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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children demonstrate that they are happy and feel secure in this nurturing environment. They form close bonds with the childminder and her assistant, who are extremely attentive to their needs. Babies approach them for cuddles and affection. Older children are highly sociable and confident. They engage well with visitors, chatting excitedly about the activities they enjoy doing with their friends. The childminder supports children's confidence and self-esteem by offering lots of praise for their efforts and achievements. Children's artwork is displayed throughout the setting, which they proudly show to visitors.

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The provision is good

Children select their own toys to play with. For example, babies contentedly play with the toy animals. They concentrate well as they open and close the door on the toy farm and repeat back the words 'open' and 'close'. Good daily practices help build children's understanding of how to keep themselves safe. Children explain how they must stop what they are doing if the childminder holds her hand out and says 'stop'! Children learn how to keep their bodies healthy. They discuss how they clean their own teeth and how they must eat up all of their vegetables. The childminder and her assistant are good role models and have high expectations for children's behaviour, which is very good.

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need to do better?

n The childminder and her assistant know children well. They have a good understanding of what the children already know and what they need to learn next. For example, children look for house numbers on the daily walk back from nursery when they are developing number recognition beyond 10. Children are confident and eager to share their ideas and are ready for their next stage of learning. n The childminder works closely with her assistant to plan exciting and interesting activities for children. They complete some mandatory training, such as first aid, food hygiene and safeguarding, which helps to keep children safe. However, the childminder has not yet focused their professional development as sharply in order to raise the quality of education to the highest level. n The childminder ensures that children learn to enjoy books and songs from an early age. She uses puppets creatively to inspire singing and storytelling. Babies

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need to do better?

bounce up and down enthusiastically as the childminder sings to them. n Children have plenty of opportunity for outdoor learning. They explore a variety of exciting, age-appropriate play equipment in the large, enclosed garden. This helps to promote exercise, which supports children's muscle development and coordination. n The childminder and her assistant support children's language and communication skills well. For example, babies enjoy listening to words, such as

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need to do better?

27 March 2023 'dab, dab, dab' as they use chunky brushes to explore paint. Older children develop and practise their language skills as the childminder introduces new vocabulary to them. For example, she teaches them the words 'massive' and 'ginormous' as they discover the spring buds on a walk. n Children enjoy exploring the natural environment with the childminder. She speaks with children about the new buds appearing on the trees. The childminder encourages children to gently touch them, look at the flowers and listen to environmental sounds. This helps children to develop an understanding of nature and living things. n The childminder has good links with other childminders. They share information and ideas about activities and resources, and attend groups and trips out together. This enables the children to spend time with other children. However, the childminder has not yet established secure working relationships with other

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need to do better?

settings which children attend, to build even more effective partnerships. n Children develop their self-care and independence well. They help to prepare their own snacks and learn how to keep themselves safe while doing this. For instance, the childminder discusses that knives can be sharp. n The childminder keeps parents informed of their child's progress through daily messages and sharing learning goals. This ensures continuity for children. Parents say they are very happy with the service that the childminder provides. They praise her for how well she supports the children's learning and well-being and say she is like a 'second mum' to their children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant are aware of their responsibilities to keep children safe. They keep a clean and safe environment for the children. The childminder has policies and procedures in place to ensure that all measures are taken to reduce unnecessary risks to children. The childminder and her assistant understand the signs and symptoms of a child who is at risk of harm and knows how to act upon any concerns. They confidently talk about how to report safeguarding concerns about children and what to do if an allegation is made about them. The childminder ensures that children are safe in the property through the good use of supervision and additional measures, such as baby gates.

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should:

n focus professional development more sharply on extending experiences for children and enhancing the quality of education to the highest level n find ways to develop partnerships with other settings which children also attend, to provide the best possible support for children's learning and development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY545564 Local authority Redcar and Cleveland Inspection number 10280817 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 18 Number of children on roll 11 Date of previous inspection 4 September 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Middlesbrough. She holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. The childminder works with two assistants. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. 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 their evaluation of the childminder. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures that they are safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for the curriculum. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while with the childminder. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity with the childminder. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on

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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

27 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

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

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