Childminder in Stockton-on-Tees

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 thrive in the childminder's welcoming and nurturing environment. The attachments which children have with the childminder are evident. Children form friendship bonds and play together very well. They discuss their ideas and share resources. Older children happily engage younger children in their play. They gently explain what is happening and willingly wait for younger children to become involved. This shows that children have regard and consideration for others.

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The provision is good

Children have easy access to the wide variety of resources on offer. This helps to build children's confidence in developing their own play and ideas. For example, children know to get magnifying glasses and binoculars to look at birds in the garden. Children look at pictures and confidently name the different types of birds. They bounce up and down with delight as they look at a bird's nest in a tree. They talk about how birds will lay eggs in the nest and that baby birds will hatch from the eggs. This helps to develop children's understanding of the natural world.

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The provision is good

Children behave very well. They show high levels of respect for the childminder's environment. For example, they know to tidy away resources before snack time. Children automatically say 'please' and 'thank you'. They appreciate the very genuine praise given by the childminder for their manners.

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need to do better?

n The childminder encourages children to use numbers and counting in their play. She helps children to count individual blocks as they build towers. The childminder teaches children about size as they group objects together. She enhances children's mathematical vocabulary. For example, the childminder encourages children to think about which objects are 'smaller' or 'larger' than others. n The childminder is an exceptionally skilled storyteller. She fosters children's love of books as she uses different tones of voice and gives children time to ask questions. The childminder automatically includes books in children's play. For example, children read the story 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' as they talk about a visit to the nearby butterfly world. n Children enjoy practising their physical skills. Younger children show concentration as they work out how to negotiate steps. For example, they recognise they need to hold onto the wall before lifting their feet up. Older

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need to do better?

children focus intently as they very carefully place the eyes in position to make butterflies. Children's faces beam with delight as they achieve their goals. n The childminder places a high priority on developing children's emotional well- being. For example, she recognises when children are tired and talks to them in a very quiet and soothing way, before laying them down to sleep. The

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need to do better?

21 March 2023 childminder recognises when children need a cuddle and wraps them in her arms. This enables children to feel safe and secure in the childminder's home. n The childminder teaches children to keep themselves healthy and develop their self-care skills. For example, children rub soap onto their hands and check that they are clean before using their individual towels to dry them. n Parents are especially complimentary about the childminder's service. They praise the progress their children make and how the childminder supports their learning. Parents' comments include, 'There are not enough words to describe how grateful we are for the love and care that the childminder shows our children.' n The childminder offers children many opportunities to learn about their external environment. She makes excellent use of the community with visits to nearby shops, where children choose their own items and pay for their shopping. The

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need to do better?

childminder teaches children how to keep themselves safe. For example, she reminds children to look and listen for vehicles as they wait to cross the road. n The childminder gets down to children's level and speaks slowly and clearly to them. She knows to use the correct pronunciation of words and to give children time to consider what has been said. However, at times, the childminder does not make effective use of questioning to further promote children's language development and thinking skills. n The childminder teaches children about healthy eating. For example, they talk together about different foods which help them to grow and be strong. However, the childminder prepares fruit and pours children's drinks at snack time. This means that children do not have opportunities to further develop their independence skills during everyday routines.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a secure understanding of her responsibilities to protect children. She knows the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child's welfare, including protecting children from extremist views. The childminder accesses child protection training. She is aware of the correct procedures to take should an allegation be made against her. The childminder ensures that her premises are secure. She identifies and minimises any potential hazards.

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should:

n make better use of questioning during children's play and activities to promote children's language development and thinking skills further n consider how everyday routines can be used to further develop children's independence skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2621653 Local authority Stockton-on-Tees Inspection number 10281026 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 6 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2021 and lives in Stockton-on-Tees. She operates all year round from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early 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 the evaluation of the setting. n A joint observation of an activity was carried out with the childminder. n The inspector observed activities and assessed the impact on children's learning and development. n The inspector spoke to the childminder and children during the inspection. n The written views and opinions of parents were taken account of by the inspector.

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Inspection activities

21 March 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

21 March 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

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