Childminder in Durham

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 provides well-planned and enjoyable experiences that are tailored to children's needs. She uses her good knowledge about children's abilities to inform her plans to support their learning. This helps to ensure that all children build on their current skills and knowledge. The childminder plans a nature-based curriculum that centres around real-life experiences and hands-on activities. For example, children enjoy playing in the outdoor role-play kitchen, which is filled with real fruit and vegetables that they have helped to grow. This helps children to develop an understanding of the world and encourages their engagement and curiosity. Children are eager and happy learners.

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The provision is good

Children show trust in the childminder. For example, they snuggle on her lap and enjoy sharing books together. The childminder is vigilant and attentive, which helps her to ensure that children are safe and happy in her care. She recognises the importance of teaching children ways to keep themselves healthy and provides many activities that support this. Children learn important self-care skills, such as washing their hands and brushing their teeth. The childminder models good manners and respect, which helps children to develop positive attitudes. Children follow her consistent guidance and behave well.

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need to do better?

n The childminder fills children's days with enjoyable activities, experiences and outings. Within each of these, the childminder maintains clear aims for children's learning. For example, she uses water play to help children to develop their hand muscles and coordination. The childminder takes children to group activities to help them to develop their social skills and confidence. Her approach helps to ensure that children develop new skills and knowledge across all areas of learning. n Songs and rhymes feature throughout the day. Children choose a toy from a bag that represents a familiar song. They laugh and smile as they dance and join in with the words and actions. This helps to support children's language development and communication skills in an enjoyable way. The childminder encourages babies to experiment with more sounds and learn their first words, while older children build on their vocabulary.

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need to do better?

n The wide range of activities the childminder provides are appealing and exciting to children. This helps to ignite children's interests, and they are keen to join in and play. Occasionally, however, the childminder's enthusiasm to keep children engaged leads to fast-paced activities, and she moves children quickly to the next task. This limits children's opportunities to practise, explore in depth and reflect on their learning. n The childminder quickly identifies children's learning needs through regular and

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need to do better?

20 May 2025 accurate observations of them playing. She shares information with parents and carers and, where appropriate, other professionals to ensure that children receive the best support for their particular needs. This helps all children to make good progress. n There is a strong commitment to continuous reflection and improvement. The childminder has made significant enhancements to her provision, including expanding the outdoor space to enrich children's learning experiences. She has strengthened her understanding of how to teach early mathematics, which has helped to deepen children's understanding of numbers and their value. n Parents say they are 'blown away' by the childminder's dedication. They appreciate the extra support that she provides to help children to reach their learning milestones. For example, parents welcome the childminder's advice and guidance and borrow resources to support their children's learning further at

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need to do better?

home. n Safety is a priority for the childminder. She teaches children to take responsibility and to make choices that protect them, for example, by wearing a helmet when riding the bicycles. She is very mindful of care routines that keep children safe, such as ensuring that they wear sun screen and drink plenty of water in hot weather. n Children are confident to share their feelings, and the childminder helps them to regulate their emotions. She models respect and encourages consideration for others. This contributes to a culture of kindness and consideration. Children develop emotional resilience and form friendships. These important social skills prepare them well for later life.

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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 slow the pace of teaching to allow children plenty of time to reflect, revisit and deepen their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 313699 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10392950 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 11 Date of previous inspection 29 October 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1995 and lives in Lanchester, Durham. 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 childcare qualification at level 3. She provides government funded childcare.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector around the premises and discussed how she ensures that the spaces used for childcare are safe and suitable. She talked about how she organises her provision and discussed her early years foundation stage curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about the leadership and management of her setting. She shared a range of relevant documents to support these discussions. n The inspector spoke to the childminder and the children at appropriate times during the inspection. n Parents shared their views through written feedback.

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Inspection activities

20 May 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

20 May 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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