Childminder in Northumberland

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children have lots of opportunities for fresh air and exercise at this friendly and welcoming setting. They plant sunflower seeds in pots to take home and watch them grow. The childminder shares pictures of sunflowers from a book with children. They discuss the sunshine, water and soil the plants will need to help them grow. Children benefit from a wide range of interesting and challenging activities and experiences. They take part in nature walks, where they collect sticks and leaves to take back to the setting. They watch plums and apples grow on trees in the large garden and discuss how they change over time. Children experience the wider world outside the setting through trips to playgroups and a local park.

p.2

The provision is good

Children have formed close bonds with the childminder. She praises and encourages them. This helps to raise their confidence and self-esteem. Children are happy, settled and secure. The childminder provides strong support for them to manage their feelings and behaviour. Children play well together as they draw pictures and play with jigsaws. Children are becoming increasingly independent. They wash their own hands before snack time and fetch their own drinks. Children are encouraged to tidy away their toys and choose what they would like to play with next.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder knows the children very well. She understands where they are in their development and knows the support they need to help them progress. The childminder encourages children's learning as she models new skills and provides clear instructions. n Relationships between the childminder and children are lovely. They have fun together and clearly enjoy each other's company. Children settle easily at the setting. Secure daily routines and reminders of what is happening next help children to feel emotionally secure. The childminder encourages children to be kind and to help each other. n Children are encouraged to express themselves. They are confident to give their own views and opinions. Children benefit from opportunities to develop their imagination through dressing up and playing with small-world toys. They explore with paints and glue. n There is good support for children's developing communication and language

p.2

need to do better?

skills. Children enjoy lovely conversations with the childminder. They talk about the trees in the garden and the childminder's pet fish, which they help to feed. The childminder repeats back to children what they have said, to show they are understood. Children enjoy taking part in singing and action rhymes. The childminder shares stories with the children and introduces them to new words. n The childminder plans strong support for children's physical development.

p.2

need to do better?

28 June 2022 Children stretch, climb and balance in the park. They develop their coordination as they play with balls and hoops in the garden. Children have fun as they throw the hoops and try to jump through them. They develop their strength and smaller muscles as they explore with soil, dig in the garden and make marks with pencils and pens. n There is good support for mathematics, woven through everyday activities. The childminder and children compare the sizes of their hands to see which is bigger and smaller. They count the seeds they plant together and discuss the colour of their drinking cups. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents speak highly of the childminder and the service she provides. They praise the support she provides to them in relation to their children's milestones, such as potty training. Parents say the childminder is warm and kind, and systems for communication at the setting are

p.2

need to do better?

good. n The childminder has begun to build relationships with the local school children also attend. However, there is scope for links to be developed further to provide a more consistent approach to children's learning. n The childminder keeps herself up to date through opportunities for continuous professional development. She reflects well on the experiences for children and gathers views from parents verbally. The childminder shares ideas for activities with other childminders. She uses any feedback she receives to continuously improve and develop the service she provides.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities in relation to keeping children safe. She has attended training in first aid, food hygiene and wider aspects of safeguarding. The childminder knows what might concern her about a child in terms of safeguarding. She knows who to contact and the processes to take to help keep children safe. The childminder has a good general awareness of how to teach children to keep themselves safe. For example, she shows children how to sharpen pencils safely. She teaches them about road safety as they walk to and from the local school.

p.3

should:

n strengthen relationships with schools and other settings where children attend, to help provide a consistent approach and support for their learning and development.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2556735 Local authority Northumberland Inspection number 10226029 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2019 and lives in New Hartley, Northumberland. She is open Monday to Friday, from 8am to 5pm, all year round, except for family holidays and bank holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The childminder showed the inspector around the areas of her home that children access. They discussed how the childminder organises her setting and plans the curriculum and experiences for children. n The inspector looked at a sample of the childminder's documents. This included evidence about training and suitability of those living on the premises. n The childminder and inspector reflected on an activity together. The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder at appropriate times during the inspection. She took into account the views of parents.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

28 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6