Childminder in Durham

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 thoroughly enjoy their time at the childminder's. They demonstrate this as they dance to music or dress up as their favourite television or film characters. Younger children enjoy snuggling up with the assistant and looking at books. Parents comment that children are always happy to see the childminder. Babies go into the childminder's arms happily. Children learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, they know they must tidy the environment to prevent tripping on toys. They learn to use tools, such as knives, safely as they butter toast.

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The provision is good

The childminder has high expectations for what children can achieve. She acts quickly when she identifies areas where children require further support. This helps children make good progress. The childminder places a high priority on children developing their independence. Children enjoy activities, such as helping to prepare snack. Children behave well. For example, they listen and follow the childminder's instructions. Older children learn to share their toys with each other and remember to say please and thank you.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has clear plans for professional development. These are based on her evaluations of how she can improve further. For instance, after the pandemic, the childminder identified that she wants to develop children's speech and language even more. She has attended a range of training with her assistant. Together they have reflected on some of the messages from training and have adapted the way they communicate with children. n The childminder has thought carefully about what she wants children to learn. For example, she puts out blocks to help younger children to build and stack. She organises her environment to enable children to choose and use resources independently. n The childminder and her assistant work alongside children and build on opportunities to extend their learning. For example, the assistant models counting as children play with the play dough. However, occasionally, they do

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need to do better?

not give children time to explore things for themselves. Sometimes, they intervene too early with solutions to problems. During the inspection, they intervene quickly when children could not get cutters to work, telling them how to flatten the play dough and turn the cutters over. n Children develop a love of books. The childminder's assistant reads with excellent expression. Older children listen intently and join in with actions and refrains. Younger children crawl over to become more involved in the story. This helps to develop children's language and literacy skills. n The childminder works with other providers effectively. She establishes opportunities to communicate with other childminders about children's

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need to do better?

14 October 2022 development. They work together to plan meaningful activities to support children's learning. She also works with professionals from health to provide advice and support for children and families when needed. n The childminder establishes strong working relationships with parents. She keeps them well informed with photos and communication throughout the day. Parents comment that they know what their children are doing and how they can help. Parents value that the childminder listens and gives invaluable advice and support. n The childminder generally supports her assistant well to develop her knowledge and understanding. For example, she ensures her assistant has attended a range of training. They reflect on how they can improve at the end of the day. However, there are fewer opportunities to provide coaching to strengthen teaching skills further. This means there are minor inconsistencies in practice

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need to do better?

that the childminder has not yet identified. n Occasionally, the childminder does not provide the highest levels of support and challenge for some children and they sometimes lose concentration as a result of this. n The childminder helps children to develop healthy lifestyles. She gives clear and consistent messages regarding health and hygiene. For example, they play in the park and enjoy planting fruit and vegetables in the assistant's garden. They enjoy a range of healthy meals and begin to learn the importance of washing hands before eating.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant have a very strong understanding of safeguarding. They talk confidently about signs that may suggest that a child is subject to abuse. They know who they would contact if they have concerns about children's welfare. The childminder and her assistant attend a range of training to ensure that they keep their knowledge and skills up to date. Her home is safe and well maintained. For example, doors are locked to ensure children are safe in the setting.

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should:

n provide consistently high levels of support and challenge to all children n ensure that children have time to explore things for themselves to solve everyday problems n strengthen coaching and supervision to identify minor inconsistencies in practice.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2599123 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10251521 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 12 Number of children on roll 15 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2020 and lives in the Seaham area of County Durham. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 2. She works with an assistant. The childminder provides funded places for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 setting. n The childminder showed the inspector around her home and explained how she organises her provision. n The inspector talked to the childminder and her assistant at appropriate times during the inspection. n The childminder showed the inspector written feedback that she had gathered from parents. n The childminder observed an activity with the inspector. n The inspector observed children playing and evaluated the impact on children's learning. n The childminder showed the inspector a range of documentation, including those relating to her suitability and other members of her household. n The inspector talked to the childminder about how she manages her provision and keeps children safe.

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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

14 October 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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