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 show they feel safe with the childminder and have close relationships with her. The childminder is warm, caring and nurturing towards children. She gathers information about their care needs and provides flexible settling-in arrangements to help her get to know children. Since the pandemic, the childminder encourages parents to drop children off at the door to minimise cross infection and prevent children from becoming upset at collection times. Parents are happy with this arrangement and say they receive good communication through pictures and the daily diary. This helps to promote continuity of care for children. Children benefit from the regular words of praise from the childminder. They show high levels of confidence and self-esteem.

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The provision is good

The childminder prepares the playroom with activities children are interested in. They show excitement and enthusiasm to join in. For example, babies enjoy making marks in the paint with their fingers. Young children talk about their experiences of autumn and the colours they are using. The childminder helps older children prepare to move on to school and has clear aims for their progress. She helps them to use mathematical language in their play and encourages them to count out the bears for the corresponding colour on the dice.

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need to do better?

n Children are keen to join in with activities and engage in their learning. They explore the playroom with excitement and show confidence as they choose where they want to learn. The childminder has an effective balance of child-led and adult-led activities. She prepares children for the next stages in their learning and provides an exciting curriculum, which helps children make good progress. n The childminder helps children to develop their communication and language skills. For instance, she models key words to babies and they copy her actions as they explore the shiny sensory resources. Children enjoy stories and discuss what they think is happening and why. Young children use an extensive vocabulary and use sentences to hold conversations and play imaginatively. n The childminder divides her time well, as she works with children with a wide age range. However, on occasion, she does not focus her teaching on meeting

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need to do better?

children's individual learning needs. For instance, the childminder asks older children the same questions as younger children as they paint. She misses opportunities to challenge and extend their small physical skills as they make marks. n Children have good relationships with the childminder. They benefit from robust settling-in sessions and the childminder gathers information from parents. This helps her to meet their care needs and plan activities they are interested in from

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need to do better?

3 October 2023 the start. Babies show they feel safe with the childminder and stay close to her for reassurance. n The childminder promotes children's good health and encourages them to be independent. For example, young children learn how to wash their hands and use the toilet independently. Older children talk about the impact of healthy eating and learn about fruits and vegetables as they enjoy their healthy snack. n The childminder promotes children's positive emotional well-being. She gently reminds young children to wait for their turn. She is a positive role model for them and reminds them to say please and thankyou consistently. Children's behaviour is very positive. They are kind to each other and begin to develop good social skills. n The childminder has not yet established partnerships with other settings children attend, such as the school nursery. This means she cannot effectively share or

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need to do better?

gather information to continue children's learning in the setting, to further promote continuity. n The childminder regularly provides her assistants with supervision and encourages them to attend training to refresh their skills and knowledge. For instance, both assistants have relevant first-aid qualifications and have accessed child protection training. n Parents are very happy with the care and learning experiences the childminder provides. They leave very positive feedback for the inspection. For example, they are 'thrilled' with aspects of the provision, such as the communication and settling-in processes.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder understands her responsibilities to keep children safe from harm. She has a clear understanding of the potential signs of abuse, and knows how to record and report concerns about children's welfare. The childminder regularly attends and accesses training for child protection, to stay refreshed on current issues and concerns. For example, the childminder discusses the potential signs of neglect and female genital mutilation. She ensures her assistants are aware of the procedures to follow, including how to contact the local safeguarding partners. The childminder teaches children how to stay safe. For example, she carries out regular fire drills and children share their knowledge of what to do in an emergency. The childminder ensures her assistants are suitable to work with children. They have enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks.

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should:

n focus teaching more sharply on children's individual next steps, to help them

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should:

3 October 2023 make even more progress n establish partnership working with other settings children attend, to promote continuity of learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY457936 Local authority Stockton-on-Tees Inspection number 10310922 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 12 Number of children on roll 16 Date of previous inspection 28 March 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Billingham, Cleveland. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. She works with two assistants. The childminder has a relevant early years qualification at level 3.

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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 setting and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n A joint observation was completed by the childminder and inspector, indoors during a planned activity. n The inspector held a discussion with childminder in relation to the leadership and management of the setting. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the childminder's, and her assistants', suitability to work with children. n The childminder obtained written feedback from parents for the inspection.

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Inspection activities

3 October 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

3 October 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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