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

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The provision is good

The childminder has lovely, gentle interactions with children at this friendly and welcoming setting. Children form close bonds and obviously enjoy each other's company. They are happy, settled and secure. New children settle quickly. The childminder provides gentle reminders of what is expected in order to promote their positive behaviour. She talks about feelings with children as they draw pictures of friendly monsters. This helps children to identify and explore different emotions. The childminder supports children to share and take turns. For example, they pass the ball outside in the enclosed garden.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy a wide range of interesting activities that cover all areas of learning. They concentrate as they pretend to cook and prepare food in the toy kitchen. Children are curious as they explore the sounds they make with saucepans and the marks that they make with pencils on paper. Children grow in their independence. The childminder supports them to use the toilet and wash their hands independently. She encourages young children to drink from open cups. The childminder supports children to make simple choices and decisions, such as what to play with next and which fruits to choose at snack time. The childminder praises and encourages children. This helps to promote their confidence and self-esteem.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a clear understanding of where children are in their development. She plans activities which she knows will challenge and interest them. For example, children explore with tweezers and build towers with blocks. However, the childminder does not consistently extend opportunities for children to explore and learn using their senses. For example, she does not introduce more tactile and natural materials into their play. n The childminder provides strong support for children's developing communication and language skills. Children hear lots of language as she repeats words back to them and talks to them about their play. The childminder uses descriptive language and emphasises new words. This helps to increase children's vocabulary and understanding. n The childminder plans well for children's physical development. Children develop their finger strength and hand control, such as when they help to make their

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need to do better?

own sandwiches and wraps. They develop core strength and coordination as they play with balls, hoops and balance bicycles. n The childminder weaves strong support for mathematics through planned activities and everyday routines. Children identify the colour of blocks and count them as they build towers. They look for patterns in the shapes which they make. Children learn about 'half' and 'full' as they make pretend drinks and chop pretend fruit in the toy kitchen.

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need to do better?

21 November 2022 n Children learn about the wider world outside the setting. For example, they enjoy trips to the local library and pet shop. During the school holidays, children travel by bus and train with the childminder to the beach and museum. n Parents speak highly of the childminder and the service which she provides. They say that their children are settled, happy and love coming to the setting. Parents praise the childminder's nurturing and comforting environment and the progress which their children make. The childminder has identified ideas to develop even stronger links between children's learning in the setting and home. n The childminder has established good relationships with the local school, where children also attend. She shares and receives relevant information with school staff. This helps to create a consistent approach to children's learning and development. n The childminder reflects well on children's experiences at the setting. She asks

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need to do better?

children what they enjoy most and if there is anything they would like to do in the future. The childminder listens to children's views and acts on their suggestions. For example, when children said they were interested in dinosaurs and travelling by bus, she planned a trip by bus to see dinosaur fossils at a local museum. n The childminder has experience of supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She keeps her skills and practice up to date through training and online networking events. n The childminder gathers views from parents and uses this information to plan improvements at the setting. She is committed to providing a quality service for the children in her care.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder knows who to contact should she have a concern about a child and the procedures she must take to keep them safe. She attends safeguarding and food hygiene training. The childminder holds a current first-aid certificate. Her home is clean and well organised. The childminder has a good understanding of how to keep children healthy and safe. For example, she promotes good hygiene practices and encourages children not to put toys in their mouths. The childminder encourages children to sit safely on their chairs and tidy their toys away, so that they do not trip.

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should:

n extend opportunities for children to explore and learn using their senses n expand the already good work to involve parents by developing ideas for further links between children's learning at the setting and home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2586293 Local authority Northumberland Inspection number 10251129 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 10 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2020 and lives in Cramlington, Northumberland. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. She offers early funded education for two-, three- and four- year-old children.

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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 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 education 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 a number of parents.

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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

21 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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