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 Outstanding

p.1

The provision is good

Children are very happy with the childminder. She provides a home-from-home environment for children. They settle well. The childminder uses settling-in sessions exceptionally well to get detailed information about children. This helps her to understand and plan for children's interests and learning as soon as they start. Children quickly develop a strong bond with the childminder, which is something parents find very reassuring. Parents say children form a lovely bond with her. They feel that the childminder is loving and nurturing, and children always love to go and see her. The childminder's curriculum is ambitious. She has a very good knowledge of the skills that she wants children to learn over time. For example, she plans a range of opportunities for children to strengthen their large-muscle skills. This supports children's physical development.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder has thought carefully about how she can keep children safe. Her home and garden are safe and secure. She identifies potential hazards in her home, such as the step into the summer house or garden, and teaches children how to access these areas safely. The childminder manages children's behaviour well. She makes good use of a range of strategies, such as distraction, to help children to refocus on something else. She helps children to manage their emotions and uses a range of strategies to help calm them down. The childminder works effectively with parents to develop a shared approach to managing children's behaviour.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder plans her environment based on what children are interested in and what she wants children to learn next. For example, the childminder is currently focusing on the story of 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' to support children's interest in insects. This supports children's engagement and concentration. n The childminder ensures children get plenty of fresh air and exercise that supports their physical health. Children move freely between the indoor and outdoor play spaces. They also access the large green outside the childminder's home and the play park, under the supervision of the childminder. n The childminder uses a range of strategies to support children's communication. She uses books and songs as a way of developing children's communication. She adapts and simplifies her language when talking to younger children and uses repetitive phrases, such as 'ready, steady go'. However, the childminder

p.2

need to do better?

recognises that she does not focus sufficiently on the single words she wants children to learn, particularly for children in the earlier stages of communication. n Children develop a love of books and songs. They beam as they sing 'The Wheels on the Bus'. Children anticipate the actions, for example, winding arms

p.2

need to do better?

28 May 2025 in anticipation of the song. They enjoy sitting on the childminder's knee looking at books and talking about what they can see. From a young age, children start to turn the pages and look at illustrations. n The childminder has a very good relationship with the local school. They share information about where children are in their learning and what they are working on. They work particularly well to develop shared approaches to supporting children's learning and development. However, the childminder has not yet explored how she can develop those relationships with other schools, particularly those that she does not collect children from. n The childminder teaches children how they can keep themselves healthy. She provides a range of healthy meals and snacks. Children enjoy fruit and water. The childminder encourages children to try different fruits and vegetables. She describes how she goes out of her way to support children's different dietary

p.2

need to do better?

requirements and preferences. n The childminder has a very good relationship with parents. She uses a range of methods to communicate. For example, she uses face-to-face communication as well as electronic communication. She shares information about where children are in their learning and what they need to work on next. She works exceptionally well with parents to develop shared approaches to manage children's various developmental stages, such as potty training or sharing toys. n The childminder's professional development is focused on helping children to make the best possible progress. She reflects on messages from training and implements this into her practice. Following recent training, she has reviewed how she manages children's behaviour and what strategies she can use to help children to regulate their emotions.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture towards safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

should:

n plan more effectively to develop younger children's communication skills n find effective ways of working with other settings that children attend, particularly when there is no direct contact with the school.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY332456 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10392485 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection 27 August 2019

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2006 and lives in Witton Gilbert, Durham. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Wednesday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides government funded childcare. She holds an appropriate qualification at level 3.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector around her home and explained how she organises her provision. n The inspector observed the children playing and learning. n The childminder and the inspector evaluated an activity. 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 all household members. n The inspector talked to the children and the childminder at appropriate times during the inspection.

p.4

Inspection activities

28 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

28 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6