Childminder in Stockton-on-Tees

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

Children's safety is not assured due to breaches to statutory requirements. The childminder has not maintained an up-to-date paediatric first-aid qualification. Furthermore, she has failed to inform Ofsted of changes to people living at her home. As a result, the required suitability checks have not been carried out on all household members.

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The provision is inadequate

Despite these areas of concern, children show they are settled and happy in the care of the childminder. They are treated with the utmost respect and kindness. Children benefit from plenty of praise and encouragement. This helps them to grow in confidence as they play and learn. The childminder uses gentle reminders to help children to remember what is expected of them. This helps to ensure that children are polite, helpful and considerate of others.

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The provision is inadequate

Children enjoy a wealth of different opportunities to learn and to develop new skills. They show considerable focus as they create pretend potions in the garden, using a wide range of different resources, such as pipettes and spray bottles. These help to develop children's finger muscles and coordination. Careful questioning from the childminder helps children to explore what happens when they mix different substances together. Older and younger children play together well, as they decide on the magic spells they would like to cast. This promotes their communication and language skills, as well as developing their imaginations.

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need to do better?

n The childminder demonstrates a secure knowledge and understanding of signs that could indicate a child is at risk of harm. She also knows how to report any concerns to relevant agencies. However, children are not fully safeguarded because the childminder has not notified Ofsted of changes to people living on the premises. This means that the required suitability checks have not been carried out. n An administrative oversight has resulted in the childminder not holding a current paediatric first-aid certificate. Although she is able to explain what she would do if required to administer any first aid to children in her care, this failure to complete mandatory training compromises children's safety. n The childminder knows all the children in her care exceptionally well. She spends time standing back and watching them as they play. This helps her to assess and evaluate their stages of development and to plan effectively for their next steps.

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need to do better?

This supports children to make good progress and to be ready for their next stage in learning. n There is a strong focus on developing children's speaking and listening skills. The childminder uses stories, rhymes and songs to introduce children to a rich

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need to do better?

24 April 2025 variety of vocabulary. She gives children plenty of time to formulate responses to her questions. The childminder recognises different strategies to use when working with children who may need additional support with their speech development. n The childminder has established strong links with local schools. There is excellent support for children who are soon to move on to nursery or to school. The childminder helps children to become familiar with daily routines they are likely to encounter. She works with parents to ensure that children can manage their own self-care as independently as possible. n The childminder skilfully incorporates different aspects of learning into children's play. For example, she introduces measuring equipment into an activity. This is because she wants children to explore and develop an understanding of weighing by using balances. She uses a range of cultural events to support

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need to do better?

children to recognise similarities and differences between themselves and others. n Children enjoy the freshly prepared food provided by the childminder. Menus promote children's good health. The childminder explains how mealtimes are an important part of the day, as children sit together and chat. However, children do not always have sufficient opportunities to be involved in setting the table or preparing their snacks. This does not fully promote their independence. n The childminder enriches the curriculum by taking children on regular trips in and around the local community. This includes attending playgroups, where children get used to socialising with larger groups of children. They learn about the world around them as they explore the woods. The childminder provides opportunities for children to develop their physical skills when they visit the park. n Parents and carers greatly value the contribution the childminder makes to their

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need to do better?

children's learning. They comment on the nurturing environment she provides and how much their children enjoy their time in her care. They recognise the progress their children have made and how effectively the childminder communicates with them.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

There is not an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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Due date

24 April 2025 provide Ofsted with the relevant information to carry out required suitability checks on all household members aged over 16 years 16/05/2025

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Due date

maintain a valid paediatric first-aid certificate. 16/05/2025

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should:

n consider how to provide even more opportunities for purposeful learning and development at mealtimes.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY402836 Local authority Stockton-on-Tees Inspection number 10388620 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 5 Date of previous inspection 19 July 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2010 and lives in Thornaby. 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 offers government funded childcare.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about children's learning and development, with a particular focus on communication and language. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they like doing while with the childminder. n The inspector reviewed written feedback provided by parents. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

24 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

24 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

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