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

The dedicated, warm and welcoming childminder has children's learning firmly at the heart of her practice. Children develop the skills they need to be curious, imaginative life-long learners. The childminder designs her ambitious curriculum around children's interests and personalities to enrich their overall development. Children happily learn new skills in meaningful ways. This helps them improve their skills and successfully embed new learning and knowledge. For instance, they remember and recall traveling on the bus and train to visit the railway museum.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder creates a safe and exciting space for children to build on their interests and expand their knowledge. This helps children to develop exceptional concentration and focus. For instance, children persevere when looking through binoculars at the clouds and the cars. They work with purpose and attention, wholly engaged in their task.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is exemplary. The childminder and her assistants teach children simple rules to increase their social skills and to support their manners and behaviour. The childminder is particularly skilled in supporting children to understand the needs and feelings of others. Children display kindness towards their friends when they express their support and comfort for one another while they play. With the consistent and loving guidance of the childminder and her assistants, children develop respect and empathy for each other.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has first-class knowledge of each child. She expertly assesses children's progress, and meticulously plans their future learning. Alongside parents, the childminder swiftly addresses any emerging delays in children's development, which helps them to catch up extremely quickly. n Children develop excellent communication and language skills. The childminder's exceptional teaching and love of literacy builds children's knowledge, words and understanding. Children demonstrate what they have learned when they relate to visits to the railway museum and riding on the bus and the train. The childminder is a fantastic listener, giving every child time to think and reason, before they answer. n From the outset, the childminder replicates children's routines from home to create consistency in their care. She builds on what parents tell her about their children's development and shares insights with them to boost children's

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need to do better?

learning at home. Her excellent partnership with parents creates seamless support for children's success and achievements. The childminder makes training available for parents to understand how children learn and develop in certain areas, such as mathematics. Parents commented this was enlightening and

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need to do better?

30 July 2024 enables them to support their children. n Parent's comments are phenomenal. Parents value the excellent communication from the childminder which they comment as being superb. They comment that children are eager to attend because of the excellent team that are highly skilled and engaging. They offer help, advice and support to the whole extended family. n The childminder skilfully supports children to gain excellent independence. She provides time and space for children to practise tasks, such as putting on their own shoes, cutting their own fruit and helping to tidy up. Children understand how hygiene routines, such as washing their hands, helps to keep them healthy. n Children's social and emotional development is a key focus for the childminder. She is extremely committed to helping children learn about the wider world and to develop their confidence in different environments. She regularly takes

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need to do better?

children to museums, a local park, groups and regularly visit the local care home. This helps broaden children's experiences and supports their understanding of the world around them. n The childminder supports children's physical development in exciting ways. For instance, she finds new places to challenge children's balance, coordination and spatial awareness when they visit the park and activity centres. Children demonstrate great hand-to-eye control when they play outside with paint brushes and water as they experiment with making marks. They are able to choose their brush from the vast selection available, and investigate how to put larger brushes into the pot. The childminder allows them to solve this problem themselves, offering some prompts when needed. n The childminder is extremely dedicated and reflective of her and her assistants practice. She strives to always provide the highest quality education and care for

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need to do better?

the children she looks after. They regularly undertake training to improve the already excellent teaching. For instance, she recently attended training on mathematical development. She expertly uses this new knowledge to integrate mathematics into every aspect of practice. Children make superb progress with their mathematical knowledge and understanding.

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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 EY400971 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10357596 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 22 Date of previous inspection 11 December 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2009 and lives in Crook. She operates all year round from 7am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 5 and a level 3 SENCO qualification, She works with three assistants. The childminder provides funded early education for three-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 childminder. 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 The childminder and inspector discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact that this had on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the childminder's setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

30 July 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

30 July 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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