Childminder in Northumberland

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children flourish and thrive in this warm and nurturing setting. The childminder is a highly skilled practitioner, who knows how to help children make the best possible progress. Children are completely immersed in their learning. The childminder provides a rich and stimulating environment, which focuses on children's individual needs. She knows each child remarkably well. The childminder constantly plays alongside children, offering ideas and extending their learning at every opportunity. Children have many opportunities to investigate and problem solve. For example, they explore flour with much curiosity.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder places a focus on children learning outdoors and exploring their local community. She organises many visits to enhance children's awareness of the wider world. For example, children visit playgroups, the countryside, parks and socialise with other childminders and their children. The childminder takes children to a community initiative each week to choose fruit and vegetables, which she teaches children would otherwise go to landfill. Children delight in bringing them back to the setting to make a healthy and homemade soup for their lunch.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder establishes routines and her expectations well. She makes sure that children know what to expect and understand what is happening next. Through all her interactions, the childminder embeds an understanding and respect for others. As a result, children's behaviour is exceptional. Older children remember to put the tops on their pens as they learn that they are not safe for younger children. Children talk about road safety and recall using zebra crossings on their visits when they move toy cars along a playmat.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has an excellent understanding of how young children learn. She is clear about the concepts she wants children to know and remember. The childminder carefully plans and adapts activities around what children need to learn next. n The childminder sequences the curriculum to build on children's skills. For example, she knows the skills that children need to learn to later write. Babies delight in making marks with their hands with paint on the patio. Toddlers make marks with sticks, paint and cereals. Older children exercise the muscles in their hands, such as by squeezing and spraying paint from bottles. n The childminder places children's communication and language development at the heart of her practice. She teaches children new vocabulary, which they use when they play. The childminder engages children in constant conversations. As a result, children are confident and articulate communicators.

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need to do better?

n Children are eager to learn and concentrate intently when trying to do things.

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need to do better?

17 April 2024 The childminder uses questioning very well to promote children's speaking skills. For instance, she asks open-ended questions about the story children are looking at. This encourages children to provide more detailed answers. n The childminder shares stories and rhymes with children frequently throughout the day. She helps to develop children's understanding and enjoyment of early story language. Children recall and talk about their favourite stories as they play. They join in with familiar rhymes and songs with enthusiasm. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive high- quality support. The childminder is dedicated to using a range of strategies to support and include all children. For instance, she uses visuals prompts and adapts her practice to help all children to have a voice. n The childminder works very closely with other professionals. For instance, she

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need to do better?

liaises with speech therapists and implements interventions for individual children, such as specialised communication systems. The childminder attends meetings when children with SEND also go to nursery, to ensure that she complements children's learning. n The childminder helps children to learn about keeping themselves healthy and to develop their independence. She reminds children to pour their water from an accessible 'drinks station'. Even the youngest children have a good go at putting on their all-in-one suits and boots to go outdoors to play. n The childminder constantly uses mathematical language when commenting on what children are doing. For instance, she points out the colours of objects, discusses shapes they are drawing and talks about containers being 'empty' and 'full'. The childminder encourages older children to develop one-to-one correspondence and work out simple number problems.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has excellent partnerships with parents. Parents very much appreciate the service the childminder provides. The childminder provides a wealth of information to parents about their child's development and how to extend this at home. n The childminder works hard to maintain her outstanding practice. She makes sure that she keeps up to date with all aspects of early years practice, such as supporting children's oral health. The childminder carefully focuses her professional development to enhance outcomes for individual children. For example, she has recently attended training to extend her knowledge of how to support children with autism. n The childminder carefully considers how to prepare children for school and later life. For example, she helps children to understand democracy through constantly making choices and having an opinion throughout the day. Children are extremely confident and have very high levels of self-esteem.

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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 interests first.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY299146 Local authority Northumberland Inspection number 10335155 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 6 June 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2004 and is situated in Hedley on the Hill, Northumberland. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3. She 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 childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intentions for children's learning and how she keeps children safe. n Children spoke to and interacted with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The childminder evaluated children's learning with the inspector. n The inspector spoke to the childminder at appropriate times during the inspection. n Parents shared their written views with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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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

17 April 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

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

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