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 Good

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The provision is good

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They form a strong bond with the childminder and with their peers. Children develop wider friendships when they meet with other childminder groups. This helps to develop their social skills and broaden their experiences.

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The provision is good

The childminder knows the children well. She checks what children already know and can do when they first join. She uses this information to plan and provide activities that reflect the next stage of their learning and development. Children make good progress, especially in their communication and language skills and their personal, social and emotional development.

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The provision is good

The childminder has high expectations for children's learning and behaviour. Children have a positive attitude to learning. They join in enthusiastically with adult-led activities. Children can play independently and use their imagination well in role play. Children are well behaved. They have good social skills and negotiate tasks with each other. For example, they carry a box of vegetables together into another room 'to make a carrot cake' together.

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The provision is good

Children's independence is well promoted throughout the daily routines. They show good personal care skills and understand why and when they need to wash their hands. Children also have a good understanding of how to keep themselves fit and well. At lunchtime, they talk about what foods are healthy and to eat more often and what foods are less healthy and eaten as a treat.

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need to do better?

n Children talk about what they like to do at the setting. They say they enjoy 'playing with their friends, playing with the trucks, and going to the park and meeting with other childminders'. They also talk about how much they enjoy visits to other places, such as cafés. Regular scheduled activities, for example a weekly gymnastics class, help to develop children's muscle strength, balance and coordination. n The childminder works well with the local nursery school that children attend. She plans interesting learning experiences around the current theme at nursery. This helps to extend and build on what children already know and can do. For example, linked to a traditional stories theme, children engage in a porridge- making activity that they thoroughly enjoy. n The childminder skilfully includes different areas of learning into activities. For example, children write a list of items needed for a porridge-making activity.

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need to do better?

This helps to develop children's' early literacy skills. She asks children to weigh the bowls of porridge. Before they use weighing scales, children hold the

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need to do better?

25 April 2023 different-sized bowls in their hands. They discuss which bowl they think is 'heavier' and 'lighter', and consider how the amount of porridge will affect the weight. As a result, children make good progress in developing their mathematical and problem-solving skills. n Children remain engaged in activities for extended periods of time. After making the porridge, they go on to chop fruit to add in. This helps to promote children's physical skills, their hand-to-eye coordination and their understanding of personal safety. n Children's language skills are well supported by the childminder. They are encouraged to listen carefully and to follow instructions. Children describe their porridge as 'lumpy' or 'tasty'. They make comparisons and work out whether 'more' or 'less' water or oats are needed to get to the right consistency. n Children learn to care for themselves and their play environment. They happily

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need to do better?

tidy away resources while listening to tidy-up songs. They enjoy vacuuming oats from the floor with small hand-held vacuum cleaners. Children show a sense of pride in their efforts when the floor is clear. n Partnerships with parents and other settings are good. Parents say that they are very happy with the care and learning their children receive. They say their children love attending and feel like part of the childminder's family. n The childminder has a positive attitude towards professional development. Since the last inspection, she has continued to complete relevant safeguarding training, including attending a paediatric first-aid course. Recommendations from the last inspection have been addressed. Children's learning experiences are now more challenging. Opportunities to develop children's problem-solving skills are good.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues, including the 'Prevent' duty. She is aware of the signs and symptoms that could show a child is at risk of harm. The childminder knows the procedures to follow should there be any concerns about a child's welfare. The rear garden is safe and secure. The childminder's home is welcoming and secure. However, some cleaning materials are stored in a low kitchen cupboard, which is accessible by children. Children are kept safe when on outings. She ensures that children learn how to keep themselves safe, such as when using child-sized knives.

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should:

n take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of children on the premises, for example by ensuring that cleaning materials are not accessible to children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY265893 Local authority Stockton-on-Tees Inspection number 10287548 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 2 Date of previous inspection 5 July 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2003 and lives in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees. She operates all year round, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder currently works Tuesday and Wednesday, term time only. She receives funding to provide early education for 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 the premises and discussed how they ensure those are safe and suitable. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about children's learning and development, with a particular focus on communication and language. 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 assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity with the childminder and discussed the learning intention and outcome. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on

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Inspection activities

request. n The inspector took account of text-message comments provided by 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

25 April 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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