Childminder in Northumberland

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

The childminder and children spend much of their time out and about in the local area. They visit parks and play areas, places of interest and attend group activities. Overall, the childminder thinks carefully about the skills and knowledge she wants to teach children. She weaves learning into children's experiences. For example, they become familiar with numbers that they see on doors and vehicles. They develop their social skills and listening and attention during story times at playgroups in the community. Children make good progress in their learning and achieve well. Those who may need extra support to develop some skills benefit from the childminder's stronger focus on these aspects of their development.

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The provision is good

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. She has a warm and caring approach that puts them at ease. Children confidently select toys and activities from the range available, which the childminder provides based on their interests and preferences. This contributes to their sense of belonging. The childminder has secure knowledge of children's emotional needs and knows how to soothe them when they become tired or unsettled. Her gentle reminders for positive behaviour help to teach children right from wrong.

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need to do better?

n The childminder helps children to remember their learning. They enjoy looking at photos of previous activities with the childminder and talk about what they did. For example, they talk animatedly about a recent nature walk, recalling the numbers, shapes and sizes of the leaves that they collected. They show good skills in mathematics, for example counting the number of leaves correctly. n Overall, the childminder supports children well to build on what they know and can do. However, she does not always check that children have the physical skills needed for some tasks. For example, during a craft activity, children have not yet developed the fine motor skills and coordination needed to use some tools effectively. n Children show a strong interest in being creative. During such activities, they demonstrate a very good attention span and concentrate well. They spend a long time, for example, painting leaves and fir cones that they have collected.

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need to do better?

They enjoy exploring the textures and colours of the paint when they mix them together. They use their hands, leaves and cones to make prints and patterns. n The childminder involves children in plenty of conversations and discussions. This helps them to learn to say and understand new words. Occasionally, however, the childminder's interactions with children are overwhelming. For example, children become less engaged in their learning when she asks a lot of questions during activities or gives them many options to choose from. n At times, the childminder does not support children's independence and

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need to do better?

15 November 2024 resilience in their learning as well as possible. She carries out tasks for children that they could carry out by themselves, such as adding paint to their brush. She quickly helps children when they find some activities tricky, and does not encourage them to keep trying. n Children benefit from activities and routines that support their good health. They take part in plenty of physical exercise during outings, for example, to play areas and parks. The childminder encourages a healthy diet to meet children's nutritional needs. She teaches children good hygiene habits, such as handwashing. n Partnerships with parents are effective. The childminder gathers information from parents and takes time at the end of each day to give them thorough feedback about children's activities and what they have learned. An effective two-way flow of information helps to ensure a consistent approach to children's

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need to do better?

learning and supports children's ongoing development well. n The childminder is ambitious and keen to build on her own skills. She shares ideas and knowledge with other childminders and conducts her own research on new ways to support children's learning. This contributes to a good capacity to further strengthen her practice and continuously improve outcomes for children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

should:

n ensure that the curriculum for physical development is sequenced effectively, for example by ensuring that children have the prior skills needed for more challenging tasks n strengthen interactions with children to help them to engage even more effectively in their learning n encourage children more consistently to persevere during activities and develop more confidence in what they can do without help.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 405440 Local authority Northumberland Inspection number 10368626 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 12 Date of previous inspection 28 March 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1998 and lives in the New Hartley area of Whitley Bay. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She 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 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 spoke to the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation. n The inspector looked at written feedback from parents and took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

15 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

15 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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