Robson, Helen

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 very settled in the home-from-home environment provided by this childminder. The childminder is a positive role model. She teaches children how to interact with each other with kindness and respect. As a result, children play together harmoniously. Older children are caring towards the younger children. For instance, when they notice babies grizzling, they find them the particular toys they enjoy playing with. With gentle reminders from the childminder, children lower the volume of their play when they know babies are sleeping. This supports children's developing social skills and prepares them well for the transition to school.

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The provision is good

The childminder has planned her ambitious curriculum to cover a broad range of knowledge and skills. She considers each child's particular interests and developmental next steps when planning for their learning, and she ensures that the learning environment reflects the needs of the children who attend. The childminder provides children with a wide range of varied experiences outside of the home. This supports children with key knowledge, helping to prepare them for their future experiences of the world around them.

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The provision is good

There is a particular focus on developing children's personal care skills and independence in this setting. Children demonstrate the skills they are learning as they put on their outdoor clothes with a little help and encouragement from the childminder. Children develop confidence and express their satisfaction at completing these tasks, such as by excitedly shouting, 'I did it!' when they have finished getting dressed for outdoor play.

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need to do better?

n The childminder takes care to understand the unique needs and family context of all children who attend. She uses this information to plan an individualised curriculum with a clear focus on closing gaps children have in their prior experiences and understanding of the world. n The childminder takes an active role in engaging parents in their child's early education. For instance, she provides guidance around developing home routines and high-quality play and interactions. As a result, parents benefit from an increased understanding of how to support their child's learning and development at home. Parents speak very highly of the support and care this childminder provides. They say their children are very happy here and are making good progress, particularly in their language and social skills. n Children demonstrate positive behaviours in this setting. The childminder teaches children to use good manners and models using phrases such as 'please'

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need to do better?

and 'thank you'. When children have persevered and concentrated on a task, such as sorting autumnal objects into categories, she provides praise. For

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need to do better?

5 November 2024 example, she says, 'Well done, you have organised them very nicely!' This supports children in feeling proud of their accomplishments and encourages these positive behaviour traits further. n The childminder is adept at engaging with children in their self-led play and skilfully provides a range of language to support their developing vocabulary. Children learn and remember these new words, using them in their conversations throughout the day. For instance, when crunching leaves in their hands, children are able to describe them as 'crunchy and squidgy'. n The childminder also plans for adult-initiated activities and encourages children of all ages to join in. While children are typically interested and engaged, at times, the childminder is not focused clearly enough on what it is she intends children to learn. During these times, for some children, activities lack challenge. n The childminder puts consistent personal care routines in place and actively

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need to do better?

teaches children self-care skills, such as using the toilet, blowing noses and washing hands before mealtimes. She teaches children how to use tools to safely chop and prepare fruit for their dessert. Children show great pride as they complete these tasks with high levels of independence. This supports children to learn how to take care of their bodies, including eating a range of healthy foods. n The childminder ensures that children are given plenty of opportunities aimed at developing their physical skills. This includes making use of local parks and playing in her garden. However, she has not considered carefully enough how to build up children's physical skills sequentially, based on what they already know and can do, especially when playing in the garden. For example, the youngest children are not able to access all the activities offered without high levels of assistance. Older children do not persevere for long periods when undertaking

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need to do better?

the activities provided for them. This limits the progress children make in their physical development.

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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 ensure when planning adult-initiated activities, there is a clear focus on what children are intended to learn n ensure the planned curriculum enables all children to develop their physical skills effectively over time, particularly when learning outdoors.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY239857 Local authority Darlington Inspection number 10364234 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 14 Date of previous inspection 31 January 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2004 and lives in Darlington. She operates all year round, from 7am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. The provider 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 that 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 early years foundation stage curriculum. n Children 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 inspector carried out joint observations of a group activity with the childminder. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

5 November 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

5 November 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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