Oliver, Gemma

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 build strong bonds with the childminder, who is kind and caring. The childminder gets to know children and their families very well. She spends time with parents to find out about children's routines and care needs, as well as their interests and experiences at home. She knows children well and plans activities to nurture their interests and inspire their learning. Activities are child-centred and the childminder has a playful attitude, which the children love.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are keen learners. They display high levels of concentration as they explore the resources on offer. Snack time is a social time for children. The childminder uses this opportunity to promote independence as she encourages children to cut up the bananas and to hold cutlery correctly. Children learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, they know that they have to hold the banister when walking down the stairs. Children go on trips to the park and local library, where they meet new children and people and develop confidence in new social situations.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder speaks with a supportive and gentle voice. She celebrates children's achievements and models how to treat others with kindness and respect. As a result, children behave very well.

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need to do better?

n The childminder places great emphasis on providing children with a calm, relaxing and warm environment. In turn, this helps to create a sense of security and well-being that enables children to feel calm and relaxed, and to explore and investigate with confidence. The childminder provides children with a range of resources that are thoughtfully chosen to extend their learning. n Children display a strong interest in books. The childminder reads to them throughout the day. She introduces a range of vocabulary to describe the characters in the story. She consistently responds to what children say and engages them in conversation, sensitively modelling how to pronounce words correctly. n The childminder introduces children to early mathematical concepts. They benefit from many daily opportunities that support their development of counting and their recognition of shapes. For example, children sing songs,

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need to do better?

make representations of shapes and listen to the childminder's frequent counting. n Children relish the time they spend outdoors. The childminder takes advantage of the local parks. Children benefit from opportunities to play in the inviting garden, where they pretend to make mud soup by mixing together leaves, twigs and slices of orange. The childminder views this as an important part of the

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need to do better?

10 December 2024 curriculum. This helps children to stay healthy and learn about the outside environment. Children develop their fine motor skills to help them build their muscles in preparation for early writing. They hold crayons with a firm grip and use paintbrushes to make marks on the garden fence. n Children develop good independence skills. From a young age, they have opportunities to do things for themselves, such as putting on their outdoor boots. The childminder is attentive to children's individual needs and personal care. She encourages children to wash their hands before eating. However, the childminder is not always consistent in following her usually good hygiene practices when wiping children's noses and during nappy changing routines. n Children demonstrate that they are happy and secure in the childminder's care. They seek her out to proudly show her their achievements and have her join

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need to do better?

their play. Children develop a caring, affectionate approach towards others. For instance, older children are eager to help their peers, for example passing them their toothbrush and taking the lid off the toothpaste for them. n The childminder undertakes training that is targeted at improving her knowledge and how she can use this to benefit the children in her care. She continually reflects on what she can do to improve her practice. As a result, children make good progress. n Partnerships with parents are strong. The childminder speaks with parents daily and shares termly updates about their children's learning and development. This helps parents to support and extend their children's learning at home. Feedback from parents is very positive. They comment on the childminder's 'professionalism' and 'nurturing nature' and her flexibility with children's daily routines to complement their experiences at home.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

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

p.3

should:

n follow good hygiene practices consistently to help prevent any possible cross- contamination.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY400194 Local authority Hartlepool Borough Inspection number 10368422 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4 Date of previous inspection 20 March 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2009 and lives in Hartlepool. She holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. The childminder operates all year round from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder offers government funded places for childcare.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector carried out a discussion with the childminder on how the curriculum is delivered. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. She spoke with the children during the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint evaluation with the childminder. n The inspector held a meeting with the childminder. She looked at relevant documentation. n The inspector took account of parents' views through their written feedback.

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Inspection activities

10 December 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

10 December 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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