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

The childminder offers children a caring and nurturing environment. She knows children very well and immediately responds to their needs. When babies show they want a cuddle, she automatically picks them up and snuggles them in closely. There is a very strong bond between the childminder and children. This is shown in the contentment on babies faces as they relax in her arms. It also demonstrates how safe and secure children feel with the childminder.

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The provision is good

The childminder regularly assesses children's development. She consistently discusses the next steps in children's learning with parents. The childminder knows the skills and abilities children have and those children need to develop. For example, she gives babies who are becoming more confident in pulling themselves upright the space to move across furniture. This gives babies the capacity to practise and extend their range of movements and become confident walkers.

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The provision is good

The childminder teaches children to be polite and have good manners. She says please and thank you as she shares toys with babies. This develops very young children's understanding of having respect and consideration for other people.

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need to do better?

n The childminder knows how to support children's communication and language skills. She talks slowly and clearly, giving children the chance to understand and respond to what she is saying. This gives babies and younger children the opportunity to form their own sounds and words in reply. n The childminder automatically brings numbers and counting into children's play. For example, the childminder counts the individual pretend animals younger children are playing with. She encourages children to look at the animals to see which are the same and which are different. This helps to develop children's mathematical language and early sorting skills. n The childminder has high expectations for all children to achieve to the best of their abilities. She offers babies many engaging opportunities to develop their finger muscles and improve their hand-eye coordination. Babies learn about different textures as they become immersed in folding and squeezing a variety of

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need to do better?

different fabrics. n Children have many opportunities to go out and about in the local environment. They visit local parks where children are able to extend their physical skills as they have space to run and jump. For very young children, learning to move across different surfaces and levels supports their balance and control of their movements. n The childminder enables children to build relationships with a variety of people outside of their immediate social circles. For example, they use local café's

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need to do better?

12 March 2025 where older children are able to choose from the menu and order their own food. Children appreciate being recognised by staff. This builds children's understanding they are respected and valued by other people. n The childminder teaches children the skills they need to keep themselves safe when out-and-about. She teaches children to be aware of cars and to look before crossing the road. The childminder reminds children to stay by her side at all times and to hold onto the pushchair. n Parents speak very highly of the childminder. They are appreciative of the care she provides for their children and that the childminder's home is a safe and welcoming environment. Parents appreciate the information the childminder provides them with of their children's day and the photographs their receive. n The childminder supports children's transitions to her home very well. She works with parents to decide how many initial visits children need prior to beginning

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need to do better?

with her. The childminder gets information from parents about children's development before they start. This helps the childminder to plan for children's learning from the outset. n The childminder does not always ensure children wash their hands before eating. This means children are not fully developing their self-care skills and an understanding of how to keep themselves healthy. n The childminder maintains her statutory training. She ensures her first-aid certificate and safeguarding training are up to date. However, the childminder does not further enhance her professional development. She does not access training to enable her to take children's learning and development to an even higher level.

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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 routine hygiene practices are in place to teach children how to keep themselves healthy n target the plan for professional development to allow children's learning and development to be extended to an even higher level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 301050 Local authority Darlington Inspection number 10380362 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 10 Date of previous inspection 6 June 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2006 and lives in Hurworth, near Darlington. She provides care from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, 7.30am to 9am and 3.30pm to 6pm on a Friday. The childminder holds a relevant qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed with the childminder how she supports children's learning and development. n Interactions between the childminder and children were observed and the inspector evaluated the quality of education being provided. n Evidence of the childminder's suitability and the suitability of all people living on the premises were checked by the inspector. n The inspector looked at policies and documents the childminder uses when caring for children. n Written views of parents were taken into account by the inspector.

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Inspection activities

12 March 2025 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

12 March 2025 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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