Childminder in Stockton-on-Tees

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

The childminder provides a warm, caring and nurturing environment for children and families. Children show they feel happy, safe and secure with the childminder and her assistant. They are keen to explore their surroundings and play independently. The childminder helps children to prepare for the next stages in their learning and build on their existing knowledge. For example, children share their knowledge about how plants grow and thoroughly enjoy planting their carrots from the seed paper. They show enjoyment in stories and listen intently to the childminder's assistant.

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The provision is good

Although the childminder registered her setting after the COVID-19 pandemic, she has reflected on the impact of this on children's learning and experiences. For example, she helps children to enjoy learning outdoors and celebrates difference and diversity. This helps children to develop a good understanding of the world around them. Children have good social skills and show confidence in social situations as they call out 'good morning' to the other allotment users. The childminder and her assistant consistently model good manners and provide children with consistent behavioural boundaries. They have high expectations for children. Children are well-mannered and very polite.

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need to do better?

n The childminder provides an exciting, challenging curriculum for children. She teaches children through their play and plans activities that are based on their interests and stages of development. The childminder ensures her assistant understands what children need to learn, and they regularly reflect on the impact of their teaching on children's progress. n The childminder encourages children to make good progress in their communication and language development through regular stories and songs. She swiftly identifies where there are potential delays and makes referrals to the relevant agencies. Although the childminder has accessed training to support this area of children's development, she has not yet implemented strategies to focus on closing the gaps in children's learning. n The childminder and her assistant work closely together to plan exciting activities that children enjoy. The childminder supports her assistant to access a

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need to do better?

wide range of professional development opportunities and they attend training together. However, during activities, the childminder does not provide specific direction to her assistant to help her focus her teaching. n Mathematics is a strong area of the curriculum. The childminder naturally models mathematical language to children through their day and helps them to incorporate this in a relevant and purposeful way. Young children show very good knowledge of numerals and can count objects accurately past five. They

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need to do better?

12 July 2024 enjoy filling and emptying plant pots and talk about how things 'float' in the mud kitchen at the allotment. n The childminder supports children to build good levels of independence and self- care to help them prepare for the next stages in their learning, such as school. Children are keen to start using the toilet and develop their awareness of healthy choices. The childminder promotes children's oral hygiene and helps them to brush their teeth in her setting. n Children's behaviour is very good. The childminder and her assistant are good role models for children and have positive relationships with children and each other. Young children receive praise when they share and take turns without any support. They are keen to learn and enthusiastic to join in with activities. n The childminder gathers information about children and their families when they start. She uses this to carefully consider children's experiences and how she can

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need to do better?

broaden their knowledge. Children thoroughly enjoy using the allotment and are proud of the fruits and vegetables they have grown. The childminder regularly takes children on trips out of the setting, such as to the museum. This helps them to learn about the wider world. n The childminder and her assistant have positive relationships with parents and other settings children attend. They share information about children's learning to promote continuity. Parents leave positive feedback for the childminder. They say that she is 'caring and empathetic towards families' and that 'children have made significant progress since they started'.

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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 enhance understanding of how to support children's communication and language skills even further and implement strategies to help to close gaps in children's learning n help the assistant to focus their teaching during activities to maximise children's learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2662367 Local authority Stockton-on-Tees Inspection number 10354504 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 6 Number of children on roll 3 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2022 and lives in Stockton-on-Tees. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder is registered to work with an assistant. She provides funded early education places 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 began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities, indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n A joint observation was completed by the childminder and the inspector, outdoors during a planned activity. n The inspector held a discussion with childminder in relation to the leadership and management of the setting. She looked at relevant documentation, including evidence of the childminder's and her assistant's suitability to work with children. n The inspector spoke to parents and obtained feedback for the inspection.

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Inspection activities

12 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

12 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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