Childminder in Sunderland

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

The childminder has a calm and nurturing approach that helps children feel at ease. She considers children's level of understanding when supporting them to develop positive behaviours. This is particularly effective with children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. She gently encourages them to join in activities while allowing them the time and space they need to feel settled and secure. All children develop trusting relationships with the childminder and demonstrate a strong sense of belonging in her home.

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The provision requires improvement

Although she carries out assessments and identifies next steps for children's learning, the childminder does not use this information well enough to inform her teaching. Consequently, her curriculum is less effective than it could be. This limits the opportunities children have to make better progress. That said, all children enjoy a wide range of activities that generally support their overall learning. They are keen to join in the activities that she plans, and they develop their own ideas during independent play.

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The provision requires improvement

Children benefit from outings that build on their experiences and support aspects of their development. For example, they build strength and develop coordination during soft-play sessions. They develop their social skills in a larger group of children when they attend group play sessions in the community.

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need to do better?

n The childminder does not use what she knows about children's current abilities to focus her teaching. Her plans centre around children's interests or themes. For instance, children who like animals try to free toy creatures from ice cubes, and a finger-painting activity is linked to autumn. However, she does not use these experiences well enough to help children to build on what they know and can do. That said, children do engage and enjoy these experiences. n Support for communication and language development is limited, particularly for children who need extra help in this area of learning. Some strategies to support children's communication have been planned for several months. However, they have not been implemented. The childminder chats with children during play. Overall, this helps them to hear and understand new words. However, children do not consistently receive the support they need to make the best possible

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need to do better?

progress. n Despite weaknesses in the quality of education, the childminder provides a variety of enjoyable play experiences that capture children's interest and generally encourage learning. Activities such as imaginative play and outdoor experiences encourage curiosity and engagement. For example, children mix sand and water in the outdoor role-play kitchen. They enjoy filling and emptying

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need to do better?

15 September 2025 the pans while pretending to cook food. n Children benefit from regular fresh air and exercise, for example when playing in the garden and visiting local parks. The childminder encourages them try to new foods and works closely with parents to ensure children have a nutritious diet. She helps children to develop good hygiene habits, such as washing their hands. These routines support children's good physical health. n The childminder is attentive and responsive to children's care needs. She quickly recognises cues, such as when they are tired or want a drink or snack. She meets these needs promptly and effectively, which helps children to feel safe and well cared for. This supports children's emotional well-being. Children develop confidence and play happily. n Parents value the care children receive. They say the childminder puts their 'minds at ease from the start' and that their children are happy and confident in

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need to do better?

her care. They particularly praise her patience when children's behaviour can present as challenging. The childminders shares information with parents about daily activities, often sending them photos. This helps families to feel involved and reassured about their child's well-being. n The childminder's arrangements to reflect and build on her practice are not fully effective. For example, although she has attended some training, she sometimes does not demonstrate an understanding of the content or use it to inform her practice. The childminder does not swiftly identify and address weaknesses in her teaching. This limits her ability to deliver consistently high-quality learning experiences that help children to make the best possible progress.

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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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Due date

take full account of children's current abilities and plan purposeful activities and experiences that consistently help them to learn more 10/10/2025

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Due date

improve the support for children's developing language and communication skills so that all children are helped to make the best possible progress 10/10/2025

p.3

Due date

15 September 2025 make better use of professional development opportunities to strengthen understanding, skills and knowledge to support the provision of consistently good care and learning for all children. 10/10/2025

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should:

n strengthen the arrangements for evaluating the provision so that any weaknesses in practice are swiftly identified and addressed, leading to continuous improvement.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY548927 Local authority Sunderland Inspection number 10407970 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 22 January 2020

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Sunderland. She operates all year round from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3. She offers government-funded childcare places and receives additional funding for disadvantaged children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the areas of the childminder's home used for childcare. The childminder discussed how she ensures the premises are safe and suitable. n The childminder talked about how she organises her provision and her aims for children's learning. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The childminder provided a selection of relevant documents to support discussions around leadership and management of her provision. n The inspector took account of written feedback from parents.

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Inspection activities

15 September 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

15 September 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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