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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children are happy in the childminder's care. They thoroughly enjoy their time in the homely environment. The childminder, who is attentive and kind, forms secure relationships with children. She knows children well and provides them with reassurance and cuddles as needed. This helps children to feel safe and secure.

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The provision is good

The childminder has high expectations of children's behaviour. She is polite and respectful, which she encourages children to replicate in their own interactions with each other. For example, when children learn to take turns and share resources, the childminder demonstrates these behaviours. Children build good relationships with their friends. The childminder praises children for their achievements, for example, when they build a train track together. She supports children well to develop positive attitudes to their learning

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The provision is good

The childminder maximises her rural location and the access to vast outdoor areas and the many resources available. Children have access to this area, where they are able to explore and experiment with large play equipment to practise their mobility, balance and coordination skills. The childminder also helps children to develop an understanding of the countryside, caring for animals and the environment. She supports children to understand the wider world, such as going to various groups to enhance children's social skills and experience life outside the locality. For example, the childminder has recently taken children on public transport, to give them the opportunity to experience a different mode of transport.

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need to do better?

n The childminder plans her curriculum according to children's likes, interests and next steps in learning. Prior to children attending, the childminder gathers key information from parents to help her to identify children's individual characteristics and care needs. The childminder monitors children's progress closely. She completes regular assessments to ensure that her knowledge of children's abilities is up to date. She provides experiences to help close any gaps in children's learning. n The childminder works effectively with parents. She shares regular and pertinent information with parents daily, verbally and through a messaging service. The childminder also shares any development reports, such as the progress checks when children are aged between two and three years. She signposts parents to external support to provide extra help for children's learning, if needed. This ensures that any gaps in children's learning close quickly and children make

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need to do better?

effective progress in learning. n Parents' comments are extremely positive. They appreciate being well informed about their child's learning and like the flexibility of the setting. Additionally,

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need to do better?

23 July 2024 parents comment that their children thrive in the childminder's care and are eager to attend. n The childminder reflects on her practice and identifies area for development. She completes all statutory training and strives to keep her knowledge up to date. However, the childminder does not target professional development opportunities to help to raise the quality of education to an even higher level. n Children have frequent opportunities to develop their communication and language skills. The childminder encourages children to explore words and sounds as they explore with toys which make sounds. Children repeat familiar words and phrases in response to the childminder's warm interactions. The childminder models new vocabulary, providing narration through activities. Children have access to age-appropriate books, which they enjoy and happily share with the childminder. n The childminder supports children to learn some of the ways to live healthy

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need to do better?

lifestyles. The childminder provides a range of healthy and freshly cooked meals and snacks. Children sit and enjoy their lunch together at the table and develop skills in using cutlery. Children have access to fresh water and milk throughout the day. n The childminder is enthusiastic and actively joins in with children's play to enhance their learning. She sits at children's level and provides ideas to develop their self-chosen play. The childminder allows children time to play without interruptions, and is aware of each child's learning preference. Therefore, children benefit from a full learning experience. n The childminder works well with other professionals. She encourages parents to share progress reports with health visitors and has developed strong working relationship with other settings that children attend. This enables the childminder to provide consistency and continuity for children and their next

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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 interest's first

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should:

n focus on how professional development opportunities can be used to raise the quality of the already good practice to an even higher level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2685203 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10357639 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 4 Number of children on roll 4 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2022 and lives in Bishop Auckland. She operates all year round, from 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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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 the curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The childminder and inspector discussed how the curriculum is implemented and the impact on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

23 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

23 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

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

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