Childminder 2799147

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

This childminder provides a homely and nurturing environment, where children are supported in all areas of their development through caring interactions. As a result of the strong bonds the childminder establishes with children, she understands their needs and responds appropriately when they need support. For example, when children have small disputes regarding sharing toys, the childminder gently supports them to develop turn-taking strategies and help them to understand appropriate behavioural expectations. This supports children in developing key social skills, equipping them well for the transition to school.

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The provision is good

The childminder promotes an ambitious curriculum, overall. For instance, when preparing to go outside, all children, including the very youngest, are actively encouraged to independently put on their own shoes. She provides encouragement and praise, and this supports children's sense of pride and achievement in their own skills.

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The provision is good

The childminder works with assistants to support children's care and learning. This is a relatively new staff team. The childminder provides effective support to ensure that her staff understand their roles and responsibilities, including the aims of the curriculum. Ongoing evaluation and feedback help the team to further develop their knowledge and skills. Their interactions with children positively support learning and development and prepare children for the next stage in their education.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is extremely passionate about the provision she provides. This positive attitude is mirrored in the happy and relaxed manner in which children play and explore in the setting. Children pronounce, 'I'm not shy,' and chat to the childminder about their favourite cakes when discussing plans to hold a summer party. The cheerful atmosphere encourages children to develop friendships and social skills. n The childminder uses stories, songs and rhymes to support children's early literacy skills. Babies and children enjoy exploring a wide range of stimulating books and show high levels of focus and engagement. They contently explore the pages and practise book-handling skills. The childminder encourages children to combine their listening abilities with physical skills by providing opportunities to join in with the actions in the 'Sleeping Bunnies' song. Children giggle with joy as they practise hopping with their friends.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is tuned in to the needs of all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). She ensures that these children are included in all aspects of the provision and she provides a consistent approach in supporting their next steps. For example, the childminder ensures

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need to do better?

9 July 2025 that all staff are supported to speak slowly and clearly to children, when needed, and model key vocabulary. n At times, the childminder does not utilise a wide enough range of communication strategies, and this limits how well children can express their thoughts and feelings. For example, there is sometimes greater reliance on asking questions requiring single-word responses, and children are not given long enough to think and respond to questions. n The childminder is clear about the aims and ambitions for her curriculum. She implements a range of experiences and activities to support children's knowledge and skills across all areas of learning. That being said, when the childminder is engaged with children in their play, her questioning and guidance is sometimes too generalised. She does not always pay close enough regard to supporting their individual next steps. This means that children are not always

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need to do better?

making as much individual progress as they may be capable of. n Parents speak highly of the provision that this childminder provides. They particularly praise the way their children have been supported to settle into the setting and to develop their self-confidence. Parents also say the setting has supported their children to develop key personal development skills, such as toilet training and taking naps. The childminder highly values the positive parental relationships she has established, and these are supportive in ensuring consistency of care for children. n The childminder is highly reflective and continues to evaluate the quality of the provision she provides. This means that the quality of the setting has evolved and improved over time. The childminder identifies ongoing continuous professional development opportunities that will benefit herself and the staff team. She is committed to providing a high standard of care and education.

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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 build on communication strategies to support children to express their thoughts and ideas with greater independence n focus teaching with greater precision, in order provide the right level of challenge to extend children's learning even further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2799147 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10404120 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 10 Number of children on roll 15 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2024 and lives in Ferryhill, County Durham. She works with three assistants and operates all year round, from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides government-funded places for childcare and receives specific funding for disadvantaged children.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures that they are safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises her early years provision, including the aims and rationale for her early years foundation stage curriculum. n The children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about how she supports children with SEND. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this is having on the children's learning. n The inspector and the childminder carried out a joint observation. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on

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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

9 July 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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