Childminder in Sunderland

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder places an emphasis on children being happy, confident and resilient. She uses music and singing throughout the day as a means of lifting children's mood and helping them to develop their language skills. Children are incredibly happy. They demonstrate this as they give the childminder cuddles or 'high fives'. Parents and carers comment that their children settle quickly. They say the childminder goes above and beyond to understand their children and how she can support them in their learning and in managing their emotions. The childminder teaches children how they can keep themselves safe. For example, children learn quickly to hold the childminder's hand when they are outside.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder's curriculum is extremely detailed and well thought out. She thinks carefully about the skills that children need to learn. The childminder breaks down skills into age-appropriate stages and provides opportunities to reinforce this. For instance, the childminder plans opportunities for children to post pom-poms through slits and holes in boxes to develop their hand muscles to support their independent feeding skills. The childminder has clear rules and expectations, which she consistently reinforces. Children respond quickly when she reminds them to keep their feet on the floor. The childminder is an excellent role model and demonstrates clearly to children how to share, take turns and ask for objects.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a very clear understanding of children's interests and learning needs. She sets up her environment carefully to engage children and extend their learning. For example, the childminder sets up a farm animal scene to incorporate children's fascinations and develop their language skills. This engages children, who quickly explore the animals. n Children develop a love of books and singing. They sit on the childminder's lap and listen to stories. The childminder reads with excellent expression, which enthuses and excites children. Toddlers talk about the illustrations. They laugh as the childminder bursts into songs linked to the story and anticipate what happens next. n The childminder works with parents exceptionally well before children start. She gains a detailed understanding of what children like. The childminder knows things that may soothe or upset them. She uses this information extremely

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need to do better?

effectively as she helps children to settle into her home, and this helps children settle quickly. n The childminder teaches children how they can keep themselves healthy. From a very young age, children learn the importance of washing their hands. Toddlers know that they need to wash hands after blowing their noses or having their nappies changed. They remind others of the importance of this.

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need to do better?

4 April 2025 n Children make excellent progress in their communication. The childminder engages older children in back-and-forth conversations. The childminder's communication for younger children is deliberate and well planned. During the inspection, the childminder focuses on a small number of single words, such as 'chair', 'tiger' and 'crash'. As the morning progresses, children begin to use these words independently. n Children concentrate well for their age. This is evident as toddlers play with blocks, building towers and persevering as the towers fall over. Children add different resources into their play, such as mirrors. They are fascinated as they build towers on the mirror and notice the reflection in the mirror. Children pause each time they add a block to see the reflection changing. n The childminder has an excellent attitude to keeping her knowledge and skills up to date. She identifies training that will benefit the children she cares for. The

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need to do better?

childminder uses podcasts to ensure that her knowledge continues to grow. These have helped the childminder understand how she can help children to take risks in adventurous play. She also reflects on the strategies she can use to talk with children and listen to them to help them make excellent progress. n The childminder works exceptionally well with a range of professionals, such as speech and language therapists or physiotherapists. She acts on advice that they give her to help support all children's development. For example, as children sit at the table, she uses boxes to ensure that children sit in the correct position with their knees at a 90-degree angle and their feet on a firm surface. n The childminder has an excellent relationship with parents. She talks to parents about their children's day and what they have been learning. The childminder uses a range of methods, such as photos, to explain what children are doing and

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need to do better?

how this supports their learning. She works with parents to develop a shared approach to supporting children's development. For example, the childminder discusses the skills that children need to learn to enable them to use the potty. n The childminder teaches children how they can keep themselves safe online. She has clear rules and boundaries regarding this. The childminder uses play to teach children about how to handle various situations online, such as messages from unknown people. This helps children to learn how to deal with potentially harmful situations effectively.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

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

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Setting details

Unique reference number 502876 Local authority Sunderland Inspection number 10392820 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 5 September 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2001 and lives in the Fulwell area of Sunderland. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She provides government funded childcare.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector around her home and explained how she organises her childcare. n The inspector observed children playing and learning and evaluated the impact on children's learning. n The childminder evaluated an activity with the inspector. n The inspector spoke to the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n Parents provided written feedback for the purpose of the inspection. n The childminder showed the inspector a range of documents, including those relating to the suitability of household members. She explained how she keeps children safe.

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Inspection activities

4 April 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

4 April 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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