Childminder in Hartlepool

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

This outstanding, highly experienced childminder creates an exceptionally nurturing and caring environment for children. She tunes into children's individual needs and children blossom at a rapid rate, including those with special educational needs and/disabilities (SEND). The childminder's focus on supporting children's well- being, confidence and communication and language skills ensures all children make excellent progress from their starting points.

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The provision is outstanding

Children demonstrate they feel very happy and safe in the childminder's care. They clearly adore playing and learning with her. They become deeply absorbed in the play activities she plans. For example, children are incredibly motivated to describe wild animal toys hidden in shaving foam. They help each other guess what the animal might be before they wipe away the foam and giggle uncontrollably when someone gets it wrong and it turns out to be a new animal they are still learning about. Children play and communicate very harmoniously together. They describe the different animal's 'rugged' and 'scaly' skins and learn which animals prefer to live in a 'hot jungle' or a 'cold climate'. They use the flexible resources well as they develop their creative and physical skills safely and independently. For instance, they carefully create a hill out of foam, then take turns to help build a giant mountain.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is exceptional. They gain high levels of independence, resilience and self-esteem. For example, when the inspector arrived, she was warmly welcomed by children who asked about the letters in her name. Children are very articulate and show excellent critical thinking skills, for instance, as they work out why a hedgehog has a 'spiky coat' to 'protect them from predators'. Children show enormous joy as they learn the skills they need for their future move to school.

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need to do better?

n The childminder's early years teaching is inspirational and is littered with excellent references for early literacy and mathematical development. She skilfully adapts her commentary and questions to the age and stage of the child she is speaking with and evaluates if they need to be challenged or to recap on what they have learned. She does all of this in a fun, exciting way with fantastic use of resources, such as persona dolls, puppets and signing. Children are enthralled. This helps them build very successfully on what they already know, especially for children who have any gaps in their learning. n This childminder ensures her ambitious curriculum is precisely planned and organised. Her assessments provide a complete overview of what children can do and what they need to learn next. They are accurate and include regular

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need to do better?

8 October 2024 contributions from parents and other professionals working with the children. Children are excited to learn and their progress is rapid. n The setting is extremely well thought out to maximise children's learning potential. The indoor and outdoor spaces are exciting and stimulating with lots to do and see. For example, children are involved in planting and growing fruit, vegetables and herbs and then cook with the produce. They know how to care for living things. Children learn useful information as budding, sustainable gardeners of the future. For instance, children know that 'marigolds keep the slugs and bugs away'. Children move around the areas with joy, happily describing what they are going to do next for the childminder and their friends to join in. n Partnerships with parents are superb. They describe their children's progress as outstanding and comment on the excellent feedback they are given to help their

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need to do better?

children continue their learning at home. They state the childminder 'has high academic aspirations for the children in her care' and that 'she inspires a love of learning and a sense of curiosity about the world'. Parents receive information packs about early years play and learning and the sequencing children have to go through to learn a new skill. The childminder explains the reasons behind what she does and why and what the impact on their children will be. n Children are learning how to keep safe and healthy exceptionally well. For instance, the childminder talks to them consistently about road safety, oral health and healthy lifestyles. Children learn to following simple instructions and to care and respect others on their many local walks and interesting outings. The childminder's enthusiasm and entertaining manner makes everyday lively, motivating and fun. This helps children develop a wide range of skills that help

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need to do better?

prepare them superbly for their future learning. n The childminder never stops thinking about what she can do to make her service even better. She works extremely hard to maintain her outstanding practice and uses her vast knowledge to extend children's learning. She actively seeks out new training and research. For instance, training in identifying patterns in children's play and the impact on learning, and her work with empathy and persona dolls has rapidly improved outcomes in children's physical, social and communication skills.

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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 EY539290 Local authority Hartlepool Borough Inspection number 10357612 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 11 Date of previous inspection 13 December 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder was registered in 2016 and lives in the Seaton Carew area of Hartlepool, Cleveland. She operates all year round from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She is registered to work with an assistant. The childminder offers the government-funded places for childcare.

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Inspection activities

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 early years foundation stage curriculum. n The inspector spoke to children, to find out about their time at the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided 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. n The inspector viewed parents' written feedback and took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

8 October 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

8 October 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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