Smith, Helen Jayne

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 safe, nurturing environment for children. She builds secure relationships with them and their families and gathers information to help her get to know children before they start. Children are happy to attend the setting, and the childminder supports them to build good levels of self-confidence and self-esteem. Young children who are shy benefit from praise as they begin to join in with play and explore their surroundings. The childminder focuses on helping children to prepare for the next stages in their learning, such as starting school. Older children communicate well and take an active part in their self-care, such as using the toilet.

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The provision is good

The childminder registered with Ofsted after the pandemic. Although she has considered the impact of this on children's development, this has been minimal for children who currently attend. The childminder provides children with a range of planed and unplanned experiences, which they are keen to participate in. Children show enthusiasm to learn and build resilience as they develop and practice new skills. Their behaviour is very good, and the childminder promotes their positive emotional well-being. Children begin to develop good social skills and show kindness towards each other.

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need to do better?

n The childminder provides a balanced and sequenced curriculum that is based on children's interests and learning outdoors. She knows children well and gathers information about their progress through termly assessments. Children have individual next steps for learning, which are shared with parents. This helps to promote continuity of learning. n The childminder provides children with a range of resources that they access independently. She carefully considers children's likes and preferences when she organises the playroom to ensure that this is inviting for children. Children explore the musical instruments and enjoy playing imaginatively with each other. Although the childminder responds to children's play, she does not consistently focus her teaching to challenge or extend their learning. n The childminder focuses on building children's communication and language skills. She sensitively models clear, key words to young children and encourages

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need to do better?

them to talk in the group. Older children use sentences and communicate their needs and preferences clearly. The childminder has a thorough understanding of developmental expectations for children's language. She quickly identifies where there are areas of potential delay in children's speech and makes necessary referrals to get them appropriate support. n The childminder takes children on trips out of the setting on a daily basis. Children thoroughly enjoy looking for the different colours they can find in the

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need to do better?

12 August 2024 woodland areas and picking flowers and leaves to put on the chart. They explore the area with excitement and enthusiastically count the sheep with the childminder when they see them. However, the childminder misses opportunities to teach children about risks in the environment, such as why they cannot eat certain berries. n Children have good relationships with the childminder and each other. The curriculum to support children's personal, social and emotional development is strong. The childminder is a good role model for children and provides clear expectations for behaviour. She models good manners and helps children to share and take turns. Children benefit from attending a range of local groups in the area to help develop their confidence in larger social situations. n The childminder promotes children's good health and physical development. Children develop good physical skills as they practise jumping, and they walk for

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need to do better?

the majority of the trip through the woods. They benefit from fresh air and exercise each day. The childminder provides children with healthy choices for meals and snacks, such as strawberries and pasta with vegetables. Children are willing to try different food with the childminder and show pride when they do this. n The childminder regularly reflects on her practice and the effectiveness of her setting. She provides her assistant with regular opportunities for supervision and ensures that she is aware of the policies, procedures and expectations. The childminder and her assistant maintain their skills to wok with children. They access professional development opportunities and have recently built relationships with the local authority. n Partnership working is good. The childminder gathers and shares information with parents about their children's care and learning on a daily basis. This helps to promote continuity of care and helps the childminder to meet children's

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need to do better?

individual care needs. Parents leave positive feedback for the childminder. They say the childminder 'has provided a very caring, supportive and fun home-from- home environment in which our son has thrived'.

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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 focus teaching even more during children's self-chosen play to challenge their learning and maximise their progress n help children to begin to develop an awareness of their own safety, particularly

p.3

should:

12 August 2024 on trips out of the setting.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2758054 Local authority Middlesbrough Inspection number 10349692 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 15 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered with Ofsted in 2023 and lives in Middlesbrough. She was previously registered with a childminding agency from 2022 to 2023. The childminder operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays, family holidays and a week at Christmas. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The childminder is registered to work with an assistant.

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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 during the planned outing. n The inspector held a discussion with childminder in relation to the leadership and management of the setting. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the childminder's suitability and her assistant's suitability to work with children. n The childminder gathered written feedback from parents for the inspection.

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Inspection activities

12 August 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 August 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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