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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children form close relationships with the childminder. Her warm and reassuring approach helps them to feel safe and secure in her care. They play happily and are confident learners. The childminder is aware that some children are shy of unfamiliar people, following the COVID-19 pandemic. They are now returning to going on frequent visits in the local area, for example, to the fire station and group activities. Children are beginning to feel more comfortable in larger groups of people and are learning more about their community.

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The provision is good

Plans for children's learning are ambitious and closely linked to their interests and abilities. Children are motivated to learn and become very involved in play opportunities. They access a wide range of activities, igniting their curiosity. For example, they observe the changes in the plants that they help to grow. Children enjoy painting with water in the garden and use their imagination to decide what their pictures could be. They show very good mathematical knowledge of numbers, shape and size for their age. For example, two-year-old children accurately count five bricks during a matching game.

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The provision is good

The childminder supports children's developing social skills very well. Children develop friendships with one another and invite others to join in their play.

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need to do better?

n The childminder's secure knowledge of child development helps her to assess children's learning accurately. She is quick to identify any aspects of learning where children may need extra support. Her focused teaching helps children to develop new skills quickly and to catch up in their learning. n Activities are appealing and suitable for the ages of the children attending. This contributes to how well children engage in their learning. They concentrate and keep trying, showing a very positive attitude towards their activities. n Children express themselves fluently during play. They chat together and tell the childminder what they are learning. They enjoy sharing stories with the childminder and show they have favourite books. However, occasionally, the childminder does not make the best use of opportunities that arise for children to join in with familiar parts of songs and stories. n The childminder supports children to develop friendships. They respond well,

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need to do better?

working together to solve simple problems. For example, children help one another to find the correct block to match a shape on a card. They play together harmoniously. n The childminder is sensitive to the natural frustrations that young children have and supports them extremely well to manage their feelings. However, the childminder does not always make her expectations of children completely clear.

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need to do better?

23 June 2022 For example, they say 'no' when she asks them to complete tasks, such as cleaning their face. She does not instruct them clearly about what she wants them to do. That said, children's behaviour is very good. n Children learn about how to keep themselves safe and healthy. They know that they must wear a hat and drink plenty of water when the weather is hot. The childminder meets their health needs well. There are very good arrangements in place to manage children's allergies. n The childminder seeks feedback from parents and children to help her to identify aspects of her practice that she can develop further. She takes account of young children's preferences during play. For example, having noted that children showed an interest in fixing things, she created a pretend repair shop in her garden. n Children get plenty of exercise that promotes their good physical development. They dance energetically along to songs while pretending to be a frog. They

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need to do better?

plays sports, climb and ride wheeled toys in the garden. n Parents highly commend the childminder. They appreciate her good communication, which includes lots of photos that capture children's engagement and fun. They talk about how her home is a second home for their children. n The childminder is committed to building on her knowledge and experience to help to enhance her practice. For example, she carries out independent research and attends regular training courses. Good arrangements for the supervision of staff help to ensure that the childminder's assistant also enhances her skills.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder prioritises children's safety while in her care. She completes comprehensive risk assessments to ensure that there are no hazards in her home and to keep children safe on outings. Secure boundary fences and a camera doorbell help to ensure that no unauthorised people can access spaces where children play. The childminder has a secure knowledge of how to identify and respond to child abuse. She ensures that she has up-to-date information about safeguarding. She understands a wide range of factors that can have an impact on a child's well-being. For example, she is alert to children at risk from extreme views and behaviours in society.

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should:

n give children clear information and instructions consistently about what is expected of them, to help to support their good behaviour even more effectively n support children's very good communication skills even further, such as by

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should:

23 June 2022 providing even more opportunities for them to join in with songs and stories.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2577509 Local authority Darlington Inspection number 10225969 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 3 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2020 and lives in Darlington, County Durham. 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 4. She provides funded early years education for two-, three- and four-year- old children. The childminder has an assistant who works with her occasionally.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting has received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with leaders and staff and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the setting. n The childminder showed the inspector around the areas of her home used for childcare and talked about her curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The childminder talked to the inspector about leadership and management matters. The inspector looked at relevant documents provided, including evidence of the suitability checks carried out on people living at the address. n The inspector observed an activity and reviewed it with the childminder. n The inspector spoke to children at appropriate times during the inspection. She took account of parents' views from written feedback provided.

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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

23 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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