the inspector through written comments.

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Inspection activities

16 June 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

16 June 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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