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 Good

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The provision is good

Children are very happy and content in the care of the childminder. They have built close relationships with her. Children go to her for comfort when needed and she provides cuddles in abundance. This supports their emotional well-being. Children behave well. They play cooperatively and learn that sometimes they may have to share or take turns. Children demonstrate a can-do attitude to learning. They choose the fruit they want for their snack and confidently use the knife to chop their banana. They take part in interesting activities to promote their knowledge of good oral hygiene.

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The provision is good

The childminder is intuitive to each child. She follows their interests and lead to build on their knowledge. Consequently, older children are able to talk about what they know and recall prior learning to show what they have remembered. They excitedly talk about story the childminder read to them and how Red Riding Hood had to run away from the wolf. Children have lots of fun and delight in sensory experiences. For example, older children concentrate for long periods as they mix the ingredients to make play dough, while younger children use spoons to carefully scoop flour from the bowl to the cup. All children show good control and perseverance to complete their task.

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need to do better?

n The childminder knows every child very well and plans for what she intends children to learn every day. She uses her assessments and follows children's interests to build on their prior experiences. This means that children make as much progress as they can and acquire the necessary skills to help prepare them for the next stage of their learning. n The childminder places a high priority on promoting children's communication and language skills during her interactions. Children make good progress in this area. The childminder provides a language-rich environment by giving children a narrative as they play, and by reading stories and singing songs. Children babble and try to copy her as she speaks. The childminder introduces lots of new vocabulary, such as 'silky' and 'gloopy'. She poses questions and gives children sufficient time to think and respond. n The childminder is keen to broaden children's life experiences. Children benefit

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need to do better?

greatly from the opportunities to learn outdoors. The childminder teaches them to keep themselves safe and to learn about the world around them. Children develop their imagination in the outdoors as they go on 'bear hunts' in the woods. They learn about the wildlife as they look for insects, identify birds they see and learn to build nests. n The childminder promotes children's mathematical skills. She skilfully weaves this through their play and is pitched perfectly for the age and stage of each

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need to do better?

6 July 2022 child. The childminder promotes colour recognition and matching, and number learning, including more complex concepts such as half and quarter. Therefore, all children make good progress in this area of learning. n The childminder responds to children's individual need for sleep and mealtimes to make sure every child is fully alert and ready for learning. This helps children to get the most out of the day. The childminder also regularly takes children to a local group, which helps to build their confidence in new situations and develop their social skills further. n Older children are very well prepared for the next stage in their education. They develop good self-help skills as they are encouraged to manage simple tasks for themselves. For example, they learn to use the toilet and wash their hands with minimal support. Children develop independence and are keen to do things for themselves. For example, as they mix the ingredients to make play dough, they

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need to do better?

say, 'I can do this on my own'. n The childminder is able to reflect on her practice so that she can improve outcomes for children. For example, she has enhanced the outdoor environment so that children can play and explore safely, and with more freedom. n The childminder shares information with parents every day about children's achievements and about how care needs have been met. However, she has not considered ways that will help her collate parents' views about the service she provides.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a good knowledge of signs and symptoms of abuse. She understands her role and responsibility to ensure children are kept safe and knows who to contact should she be concerned about a child. The childminder has ensured she keeps up to date with any safeguarding concerns through regular training. The childminder's home is safe and secure. She completes risk assessments to ensure any hazards are identified and minimised in order to keep children safe.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY340279 Local authority Northumberland Inspection number 10225926 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 7 Date of previous inspection 7 September 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2006 and lives in Rochester, Northumberland. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6.30pm, Tuesday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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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 with the discussed with the childminder how the curriculum is delivered. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. She spoke with the childminder and children during the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the childminder. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household.

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Inspection activities

6 July 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

6 July 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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