Childminder in Durham

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

The childminder continues to breach several aspects of the legal requirements of the early years foundation stage. Despite actions set by Ofsted, and high levels of input from other professionals, there are repeated breaches from previous inspections and visits, including breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements. These breaches continue to have a significant impact on children's learning, development and safety.

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The provision is inadequate

The lack of an effective curriculum means that children do not engage deeply in activities. Experiences are not exciting or challenging for children and they lose interest quickly and move on. For instance, the childminder pours blocks on the carpet for children. She says some shape names and asks children what colours they can see. Some children lack the vocabulary to answer her questions and others do not seem to understand when she discusses shape names and provide a different, unrelated answer. Other children show confusion about which blocks they can play with and become upset when the childminder removes the resources.

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The provision is inadequate

The childminder has successfully made some improvements. She has considered and minimised risks in the indoor environment in areas used by children. Indoor spaces are clean, hygienic and suitable for childcare to take place. The childminder knows how to meet children's individual care needs, such as their dietary requirements. Despite the weaknesses, children demonstrate they feel settled in the childminder's care.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has not taken action to ensure that any assistants that she employs have a secure understanding of the safeguarding policies in the setting. For example, she had not ensured that assistants have the knowledge to recognise signs that may indicate that a child is at risk of abuse or neglect. As employed assistants spend time alone with children, and complete care tasks, this is a cause for concern. In addition, the childminder had not ensured that assistants are aware of the procedures to follow in the event of an allegation being made against the childminder or a household member. This means that safeguarding concerns may not be identified or reported swiftly. n Despite continued regulatory input from Ofsted, the childminder continues to demonstrate a lack of understanding of both the learning and development and safeguarding and welfare requirements. Children do not receive good levels of

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need to do better?

care or high-quality learning opportunities. n The childminder does not ensure that children benefit from high-quality interactions or teaching that focuses on the areas in which they need to learn. For instance, activities she provides are not exciting or interesting. Children

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need to do better?

9 September 2025 begin to show interest in singing and stories, however, the childminder stops part-way through, and they quickly leave the group. Younger children show they are keen to listen to a story, however, the level of language used is too complex and children lose interest again. n The childminder completes the required progress check when children are aged between two and three years. However, she does not use this to identify areas where children need further support and does not understand her responsibility to make referrals to other professionals when needed. Assessments of children's progress are not accurate and demonstrate that the childminder does not have a clear picture of children's overall development. This has a negative impact on the effectiveness of her teaching. n Children who speak English as an additional language (EAL) are not supported to make good progress. The childminder does not focus on supporting them to

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need to do better?

develop their vocabulary in English, despite being aware that they need to develop their spoken English further. This does not help to fully prepare children to start school and impacts on their ability to communicate with others. n The childminder has updated her knowledge and understanding of the correct procedures to follow for a range of child protection and safeguarding concerns about children and families. In addition, she has ensured that the indoor premises, in areas used by children and areas for food preparation, are fit for purpose and suitable for childminding. Children are settled and appear comfortable with the childminder and her assistant.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

There is not an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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Due date

ensure that all members of staff have a comprehensive understanding of safeguarding policies and procedures, including a full understanding of the process to follow in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff 18/09/2025

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Due date

9 September 2025 improve skills and knowledge to ensure the requirements of the early years foundation stage are met and raise the overall quality of the provision to a good standard for children. 18/09/2025

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Due date

improve teaching and the sequence of the curriculum, to ensure that planning is sharply focused on supporting children's development and meets their individual learning needs 30/09/2025

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Due date

ensure that children who speak EAL have sufficient opportunities to develop a good standard of language skills in English 30/09/2025

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Due date

ensure assessments are completed and used effectively, specifically the progress check at age two, to identify areas where children may need further support. 30/09/2025

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2655755 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10409492 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 12 Number of children on roll 18 Date of previous inspection 15 May 2025

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2021 and lives in the Belmont area of Durham. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder closes for two weeks at Christmas. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 6. She works with an assistant.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector held a discussion with the childminder in relation to the leadership and management of the setting. She looked at relevant documentation and discussed the childminder's and her assistants' suitability to work with children. n The childminder provided the inspector with written feedback from parents for the inspection.

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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 September 2025 9 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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