Lakin-Jones, Janet Katherine

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children are extremely happy, safe and secure at this vibrant setting. The experienced childminder is very calm and caring. She supports children to settle into the setting very quickly. Children introduce themselves and ask visitors to join in their play, showing confidence and self-assurance. The childminder encourages older children to put on their shoes by themselves and cut up their fruit at snack time and choose their own activities. This helps children to develop their independence. They watch closely as the childminder demonstrates how to turn the tap on the water butt. She encourages them to copy her actions. This helps to develop children's fine muscle skills. Children smile as they fill their pans with water and use brushes to paint the fence. The childminder praises children for their achievements. This helps to develop children's self-esteem.

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The provision is good

Children behave very well. The childminder is an excellent role model. She promotes good manners and reminds children of appropriate ways to behave. Older children say 'thank you' and 'you are welcome' without prompting. The childminder provides a wide range of activities to support children's physical development. Children spend quality time in local parks and in the childminder's well-resourced garden. Children enthusiastically propel themselves on scooters and ride-on toys. They explore the mud kitchen, showing good control as they mix mud and leaves with a large spoon and make 'herb soup'.

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need to do better?

n Parent partnership is good. Parents value the service the childminder provides. They feel she is warm and welcoming and offers a flexible service that meets their individual needs. The childminder communicates well with parents, verbally and through online messages. She informs parents of children's daily plans and provides ideas to further support their learning at home. Parents comment that the childminder is 'remarkable'. n The childminder takes children on regular outings to museums and nature reserves, where they learn about nature. For instance, the childminder points out hoverflies and teaches children about bees and lavender. Children have many opportunities to visit local shops and the post office to build on their everyday experiences and meet people in the local community. This helps children to start to understand the wider world they live in. n The childminder supports children's communication skills well. She models

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need to do better?

language in her interactions with children. For instance, the childminder initiates conversations with children on the telephone. She uses open-ended questions and repetition to reinforce new words. The childminder supports children who speak English as an additional language effectively. She takes children to singing sessions to help promote their communication skills.

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need to do better?

6 September 2024 n The enthusiastic childminder is passionate about providing good-quality care and learning experiences. Overall, she has devised a curriculum that is exciting, interesting and follows children's interests. However, sometimes the childminder does not consider the sequence of skills children need to learn before they can move on to a new one. Despite this, all children make good progress from their initial starting points. n The childminder supports children's mathematical development well. She weaves mathematics into all activities. For example, at snack time, children count the fruit on their plates. The childminder challenges children to count and recognise shapes during their play. This helps to develop children's understanding of mathematical concepts. n The childminder supports children to develop healthy and active lifestyles. She promotes good hygiene practices, such as handwashing before eating. The

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need to do better?

childminder provides healthy snacks and fresh drinking water. She works closely with parents to ensure that the lunches they provide for children are healthy and nutritious. Furthermore, the childminder discusses the importance of oral hygiene with parents and children. This helps them to develop an understanding of keeping healthy. n Children demonstrate very good behaviours. For instance, they play together well and share resources. When children need reminders about behaviour, the childminder gently steps in and provides positive reinforcement about what type of behaviour is expected. This helps children to learn about behavioural expectations. n The childminder is reflective about her practice. She engages in focused training courses to broaden her understanding of early years topics. For instance, she has recently attended training to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The childminder works with other professionals well. She

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need to do better?

regularly meets with local childminders to discuss good practice and works well with the local authority to keep her knowledge up to date.

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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 more precisely on children's individual next steps in development to further enhance their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY536528 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10351085 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 8 Date of previous inspection 4 October 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016 and lives in the Willington area of Crook, County Durham. She operates from 8am until 5.30pm on Monday to Thursday, and from 8am until 1.30pm on Friday. The childminder works all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She holds an appropriate qualification at level 4. The childminder provides funded early education 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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n A sample of the childminder's documents were reviewed by the inspector. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their early years curriculum. n The childminder showed the inspector around the premises and discussed how she ensures that they are safe and suitable. n The inspector observed children taking part in activities with the childminder and assessed the impact on children's learning.

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Inspection activities

6 September 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

6 September 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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