Strickland, Laura Jane

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 thrive in this exceptionally nurturing and well-resourced environment. They demonstrate confidence and high self-esteem throughout their time in the childminder's home. This is helped by the childminder's close attention to detail. For example, she makes sure that children's favourite resources are readily available when they arrive. This helps children to feel safe and secure and develops their emotional well-being.

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The provision is good

The very youngest children show high levels of problem-solving skills and a determination to succeed. For example, toddlers are unwavering in their attempts to manoeuvre themselves into a basket. They work out how to hold on with two hands before lifting their legs over the edge of the basket. The pride on children's faces when they achieve their goals is clear. Babies relish the space which they have to experiment with movements. They confidently roll over and back again, repeating these movements again and again. Babies respond to the childminder's acknowledgement of their efforts with giggles of delight, excitedly waving their arms and legs.

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The provision is good

The exceptionally strong bond between the childminder and children is evident. For example, babies and toddlers know that when they need a cuddle, the childminder will snuggle them in closely. They settle contentedly before going to sleep.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has high expectations of what children can achieve and wants children to succeed to the best of their abilities. She knows what children can do and plans for their future learning. For example, the childminder organises her environment to ensure that babies have space to learn to crawl. This enhances babies' confidence in extending their range of movements. n The childminder places a high priority on developing children's communication and language skills. She knows to get down to children's level and speak slowly. The childminder extends children's vocabulary as she describes what children are doing as they play. For example, as children explore boxes, the childminder explains their movements as 'pushing and pulling'. n Children's love of books is fostered by the childminder. She sits with babies as they feel the different textures on the pages of books. Toddlers confidently take books to the childminder, knowing that they will be read. This helps to support

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need to do better?

children's emotional well-being and feelings of being valued. n The childminder supports the development of children's finger muscles to further enable their early mark-making skills. For example, she encourages children to pick up and squeeze small pieces of malleable materials. Babies enthusiastically shake musical instruments. This enables babies to further develop control of

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need to do better?

29 September 2022 their movements. n Parents are exceptionally complimentary about the service which the childminder provides. They comment the childminder 'goes above and beyond' in support of their children's learning and development. Parents like the childminder's 'home- from-home' environment and the family atmosphere which she provides. n Children have many opportunities to learn about the local area. The childminder regularly takes children on outings to parks, nearby woodland areas and on nature walks. Children meet different people as they go out and about in the community. For example, children write their shopping lists and purchase their own goods at the nearby supermarket. n The childminder adopts a positive attitude towards making improvements to her setting. She constantly self-evaluates what she offers children and makes any changes that she thinks are necessary. For example, the childminder is changing

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need to do better?

her garden to offer children a wider range of opportunities for their play and learning. The childminder accesses training and works with the local authority to develop ideas to improve practice. n Children behave very well. Toddlers copy the childminder as she says 'please' and 'thank you'. They know to share their toys with babies and happily wait their turn. Children confidently choose their own resources and design their own play. However, the childminder does not consistently encourage children to remain engaged in activities to further develop their concentration and motivation to learn. n Children happily choose the fruit they wish to have for snack and know to sit at the table to eat. However, children's self-care skills are not consistently well supported, as on occasion, the childminder does not encourage children to wash their hands before eating.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a clear understanding of her role in protecting children who may be at risk of harm. She is alert to possible indicators of when a child may need help and knows the relevant agencies to contact for guidance. The childminder accesses child protection training and is aware of the correct procedure to take should there be an allegation made against her. The premises are secure. The childminder carries out daily checks of the indoor and outdoor environments to ensure that they remain safe for children to use.

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should:

n encourage children to remain engaged in activities to further develop their concentration skills and motivation to learn

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should:

29 September 2022 n support children to develop their self-care and hygiene skills even further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY429725 Local authority Darlington Inspection number 10229578 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 22 Date of previous inspection 14 November 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2011 and lives in Darlington. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 5.30pm, 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 childminder. n Children's records were looked at by the inspector along with a range of other documentation. n The inspector took into account written feedback provided by parents. n The inspector observed children as they played and assessed their learning and development.

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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

29 September 2022 29 September 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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