Childminder in Northumberland

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

p.1

The provision requires improvement

Children are happy, content and settled in this setting. They have strong attachments with the kind and caring childminder. The childminder wants all children to be ready for the next stage of their learning. However, she does not plan a curriculum that consistently helps all children to make the progress of which they are capable. Despite this, children enjoy the childminder's full attention while they play. They engage well with resources and activities that interest them.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Children develop their imagination when they play. For instance, they recreate home experiences and pretend to be in a shop. The childminder is a sensitive play partner and follows children's lead. Children learn about how things work. They press buttons on electronic toys and operate a pretend till. Children sit in cosy areas and look at books. They develop a love of reading. The childminder encourages children to sing songs. Children develop their vocabulary as they join in with the words and actions of their favourite songs.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Children behave well. They have lovely manners and listen to their friends and the childminder carefully. The childminder makes sure that children bring healthy and nutritious food in their packed lunches. Children enjoy a snack of fruit. The childminder makes sure that children's food is cut up to prevent the risk of them choking.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder does not understand the requirements to complete the written progress for all children aged between two and three years. This means that she does not share a short, written summary with parents about their child's development. This is a breach of the requirements of the early years foundation stage. n The childminder does not consistently encourage children to develop age- appropriate self-care skills. For example, she gives older children milk to drink in a bottle with a teat on. This does not promote children's developing independence or help them to understand about good oral health. n The childminder does not think precisely about what individual children need to learn next during some activities. For example, she provides pencils and worksheets for two-year-old children to complete when they are not at this stage of development. Children find this task difficult and quickly give up. This

p.2

need to do better?

does not help children to persevere and have a go during activities. n The childminder places an emphasis on developing children's language skills. She introduces new words, listens to what children say and encourages them to engage in conversations. Children confidently talk about their favourite characters, home lives and special events.

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need to do better?

11 November 2022 n Children develop their mathematical skills as they play. The childminder encourages children to count and recognise colours and sizes when they build with blocks. Children show good levels of self-esteem. For example, they clap and smile proudly as they build towers. n The childminder provides many resources for children to choose to play with. However, she offers children so many toys that the environment becomes cluttered, and children become distracted when they play. This means that children sometimes flit between activities and are not fully engaged in their learning at times. n The childminder makes sure that she keeps all statutory training up to date, such as first aid and safeguarding. However, she has not kept her knowledge up to date of how to consistently offer a good-quality education for all children. n Parents are very happy with the service that the childminder provides. They

p.2

need to do better?

comment that their children are settled and happy to attend. Parents appreciate the information, which the childminder shares verbally with them each day. n The childminder makes sure that children have daily opportunities to play outdoors in the fresh air. Children play in the childminder's garden, visit local parks and go for walks in the countryside. The childminder provides books and resources that help children to understand the differences between themselves and others.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder understands the signs and symptoms of abuse. She knows who to contact if she has any concerns about a child's welfare. The childminder knows the procedures to follow if there is an allegation against herself or a household member. She checks the environments which children access and play in for any risks each day. The childminder teaches children how to keep themselves safe. For instance, she reminds children not to climb on chairs, in case they might fall.

p.3

Due date

improve understanding of the requirements to complete a written progress for children when they are aged between two and three years and share this with parents. 16/12/2022

p.3

should:

n strengthen the support for children to understand about good oral health and to develop their self-care skills n plan more precisely for what individual children need to learn next during activities n review the organisation of the environment so that children are fully engaged in their play and learning at all times n focus professional development on extending knowledge and skills, to consistently offer children a good-quality education.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 2587206 Local authority Northumberland Inspection number 10251144 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2020 and lives in Belford, Northumberland. She holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. The childminder operates all year round, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for family holidays. The childminder is registered to provide funded early education for children aged two, three and four years. She works with her husband, who is registered as her assistant.

p.5

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 the evaluation of the setting. n The childminder showed the inspector around the areas of her home that children access. She discussed how she organises her setting and plans the curriculum for children. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities and assessed the impact on children's development. The childminder and inspector reflected together on children's learning during their play. n The inspector looked at a sample of the childminder's documentation, including evidence of the suitability of those living on the premises. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection. She took account of the views of parents from

p.6

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

11 November 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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