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 very much at ease in the childminder's care. They readily climb on her lap and come close for a hug, showing they feel safe. The childminder's warm and attentive approach contributes to children's strong sense of security and increasing levels of confidence. Children play happily in the childminder's home. They are keen to show and tell the inspector what they like to do.

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The provision is good

The childminder supports children's learning very well. Her ambitious curriculum centres around teaching children life skills for the future and has a strong focus on children's developing communication and language skills. The childminder regards these to be important in laying a secure foundation for all other areas of children's learning to build on. The impact of her curriculum is evident in the very good progress that children make.

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The provision is good

Children play well together and develop early friendships. The childminder provides good support to help children to manage their frustrations and consider the needs of others. She ensures that children know her expectations and understand her boundaries for their behaviour. Children follow the childminder's direction and behave well. They know, for example, that they must not go beyond the first step of the staircase.

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need to do better?

n Children benefit from well-planned activities that meet their learning needs. The childminder varies her teaching to help each child to build on what they already know and can do. For example, she is careful to provide more support and prompts to children who are not as confident to participate. This helps children to build on their learning and achieve well across all areas of development. n The childminder's interactions with children strengthen their opportunities to learn even more. She models new skills, such as how to use rollers and cutters with dough, guiding children's hands to demonstrate. Children quickly learn to use the tools independently. The childminder encourages children to knead and squeeze the dough, to strengthen their hands in preparation for early writing. n The childminder is keen to extend her own knowledge and skills. For example, following training around promoting children's speech, she has focused more

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need to do better?

intently on how she communicates with children. The childminder uses simple words and phrases that children repeat and understand. She embeds songs and rhymes throughout the day. Children learn new words quickly and speak with increasing clarity and fluency. n Partnerships with other professionals are extremely effective. The childminder has been intrinsic in securing extra support for some children and families, making swift referrals and establishing arrangements to share information. This

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need to do better?

25 April 2024 has helped to ensure that children's care and learning needs have been met swiftly. n The childminder provides routines that help children to feel secure. She is very aware of children's individual preferences and sensitivities and ensures that these are fully considered when planning her days. Children know what to expect, which reduces any frustrations or anxiety. They benefit from warm, reliable and consistent care that supports their emotional well-being effectively. n Parents appreciate the childminder for her hard work and dedication. They say children make 'massive progress' and that the childminder has directly contributed to how kind and caring their children have become. Parents welcome regular updates about their children's progress and ideas for activities at home, such as sensory play. This has helped them to support their children's early learning and accelerate their progress.

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need to do better?

n Children benefit from nutritional meals and fresh air that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. However, the childminder does not consistently help them to learn good habits that support their good health. For example, young children drink juice from bottles throughout the day, which does not support good oral health. n The childminder wants children to be confident and self-sufficient. She progressively teaches them to manage tasks for themselves, taking account of their stage of development. For example, children will first bring their shoes to the childminder, then move on to putting their own feet in, then managing fastenings when they are able. The childminder's consistent praise contributes to children's high self-esteem. Children are proud of their independence.

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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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should:

n teach children even more consistently about ways to keep themselves healthy.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY535568 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10335529 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 6 Date of previous inspection 19 June 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016 and lives in Ferryhill. Her opening hours are from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. She operates all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an early years qualification at level 3 and works with assistants. She provides funded early education for two-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder has received since the COVID-19 pandemic. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the childminder. n The childminder showed the inspector around the areas of her home used for childcare. She discussed her early years curriculum and how she organises her provision. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of suitability of the childminder. n The inspector spoke to the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection. She took account of parent's views from written feedback provided.

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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 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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