Childminder in Darlington

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

This childminder provides a cosy, home-from-home setting, where children thrive in confidence. She shows genuine love and care for each child and, as a result, children are extremely happy and relaxed while in her care.

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The provision is good

The childminder uses an aspirational curriculum to ensure children are well equipped for the transition to school, when the time comes. She has a particular focus on helping children to develop social and life skills and does this through frequent trips and visits in the local area. For instance, regular trips to the library give children the opportunity to develop independence and expand their own interests when selecting books. They develop confidence in new social situations as they interact with the librarian to scan their books.

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The provision is good

The childminder is careful to teach children the positive behaviours she expects in her setting. Where children need assistance, for example, with sharing and turn taking, the childminder gives an appropriate level of support. This includes occasionally allowing children the time and space to work through disagreements independently and solve their own conflicts peacefully. As a result, children show high levels of respect for one another and have established very successful play skills.

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need to do better?

n Parents are happy with the setting. They say their children's communication skills develop well as a result of the support the childminder provides. They also appreciate her regular communication and her ability to help settle the children when they arrive. n Stories, songs and rhymes are a key feature of the curriculum and the childminder uses these effectively to help children with their developing language skills. The childminder also models language very skilfully. As a result, children learn to become confident and articulate communicators who can use new language in their play. For example, when playing in the garden together, children announce that they are 'driving to the aquarium'. n The childminder uses the seasons as a basis for her curriculum. Children are taken on walks to observe the changing seasons and to collect items, which they discuss and explore. This supports children's knowledge and understanding of

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need to do better?

the world. n Although the childminder aims to cover the different areas of learning through all the activities and experiences she provides for the children, there are times where she does not expand enough on what children know and understand. This means that, occasionally, children do not receive the right level of challenge to build their skills and knowledge well during their play. The childminder has

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need to do better?

17 September 2024 recognised this and has enrolled on a training course to support her practice in this area. n The childminder manages her setting well. She ensures that she collects key information about children's starting points and shares children's progress with their families as time progresses. This supports all caregivers to understand the priorities for children's next steps in their learning. She is keen to provide high- quality care and education and reflects on her practice, undertaking further training where needed. n The childminder is a role model for kindness and consideration towards others. The children learn by observing these behaviours and exhibit these same traits towards each other. For instance, older children discuss that, after a walk, they did not bring small conkers back to the setting because they are too small for the very youngest children to play with safely. n The childminder generates high levels of positivity in the setting and frequently

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need to do better?

praises children. Children enjoy the praise they receive and this helps to build their confidence further. However, sometimes, the childminder is not specific about what skill or behaviour she is praising. At these times, children are less clear about what it is they have done well. n Children are taught skills in personal care, such as washing their hands before mealtimes. The childminder also encourages children to take an active role in preparing their own healthy meals, such as vegetable soup. This helps encourage children to try a range of flavours and textures.

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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 precisely so that children receive the right level of challenge to extend their learning even further n develop further the high-quality support for behaviour to help children better understand what it is they are doing well when they receive praise.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY366396 Local authority Darlington Inspection number 10354502 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 5 Date of previous inspection 21 November 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2008. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder has a childcare qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education for three-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure they are 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 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 and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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Inspection activities

17 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

17 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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