Childminder in Durham

Inspection date: 31 July 2024 - 28 August 2024

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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 are very happy in the care of this dedicated childminder who is passionate about providing children with high-quality learning experiences. She is keen for children to be exploratory learners, and this underpins her curriculum. The childminder encourages children to explore things for themselves. She provides opportunities for children to find solutions to everyday problems. For example, she encourages them to try to do things independently before they ask for help. The childminder teaches children about the environment, and her outdoor area focuses on scientific exploration and discovery. This is evident as children use the laboratory station to make potions with plants, compost and water.

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The provision is good

Children learn how to keep themselves safe. The childminder teaches them how to identify hazards for themselves. Young children manage the step up to the garden confidently. The childminder has high expectations for children's behaviour. She reminds children of her routines and expectations. Parents comment on how well behaved the children are. The childminder talks to parents about how she manages behaviour. This helps to ensure that there are shared approaches to supporting children's behaviour at home and with the childminder.

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need to do better?

n Children are very happy in the childminder's care. They build up a very good relationship with the childminder and her family. This is evident as babies play with the childminder's children and follow them around the house. They are particularly engaged as they watch her children play with the trains and vary the speed the trains are going. They laugh and giggle as they speed them up or slow them down. n The childminder knows what children are interested in and plans her environment to support these interests. She notices patterns in children's play and provides equipment for children to explore their fascinations further. For example, she provides bags and baskets for children to transfer toys around the house. This supports children to become highly engaged in their learning. n The childminder teaches children how they can keep themselves healthy. For example, they walk to and from school and enjoy plenty of fresh air and

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need to do better?

exercise. The childminder usually teaches children about the importance of washing their hands, particularly before eating or after using the toilet. However, she does not make the best use of all opportunities to teach children of the importance of this. n The childminder knows what she wants children to learn and plans opportunities to develop learning further. For instance, she plans opportunities to help babies to grasp things and develop control of their bodies. Children thoroughly enjoy 'banging' on ice and grasping this.

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need to do better?

31 July 2024 n The childminder supports children's communication exceptionally well. For example, she uses single words to extend babies vocabulary. She provides opportunities for older children to think and express their own thoughts and ideas. She helps babies and toddlers to practise articulating sounds, such as 'mmm'. This helps children to make very good progress in their communication. n The childminder has a very good relationship with parents. She uses a range of methods to communicate with them. Parents comment that they feel well informed, and they love to see what their children are learning. The childminder gets detailed information in the morning about how children have been. This allows her to adapt her day if necessary to cater for children's needs, such as giving them an early sleep. n The childminder has focused and clear plans for improvement. For example, as a secondary school teacher, she is aware that there are gaps in her knowledge of

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need to do better?

the early years foundation stage. She has taken steps to develop her knowledge through an accredited professional development programme. The childminder has used this to reflect on her own provision and understand how she can promote children's development through play. She targets her professional development to support children's learning further. n The childminder has a good relationship with the local schools. She works effectively with teachers in school to develop effective strategies to support children's communication and language. The childminder is aware that she now needs to develop this relationship with the nursery to enable her to establish a shared approach to supporting children's learning and development. n The inspection started on 31 July 2024. Inspectors returned on 28 August 2024 to gather additional evidence in line with 'Ofsted inspections and visits: deferring, pausing and gathering additional evidence' policy.

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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 make better use of all opportunities to teach children about the importance of handwashing n find effective methods of sharing information with local nurseries to establish a shared approach to supporting children's care and learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2681287 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10357619 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 13 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2022. She lives in Browney, Durham. The childminder operates all year round, all week except for bank holidays and family holidays. Operating times are from 7.45am to 5.15pm. The childminder provides funded places for three-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The childminder showed the inspector around her home and explained how she organises her provision. n The inspector observed children playing and learning. n Parents provided written and verbal feedback for the purpose of the inspection. n The childminder evaluated an activity with the inspector. n The inspector talked to the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The childminder showed the inspector a range of documents, including those realting to her suitability as well as members of her household. n The childminder talked about how she keeps children safe.

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Inspection activities

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

31 July 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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