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

Children enjoy their time with the childminder. Children greet the childminder with enthusiasm when they come out of nursery. Younger children are keen to explore the range of toys. They demonstrate how confident they are in the environment as they ask the childminder for various resources, such as play dough. Parents comment that children always look forward to going to the childminder. They say that the care she provides feels like an extension to their own family. The childminder's home is safe and well maintained. The childminder reminds children of the various rules that she uses to keep them safe. This is evident when children play in the summer house and the childminder reminds children that the door needs to stay open to prevent them jamming their fingers.

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The provision is good

The childminder's curriculum is ambitious. She ensures that older children have a range of skills and knowledge in preparation for starting school. The childminder manages children's behaviour well. She has clear expectations, which children know and follow. For example, children clear the small table in preparation for snack. The childminder uses a range of techniques, such as distraction and challenges, to encourage children to follow her expectations. For example, she encourages them to pick up the toys on the floor before she does.

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need to do better?

n The childminder takes time to help children to understand how their behaviour impacts on others. During the inspection, when children throw, she explains how it might hurt another child. n The childminder teaches children how they can keep themselves safe. For example, children know when they are crossing the road that they need to wait for the green man. Older children know that they must hold onto the pushchair. Younger children begin to learn how to use a knife safely to butter their crackers or bread. n The childminder makes good use of opportunities to support children's mathematical development. For example, as children play, she models counting. She talks about colours and shapes in the environment. Children make very good progress in this area. Older children recognise numbers and shapes, and younger children count with numbers in order. n Children enjoy the range of activities that the childminder provides. However, the

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need to do better?

childminder does not consistently consider the most effective ways to support and challenge younger children's learning. Sometimes, children are distracted by the toys that are available. On a small number of occasions, some activities do not support children's stage of development. This impacts on children's concentration. n The childminder supports children's communication and language development

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need to do better?

16 May 2025 well. She talks to children as they play together. Good questioning helps children to express their thoughts and ideas. She talks to children about events in their own life to support children's language further. n The childminder has a very good relationship with children. Children enjoy cuddles with the childminder as they play with the dolls. They laugh and giggle as the childminder applies suntan lotion and tickles them. n The childminder knows where children are in their learning and what she wants them to learn next. She plans her environment to provide activities to support children's learning across the whole curriculum. n The childminder has a good relationship with parents. She talks to them about what their children enjoy doing. She shares information about children's learning and how they can help at home. Parents comment that she keeps them informed about their progress and what they need to learn next.

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need to do better?

n The childminder attends a range of training. However, the childminder recognises that this is not yet sufficiently focused on improving her own knowledge and skills or how she can help children to make even more progress in their learning. n The childminder has a good relationship with the local school. She shares detailed information about children's learning when they first start school or nursery. The childminder attends a range of events in school. This helps children to become familiar with the school and teachers before they start. She gathers information about what children are learning. Teachers in school value the ongoing collaboration to support children's well-being and development. n The childminder helps children to develop healthy lifestyles. For example, children walk to and from school. They learn to wash their hands after using the toilet or before eating.

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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 find more effective strategies to support and challenge younger children to help them make even more progress n focus professional development more specifically on raising children's achievement to a higher level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY284353 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10260020 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 7 Date of previous inspection 17 September 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2004 and lives in the South Hetton area of County Durham. She operates all year round from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. The childminder provides government funded childcare places.

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Inspection activities

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 The childminder evaluated an activity with the inspector. n Parents provided wirtten feedback for the purpose of the inspection. n The inspector talked to the children and the childminder at appropriate times during the inspection. n The childminder showed the inspector a range of documents, including those relating to her suitability.

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Inspection activities

16 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

16 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

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

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