Childminder in Darlington

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is outstanding

Children are extremely happy and content in the safe, secure and welcoming home environment the childminder provides. They quickly become part of the childminder's family, enjoying interactions with key family members, including 'Sparky', their pet dog.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder implements focused, clear learning intentions securely across her provision. She has a very clear understanding of what she wants children to learn and how she can challenge them further as they play and explore together. The childminder demonstrates this when she sets up an activity in the garden, using breakfast cereal. Children develop their speech as they explore how to make the cereal smaller in size. She models words, such as 'squeeze', showing children how to grasp cereal in their hand to make it smaller. Even two-year-old children come up with their own ideas as they begin to use toy animals to crunch the cereal in the tray. The childminder is focused and targets children's learning well, especially those who are in receipt of funding. For instance, children are able to access opportunities, such as den building, to enhance their physical development.

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The provision is outstanding

Children behave exceptionally well for their age. The childminder skilfully weaves key messages throughout the day to help children develop an understanding of the rules and boundaries in her home. For example, when playing games, the childminder uses phrases, including 'sharing is caring', to help children understand the importance of taking turns and sharing equipment. Following the childminder's input, children demonstrate these skills when playing the game on their own.

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need to do better?

n The childminder implements her curriculum extremely well to support children's individual learning needs. She is highly skilled in including children of all ages when planning activities. This is illustrated when the children are highly motivated to join in a game the childminder has made based on the story of 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar'. The youngest children engage superbly, joining in with words such as 'pop' and 'strawberry'. Older children patiently take their turn and slot pictures of foods the caterpillar ate into a box. n Children's communication and language skills are central to the childminder's curriculum. She expertly uses singing as part of her everyday practice to promote children's speech and vocabulary development. The childminder is proactive in identifying any possible gaps in children's development, particularly in their speech. She targets this by incorporating opportunities for children to

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need to do better?

speak through her everyday routines and activities. For example, if they go to the local café, children are encouraged to ask for their own order to develop confidence in speaking to others.

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need to do better?

13 August 2024 n Partnerships with other settings that children also attend are exceptional. Over time, the childminder has developed a very strong relationship with staff in the local pre-school where many of the minded children attend. This is evident when the childminder describes how she takes part in 'shared care' meetings with pre- school staff to discuss how they can jointly support children's care and learning. n Children benefit from a highly sequenced, progressive curriculum that supports their independence extremely well. For example, children prepare their own fruit for snack time. Younger children use a wooden tool and, with minimal help from the childminder, are able to cut their banana into manageable pieces. Older children skilfully use a knife or a metal cutter independently, requiring no help at all from the childminder. n The childminder is constantly looking for ways she can improve her service. She

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need to do better?

is an active member of local partnership groups and uses this to identify improvements to her practice. The childminder is currently looking at how she works alongside parents to complete the progress check when children are between the ages of two and three, in order to gather more focused information to support children's learning. n The childminder targets her professional development superbly on supporting children's learning. For example, recent training focusing on children's early writing skills has enhanced the childminder's understanding of this development. The childminder describes activities, such as placing paper underneath the swing, enabling children to make marks as they lie on their tummies and move back and forth. n Partnerships with parents are very strong. The childminder describes how parents are involved from the outset to support the care and learning of their children. Initiatives such as a 'take-home bear' help children to link the

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need to do better?

childminder's home with their own home. Parents speak extremely highly of the service they receive from the childminder. Comments provided for inspection are highly complimentary. They include, 'From our very first visit to meet the childminder, we knew she was the one we would be trusting with our child,' and 'Words cannot explain enough the amount of love and care that the childminder has given my child.'

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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 EY501358 Local authority Darlington Inspection number 10351616 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 1 October 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016 and lives in Darlington. She operates all year round, from 7.45am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She provides funding for two- and 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 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 Children spoke to and communicated with the inspector during the inspection. 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 provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

13 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

13 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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