Childminder in Durham

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 are highly engaged, settled and happy at this very friendly and inclusive setting. They form very strong bonds with the childminder and her assistants, who are consistently calm, patient and kind. The childminder is an excellent role model. She provides children with outstanding support to help them to develop the skills they need to manage their behaviour from a young age. For example, she models to children how to use manners and talk respectfully to others. There is a very strong and consistent emphasis on supporting children to take turns, share and play cooperatively together.

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The provision is outstanding

Children develop rapidly in their independence. The childminder supports children to achieve self-care tasks, such as putting on and taking off shoes. She breaks down these tasks into smaller steps. This helps children to understand the sequences they need to follow to achieve their goals. The childminder is very experienced and highly qualified. She provides consistently high levels of support and interactions to embed and extend children's learning.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are very curious and willing to have a try. They show high levels of concentration for their age as they explore with soil and hunt for insects in the enclosed garden. The support for children's learning is outstanding. The childminder understands the needs of individual children very well and is attentive and encouraging. For example, she provides clear instructions and models to children how to use their hands to make marks, as they explore with different chalks and pens. The childminder consistently praises children's efforts and achievements. This helps to raise their confidence and self-esteem.

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need to do better?

n The childminder gathers detailed information from parents about their children when they start at the setting. This helps her to plan highly stimulating activities and experiences that she knows will provide challenge and capture children's interests. n There is outstanding support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The childminder and her assistants use highly effective strategies to help to soothe and calm children. The childminder is quick to identify any additional support that children need and goes above and beyond in her efforts to provide it. n The childminder provides outstanding support for children's developing communication and language skills. She emphasises new words and supports children to extend their sentences. The childminder and her assistants have completed recent training in this area to extend their skills and knowledge still further.

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need to do better?

23 April 2024 n The childminder's support for children's physical development is excellent. Children squeal in delight as they stretch to catch bubbles and dance and jump to music. They learn to use their hands in different ways. For example, children explore with tongs and investigate with magnifying glasses. n Children benefit from rich opportunities to access fresh air, exercise and nature on a daily basis. They enjoy walks to local woodland, parks and a farm. The childminder talks to children about healthy foods. She models to them how to clean their teeth and look after their oral health. n The childminder adapts her home to help to support children's sensory development. For example, she uses different forms of lighting, blankets and sensory toys to help to support children to feel calm and relaxed. n The childminder shows a very good understanding of the importance of working closely with other professionals involved with children in her care. For example,

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need to do better?

she liaises with speech therapists and health visitors in order to provide consistent support for children's learning and development. n The childminder provides excellent support for her skilled assistants, who are friendly and fun. She supports them to keep their skills up to date and provides rich opportunities for them to complete training to extend their knowledge. n The childminder and her assistants immerse themselves in children's play. They work extremely well together and are very supportive of each other. The childminder and her assistants use regular meetings to discuss their support for children and to help them to evaluate their practice together. n The childminder meets with other childminders to share ideas and quality practice. She has a very positive attitude towards continuous improvement and is passionate about the service she provides.

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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 EY478636 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10338610 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 30 Date of previous inspection 18 April 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2014 and lives in Burnhope, County Durham. She operates all year round, from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds early years professional status. She works with two assistants, one of whom is qualified at level 3. The childminder is registered to provide 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. 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 around the areas of her home that children access. They discussed how the childminder organises her setting and plans the curriculum and experiences for children. n The inspector discussed with the childminder how she helps to keep children safe, including looking at evidence about first-aid training and suitability of those living on the premises. n The childminder and inspector reflected on an activity together. The inspector observed the quality of education during activities and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector took the views of a number of parents into account.

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Inspection activities

23 April 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

23 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

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