Rippin, Laura

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

p.1

The provision is outstanding

Children receive an exceptional start to their early education during the time they spend with this dedicated childminder. The experiences she provides help children to become immersed in their learning. They concentrate as they explore what happens when they mix together oats and water. They persevere as they practise cutting the strawberries they have grown. The childminder uses questions skilfully to promote children's curiosity and develop their thinking skills. For example, she asks where they should place a plank to extend their obstacle course. They gain a sense of achievement when they manage to pour water out of different dispensers and unscrew the lid on a plastic bottle.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

The learning environment is highly stimulating, especially the childminder's garden. Here children have space to explore a wide range of different activities. They pick vegetables to feed the guinea pigs. They keep a record of the birds they have seen in the garden. They demonstrate an amazing vocabulary as they describe the insects they have found. They giggle with delight as they run around with their arms outstretched pretending to be aeroplanes. Children clearly benefit from these opportunities to learn outdoors, and they are sometimes reluctant to go indoors. The childminder also recognises all of the valuable learning that takes place when they walk to school or playgroup together. Here they gather sticks and pebbles, they take pictures of plants and trees they do not recognise, so they can look them up later. They also learn about road safety and following instructions.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

The childminder is an excellent role model, treating children with kindness and respect. She reminds them about sharing and taking turns in a way that is appropriate for individual children's ages and stages of development. This helps create a wonderfully calm and purposeful atmosphere as children learn and play together.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder is passionate about inspiring children to become confident and inquisitive learners. She accesses a wide range of training and development opportunities. She researches different approaches to early years education. This enables her to review her practice and to implement changes if she considers these will be of benefit to the children in her care. n The childminder has a very clear understanding of what she wants children to learn. She identifies core experiences she recognises as being important for all children, so they develop the knowledge and skills they need to equip them for future learning. This includes supporting children to be ready to move on to school. She helps children to become increasingly independent, as well as helping to develop their confidence when interacting with other children.

p.2

need to do better?

27 June 2024 n The childminder puts considerable thought into the activities she provides. This enables her to adapt her teaching to support each child to progress towards their next developmental stage. In an activity designed to support children to develop their fine motor skills, she provides a wide range of specially selected tools for each child to use. She encourages children to try scooping, pouring, and picking up oats in different ways based on their level of ability. She shows children how to use new resources and then helps them to try them out on their own. This helps all children to make progress as learning is sequenced so effectively. n There is a strong focus on supporting children's communication and language skills. The childminder recognises the value of using high quality stories and rhymes to develop children's vocabulary and to help them gain an appreciation of the flow of speech. Children freely select books. They turn the pages and

p.2

need to do better?

retell the story themselves without any prompting. Storytime is clearly a popular activity, as children snuggle together to enjoy the childminder's engaging and interactive reading. Parents take home book bags with a range of different activities, such as puzzles and games, to further promote children's love of reading at home. n The childminder is committed to promoting a positive attitude towards mathematics. Children develop their knowledge and understanding through a wide range of different activities. For example, they are excited to count the number of worms they find under a log each day. Older children are supported to use a tally chart to record the number they have identified. They then compare this to the number they counted the day before. A story helps children to understand simple subtraction as they take turns in throwing buttons on the floor and working out how many are left. n Children thoroughly enjoy the healthy meals and snacks provided. They are

p.3

need to do better?

proud of the garlic bread they help to prepare. They know that yoghurt contains calcium, which is good for their bones and teeth. They also explain to the inspector that they have washed away the germs from their hands before eating. n Parents recognise how fortunate they are to have found such an inspirational childminder. They are extremely appreciative of the support and advice she provides in relation to their children's development. This includes the work she does to ensure appropriate support is provided for children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Parents remark on the detailed observations and assessments she carries out, saying they will treasure forever their children's learning journal.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

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

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY547652 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10347091 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection 6 August 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Meadowfield, Durham. She operates all year round from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She provides funded early education for two-, three-, and four- year-old children.

p.4

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 childminder. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure it is safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they like doing while with the childminder. n The inspector considered feedback from parents. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

27 June 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6