Gouch, Dawn

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder is exceptionally calm and supportive. She creates a loving environment, where children are cared for in a home-from-home environment. Parents and carers say children are exceptionally well cared for and she cares for each child as an individual. Children are incredibly happy in the childminder's care. They demonstrate this as they laugh and giggle as they dance with the childminder. Parents say the childminder is incredibly nurturing and they feel very lucky that she is a part of their children's early years. The childminder teaches children how to keep themselves safe. For example, she shows them how to use knives to cut oranges and reminds them about precautions they need to take with hammers. Children are highly skilled at using tools safely and with control.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder's curriculum is highly ambitious. She weaves learning into every activity she provides. For instance, as children use their physical skills to fish for toy ducks, they talk about the numbers on the ducks. Other children persevere as they learn how to use syringes. The childminder helps children to make excellent progress. She manages children's behaviour extremely well. The childminder has clear expectations, which children consistently follow. For example, children go straight to the sink to wash their hands and sit at the table. They tidy their toys away before they move on to another activity.

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need to do better?

n The childminder provides a wealth of meaningful experiences to help children to learn about different cultures and customs. For example, children learn about Nigerian cultures and customs as the childminder prepares for a family wedding. She shares pictures of traditional dress. The childminder uses Nigerian cookbooks and children enjoy cooking and trying different foods, such as orange and lemon biscuits. n The childminder strives to provide children with a range of experiences that they would not normally get. For example, children thoroughly enjoy playing in the childminder's garden. They learn how different plants attract butterflies or bees. The childminder teaches children how to grow a range of fruit and vegetables. Children have a huge sense of belonging as they plan the plants they want next year and grow them from seeds. n The childminder has thought very carefully about the methods and practices that

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need to do better?

she uses to support children. This has been influenced by research into various approaches to education, including those in Scandinavia. She explores how these methods work in her setting and uses what works for her. Her detailed research has had a very positive impact on children's learning. Children are calm, curious and resilient. n The childminder's curriculum is exceptionally well sequenced. She understands

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need to do better?

18 July 2025 the stages children go through as they develop their skills. For example, the childminder plans opportunities for children to develop their counting skills as they find fruit hidden in ice. She plans a wealth of opportunities for children to develop their knowledge of nursery rhymes, understanding the impact this has on their future learning and literacy skills. n The childminder plans highly motivational activities. For example, she reads the book 'Kitchen Disco', which provides a stimulus for further learning. The childminder uses activities, such as making fresh orange juice or getting frozen fruit out of the ice, to motivate children to persevere as they learn new skills. n The childminder reminds children to share their toys with friends. She models how to ask for things and reminds children that their friends need a turn too. The childminder uses praise effectively, when children do share. When minor

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need to do better?

disputes do occur, she uses distraction extremely well and children very quickly settle and refocus. n The childminder teaches children how they can keep themselves healthy. Children have an excellent knowledge of healthy foods. This is evident when they plan and prepare healthy snacks, such as iced lollipops with natural yoghurt and crushed strawberries. Children know that they need to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. n The childminder has an excellent relationship with parents. She makes time at the beginning and end of the day to find out how children have been at home or to share information about their children's day. The childminder talks to parents about their children's learning. Children often take a book or toy home that they have enjoyed in the childminder's home to share with their parents. This helps to support children's learning further.

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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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Setting details

Unique reference number 311704 Local authority Gateshead Inspection number 10398778 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 8 November 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1997 and lives in Crawcrook, Gateshead. She operates all year round, from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. She provides government funded childcare.

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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 talked to the inspector and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The childminder evaluated an activity with the inspector. n Parents provided written feedback for the purpose of the inspection. n The inspector observed children playing and learning. n The childminder showed the inspector a range of documents, including those relating to the suitability of all household members.

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Inspection activities

18 July 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

18 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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