Childminder in Durham

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 extremely happy and settle well. The childminder develops warm and nurturing relationships with the children. She spends time playing alongside them and delights in their company. Children seek out the childminder for comfort and she celebrates their efforts and achievements with praise as they play. As a result, children are confident and get involved in a range of experiences.

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The provision is good

Children confidently choose toys that are easily accessible in a designated playroom. They constantly initiate play and interactions with the childminder and know that she will enthusiastically engage. Children use their imagination. For example, they pretend to cook meals and bring them to the childminder to taste. They also select clothing and shoes to dress up in. Older children eagerly thread coloured pasta tubes and count out how many they have. Younger children concentrate as they stick the pasta tubes into the play dough. This helps to develop children's fine motor skills.

p.2

The provision is good

Children learn to manage simple tasks for themselves and develop self-care skills. For example, they choose a banana for a snack, and the childminder encourages them to cut it up. Children behave well. The childminder offers good support to help children understand the expectations regarding taking turns and sharing.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has clear intentions for what she wants children to achieve. She collates information from parents when children first start about what they already know and can do. This helps her to focus on what they need to learn next. The childminder makes plans to help children to practise and build on their skills and understanding. All children make good progress because of her careful planning and teaching. n Children become engaged and motivated in their learning through the range of activities available to them. The childminder supports children to develop their knowledge and understanding as they play. However, very occasionally, she misses chances to encourage children to investigate and speculate during activities to help them solve problems for themselves. n Children's communication and language skills are promoted well. The childminder engages children in frequent conversations and discussions. She

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need to do better?

plans lots of opportunities for children to engage in songs and stories. During activities, the childminder models turn-taking and introduces new vocabulary. She takes time to listen to and value children's contributions. Children confidently communicate with adults, their peers and visitors. n The childminder begins to use mathematical concepts in children's play, such as 'tall' and 'full'. Children use their hands to scoop up pasta and squeeze and roll

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need to do better?

13 March 2024 the dough. The childminder encourages them to count and name colours as they play freely. Furthermore, she supports children to use their fingers to count with. This helps to develop their early counting skills. n Children are taught the importance of healthy lifestyles. For example, the childminder talks through simple instructions as children wash their hands. They know to rub them all over with soap, rinse with water and dry. The childminder provides healthy snacks of fruit. Where necessary, she works with parents to ensure healthy packed lunches are being brought to the setting. n The childminder encourages children's social development by regularly taking them on outings. Children routinely enjoy trips to parks, the local library and playgroups. This supports children's understanding of their local community and their developing social skills. n The childminder regularly attends mandatory training, such as paediatric first aid

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need to do better?

and safeguarding. However, she is yet to explore other ways of further expanding on the programme for professional development to help elevate her practice to an even higher level. n Parents are delighted with the provision. They comment that the support they receive is very good and their children have settled well. Parents say that they have observed a positive change in their children's confidence since they started attending the childminder's setting. The childminder sends parents regular updates about children's well-being and the activities on offer. This helps parents to extend their children's learning at home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interest first.

p.3

should:

n provide more encouragement for children to speculate and experiment to help them solve problems for themselves n expand on the programme for professional development to help raise the quality of already good teaching even further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY469882 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10317027 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 9 Date of previous inspection 9 May 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2013 and lives in Spennymoor. She operates all year round from 7.45am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 2. 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 setting. n The inspector carried out a discussion with the childminder on how the curriculum is delivered. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. She spoke with the children during the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint evaluation with the childminder. n The inspector held a meeting with the childminder. She looked at relevant documentation.

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Inspection activities

13 March 2024 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

13 March 2024 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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