Childminder EY479190

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

Children are at the heart of this superb setting. The childminder is passionate about her role and provides children with the highest quality care and learning. She is highly attuned to children's individual needs and provides a safe, inviting space where children thrive. Children arrive happy and excited to start their day. They engage in playful interactions with the childminder and their friends and confidently separate from parents.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder places a sharp focus on her rich and varied curriculum. Children's language development is intrinsic to everything that she does. She provides an environment rich in opportunities to develop and extend vocabulary. Children count out the number of scoops to make the containers full and talk about 'shiny conkers' and how the cucumbers at snack time 'crunch and crunch'. There is an exceptionally wide range of books available. Children pretend to read the stories to each other and recognise that a story has a beginning and an end. Every opportunity is taken to support children in developing their next steps in learning.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is exemplary. The childminder has extremely high expectations for children's behaviour, which is demonstrated by the way children behave. They are respectful of each other and show kindness and empathy for their friends. They persevere when things become tricky and demonstrate a 'can-do' attitude to learning.

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need to do better?

n Relationships with parents are exceptional. The childminder involves them in their child's learning from the outset. She gathers detailed information about each child's likes, dislikes, current abilities and areas for development. This ensures that every learning opportunity is meaningful and tailored to individual needs. Parents comment that 'their child is always happy and excited to be there' and that the childminder 'goes above and beyond, setting up new and exciting activities that are thought-provoking and stimulating'. n The childminder is calm and caring and provides an extremely nurturing and welcoming environment where children feel safe and secure. She prioritises children's emotional well-being and helps them to develop high levels of self- esteem. Children cheer each other on and respond to the consistent praise from the childminder when they have done a 'good job'. They learn how to recognise

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need to do better?

and manage their own feelings, and the childminder offers support to help them reach resolutions, including when they find things difficult. n Children are provided with excellent opportunities to enhance their physical development. They confidently tackle the exciting obstacle course. This helps children to negotiate their bodies, pull themselves up, scramble and take

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need to do better?

30 September 2025 calculated risks. Children demonstrate a strong sense of self and are excited and motivated to learn. n Using her expert knowledge, the childminder pays close attention to each child's understanding and adjusts her teaching to meet individual learning needs. A sense of anticipation is created when reading stories. Resources linked to the story are provided for children to hold, and movement is used for children who need to stretch and wriggle. This enhances children's engagement, along with their listening and attention skills. n The excellent and enabling play environment provides children with a warm, cosy, home-from-home setting filled with an abundance of resources and experiences to help children learn. They explore the autumnal display of leaves, conkers and fir cones. Children talk to the childminder about the pumpkins as she skilfully introduces new words and descriptive language. Children make

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need to do better?

comparisons and think about which one is heavy, big, bigger or tiny. Children recognise they need 'two hands' and 'big muscles' to lift them. This offers children excellent early mathematical opportunities as they play, developing their skills to significant levels. n The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to high-quality practice and professional development. She constantly updates her knowledge and has an extremely positive approach to improving her practice. She actively participates in childminder networks, attends local authority training, and accesses webinars to enhance her knowledge. She reflects on everything she learns and is proactive in making changes, which increases the opportunities for children in her care. n The childminder creates an environment where open dialogue is embedded. This enables her to support any assistants in their continuous professional development. n The childminder places huge importance on building strong partnerships and

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need to do better?

working collaboratively with other early years settings and local schools. This ensures there is consistency for children going between providers and transitioning to their next phase of education. n The childminder swiftly identifies when children may require additional support, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Her knowledge of local services is excellent. She knows how to adapt her teaching to offer children experiences that help them 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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Setting details

Unique reference number EY479190 Local authority Stockton-on-Tees Inspection number 10407574 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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Total number of places

Number of children on roll 9 Date of previous inspection 13 January 2020

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2014 and lives in the Norton area of Stockton-on- Tees. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education places for all eligible children. She works with an assistant.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their early years foundation stage curriculum. n The childminder and inspector discussed how the curriculum is implemented and the impact that this has on children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection.

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Inspection activities

30 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

30 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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