Childminder in Hartlepool

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 have warm, affectionate relationships with the kind and caring childminder. Children are happy and feel safe and secure in her care. The passionate childminder has a wealth of knowledge and experience. She uses this knowledge to plan exciting and interesting activities. For example, children investigate coloured rice. They use chop sticks and scoops to investigate the rice. Children are keen to get involved in the activities on offer and show a positive attitude to their learning.

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The provision is good

Children spend a lot of time outside, exploring. They investigate the childminder's garden, looking for bugs and feeling the texture of ice. They use small and large slides and propel themselves on push-along vehicles. This helps to develop their balance, coordination and large-muscle skills.

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The provision is good

Children's behaviour is good. They respond well to the childminder's instructions and are polite and well mannered. The childminder supports children to take part in daily routines. They climb large steps and wash their hands at the sink. Older children help to prepare lunch. They chop fruit and vegetables and spread cheese on crackers. This helps to develop children's independence skills. Children confidently lead their own play. Older children use their imagination, pretending to make food in the role-play kitchen. Toddlers use an interactive tea pot to make tea. This helps to develop children's imaginative skills.

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need to do better?

n Children's communication skills are developing well. The childminder supports children's emerging speech and language skills well. She talks with children as they play and waits patiently for them to respond. The childminder introduces new vocabulary as children play. For example, she introduces words such as 'sushi, lychee' and 'centipede'. As a result, children's speaking and listening skills are progressing well. n The childminder demonstrates a genuine enjoyment of her work. She enthusiastically talks about her curriculum and the activities that she provides. The childminder is a reflective practitioner. She regularly attends training and enjoys reading and researching about early years topics. This helps to keep her knowledge and professional development up to date. n The childminder knows the children in her care very well. She plans effectively to support children's learning and children make good progress, overall. However,

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need to do better?

on occasion, the childminder misses opportunities to fully extend and challenge children to maximise learning and help them make the best possible progress. For example, when older children successfully count and sort coins into groups of five, the childminder does not extend this learning even further.

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need to do better?

24 January 2023 n The childminder ensures children get plenty of fresh air and exercise. She visits nearby woodland, and they attend playgroups. Furthermore, children climb soft- play steps and push themselves down the slide in the childminder's playroom. Children paint on an easel and complete small jigsaw puzzles. This helps to develop children's large- and small-muscle skills. n The childminder teaches children about leading a healthy lifestyle. For example, they taste a range of foods and talk about which is healthy. The childminder ensures that the meals and snacks she provides are well balanced and nutritious. Children brush their teeth after lunch and the childminder talks to parents and children about the importance of oral health. This helps them to understand about healthy lifestyles. n The childminder is positive, calm and nurturing. She has very good relationships with the children in her care. She is an excellent role model. Older children are

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need to do better?

kind and are beginning to share. They say 'Let's do it together' to their younger peers. The childminder provides lots of praise and encouragement. This helps to raise children's self-esteem and confidence. n Partnerships with parents are good. The childminder regularly shares information about children's progress and how they can support children's learning at home. Parents state how pleased they are with the childminder. They describe her as 'amazing, nurturing and supportive'. However, the childminder has yet to establish partnerships with other settings that children attend. She shares some initial information when children first start, but learning information is not yet shared consistently. n Children develop a love of books. The childminder takes them to story sessions at the local library. The childminder introduces new stories to children. She reads 'Handa's Surprise' and children hear new words, such as 'guava'. Children

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need to do better?

independently access their favourite books at the childminder's home. This helps to develop children's early literacy skills.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of her duty to protect children and report any concerns she may have about a child's well-being. She undertakes regular training in safeguarding. The childminder understands the signs which would indicate that a child is being exposed to radical and extreme views. Furthermore, the childminder is aware of county lines and female genital mutilation. The childminder understands the procedure to follow, should an allegation be made against a herself or a family member. Robust risk assessments are carried out indoors and outside. This helps to keep children safe.

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should:

24 January 2023 n focus more closely on all of the available opportunities within activities to challenge and extend children's learning even further n develop partnerships with other providers further and share information about children's development to provide continuity in their care and learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2606198 Local authority Hartlepool Borough Inspection number 10263384 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 5 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2020 and lives in Hartlepool. She operates all year round from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant early years qualification at level 3. The childminder provides funded early education for two- and three-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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure they are safe and suitable. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about children's learning and development. n Parents shared their views of the setting through written feedback. n The childminder and inspector carried out a joint observation.

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Inspection activities

24 January 2023 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

24 January 2023 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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