Childminder in Gateshead

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children thrive in the care of this childminder. Parents comment that the childminder provides a loving and nurturing setting. Children are very happy. Younger children demonstrate this as they sit on the childminder's knee for cuddles. Older children seek out the childminder when they are playing with the ball. Parents comment that their children love going to the childminder. They say that their children run in to greet her. The childminder places a high priority on children's safety. She supervises children well, especially when they move from the kitchen to the garden. Parents appreciate the well-thought-out safety procedures, such as procedures for the collection of children.

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The provision is good

The childminder's curriculum is well thought out to support children's learning. She has thought carefully about the order in which children develop their skills. For example, she plans a range of activities to help children to develop their small- and large-muscle skills. Children thoroughly enjoy painting with water outside or using tweezers to pick up plastic insects. This helps to support their emerging early writing skills. Children behave well. The childminder has clear expectations, which she consistently reinforces. Children respond well when the childminder asks them to tidy up the playroom. They treat the toys and games with respect.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a clear vision for how she wants children to learn. This is based on recent research and training to help her understand how to support children's learning. For example, she has reorganised her playroom to allow children's play to flow from one area to another. n Children enjoy a range of stimulating activities, and these support their concentration. For example, children thoroughly enjoy painting with water on the walls outside. They paint circles and lines with increasing control. Two-year-old children focus on painting the individual bricks. They watch as it dries, and then return to paint the brick again. n The childminder and any assistants she employs support children's play and learning effectively overall. This is evident when the childminder helps children recall a recent visit to a butterfly park and encourages them to use the play dough to recreate some of the butterflies they saw. However, on a small number

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need to do better?

of occasions, the childminder does not provide consistently high levels of support and challenge to younger children. n The childminder places a high priority on supporting children's communication and language. She engages children in back-and-forth conversation and expands children's communication. The childminder uses books and singing throughout the day to help enhance children's vocabulary. She plans additional activities to reinforce stories and vocabulary further. Children thoroughly enjoy the story 'The

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need to do better?

10 April 2025 Very Hungry Caterpillar'. They talk confidently about the story and explain what a 'cocoon' is. n The childminder helps children to develop healthy lifestyles. They spend a lot of time outdoors as they play in the garden. They enjoy a range of healthy meals and snacks, including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. However, the childminder does not consistently teach children how good hygiene practices, such as handwashing, contribute to their good health. n The childminder responds to children's individual care needs. When children show signs of being hungry, she gives them an earlier lunch. She adapts her routines for sleep as necessary. For example, she brings children's sleep time forward towards the end of the week when they are more tired. n The childminder has good procedures in place for the recruitment of any assistants she employs. The childminder ensures that any assistants are suitable

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need to do better?

to work with children. She provides ongoing support to ensure that they develop their knowledge and skills further. n The childminder is committed to her own professional development. Since registering, the childminder has focused on increasing her understanding of the early years foundation stage curriculum and helping children to make good progress. For example, she provides a range of open-ended resources so that children can express their own thoughts and ideas. The childminder has clear plans for further development to enhance her skills further. n The childminder has a very good relationship with parents. She shares a variety of information with parents, including information about their children's day and any achievements. The childminder gives parents a range of information about her curriculum, such as half termly newsletters, and gives them suggestions about how they can help their children at home. For example, she has shared

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need to do better?

strategies for supporting children's independence at home. This supports children to make good progress.

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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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should:

n provide consistently high levels of support and challenge to younger children n help children to understand how good hygiene procedures contribute to children's good health.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2721308 Local authority Gateshead Inspection number 10392855 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 12 Number of children on roll 12 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2023 and lives in Crawcrook, Gateshead. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, term-time only, Monday to Friday. The childminder holds qualified teacher status. She works with an assistant. 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 curriculum. n The inspector observed children playing and learning. n The childminder observed an activity with the inspector. n The inspector talked to the childminder, her assistant and the 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 those living or working on the premises. She explained how she keeps children safe.

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Inspection activities

10 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

10 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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