Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 13/01/2015 10/10/2008

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 2 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 2

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This provision is good

 The childminder is confident in her teaching. As a result, children engage in purposeful activities, enjoy their learning and make good progress in their development.  Partnerships with parents and other providers are well-established. As a result, information is shared well to promote children's continuity of care and learning.  Children quickly form close bonds and warm relationships with the childminder and her family. As a result, children are happy and content in her care, which successfully promotes their emotional well-being.  The childminder has a clear understanding of how to safeguard children. She has a secure knowledge of the possible indicators of abuse and knows how to respond if she has concerns.  The childminder is committed to continuous improvement to ensure outcomes for children are fully promoted.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The childminder provides fewer opportunities for older and more able children to explore a varied range of physical outdoor activities within her setting.

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Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are:  scheduled at least once in every inspection cycle – the current cycle ends on 31 July

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Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  scheduled at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children engage in free choice play and discussed these observations with the childminder.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's assessment records and planning and tracking documentation.  The inspector checked all the areas of the premises used by the children.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of suitability of the childminder and her household and talked with the childminder about self-evaluation and improvement plans.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the written views of parents and carers from letters received by the childminder.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2008 and is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and two children in a house in Kettering, Northamptonshire. The whole of the ground floor, a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor and the rear garden are used for childminding. The family has two dogs, a guinea pig and other small creatures as pets. The childminder attends a toddler group and activities at the local library. She visits the shops and park on a regular basis. The childminder takes children to and collects children from Hawthorn Primary School and Pre-School. There are currently 10 children on roll, of whom three are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays.

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 provide more challenging play experiences in the secure and safe outside area for the older and more able children, so that their physical outdoor interests are more regularly met.

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who attend

The childminder has a good understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The standard of teaching is good with a balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities, which are challenging and stimulating for children. Children are motivated learners, who confidently lead their own learning. The childminder effectively uses her observations of children's interests to provide a stimulating learning environment indoors. This is less evident outdoors for older, more able children. The childminder is aware of this and endeavours to make use of local play areas, although this is not always frequent enough to fully enhance children's physical activity. Children's learning and development is closely monitored and the next steps in their learning are clearly identified and fed into plans for further activities. Consequently, the childminder consistently challenges children's individual learning needs. Children make good progress

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who attend

and parents are kept well-informed of how they can support children's learning at home. A wide range of information is collected from parents about children's individual needs at the start of an arrangement to ensure that appropriate activities are planned for them.

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who attend

The childminder skilfully questions children as they play, encouraging them to think. For example, as children sort out the pieces of jigsaw puzzle, the childminder talks to them about their size and shape. Communication and language development is supported by the childminder as she carefully listens to the children and engages them in discussion throughout their activities. She sits on the floor with them, gives them lots of eye contact and repeats words back to them. Children have good opportunities to write for a purpose. They are encouraged to make cards for parents and friends and are beginning to clearly write their own names. This provides relevant and meaningful opportunities for children to develop their early writing skills and support their preparation for going to school. Good use is made of local community facilities to help children learn about the world they live in. For example, the childminder carefully selects appropriate community groups to help

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who attend

develop children's social skills. Children's literacy is promoted well because the childminder takes children to the local library for rhyme-time activities and has a good selection of books available for them at her home. Children enjoy joining in with their favourite stories and they and the childminder use different voices for the characters, which helps them to develop concentration and a love of reading.

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who attend

The childminder develops children's interests in the local environment, through regular visits to local parks to explore the natural world around them. The childminder also uses children's interests to develop their awareness of number names and numerals. For example, they are encouraged to count the number of pieces they fit into a jigsaw. Parents comment that they are very happy with the progress their children make in their learning and development. The childminder uses daily diaries and an in-depth daily exchange of verbal information about their child's experiences on a daily basis. She also keeps parents and other providers informed about children's progress through regular sharing of their individual learning journals. The childminder completes progress checks for children between the ages of two and three years and shares these with parents. This means any areas of learning where children might not be meeting their expected targets

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who attend

can be identified and early intervention sought to ensure additional learning needs are addressed.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children are very happy and settled in the childminder's care. She encourages children's participation through effective use of praise, boosting their self-esteem. As a result, children respond well to her warm and affectionate approach. The childminder recognises the individuality of children and knows them well. She interacts skilfully with young children and inspires their curiosity by showing and demonstrating toys and imaginative play scenarios. Her playful interactions inspire them to explore her home freely, play cooperatively and use their imaginations as they play. Therefore, children are keen to share their ideas through their talk, gestures and sounds.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

The childminder provides consistent routines and boundaries so that children learn about acceptable behaviour. She is a good role model for children, treating them with respect and modelling good manners. During visits in the local community, the childminder teaches children about road safety so they develop an awareness of potential dangers and learn how to stay safe. Children play in a child-friendly, safe environment, with age- appropriate toys and resources that support their overall well-being and care. The childminder organises her home to encourage children to become increasingly independent. For example, young children are encouraged to help put toys away as the childminder gives them lots of encouragement and time to do so. These skills prepare children well for the next stage in their learning.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children follow good hygiene routines and the childminder is a positive role model. As a result, children know that they need to wash their hands before eating their apple slices at snack time. The childminder provides a good range of healthy snacks and meals. She teaches children about the benefits of a healthy diet through books, discussions and baking activities. Children have ample opportunities to be outdoors, be active and spend time in the fresh air. They enjoy playing in the childminder's garden, where they have fun drawing with the chalks on the paving stones, water painting the fences and exploring in the sand and water trays. When time and numbers of children allow, she takes children to the park where they can learn to take safe risks as they climb, balance and use larger apparatus. There is scope to increase these opportunities to effectively promote older, more able children's good physical development even further and strengthen their

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

understanding of the importance of exercise and leading a healthy lifestyle.

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provision

The childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibilities to safeguard children. She has a secure knowledge of child protection procedures. For example, the childminder knows the possible indicators of abuse and the procedure to follow should she have concerns about a child in her care. In addition, parents and visitors to her home are advised not to use their mobile phone or camera when minded children are present. The childminder holds a paediatric first-aid qualification enabling her to provide emergency treatment in the event of an accident.

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provision

The childminder effectively carries out risk assessments, including for all outings. This ensures that potential hazards are identified and minimised, so that children are kept safe. The childminder has a good understanding of her strengths and areas to develop, and carefully reflects on her practice. She also involves parents in this process, using their views to reflect on and consider how she can change and improve to meet the needs of their children. She has positively addressed the recommendations made at her last inspection. For example, she now has all relevant written consents from parents and she has established strong working partnerships with her local school and pre-school. This demonstrates the childminder's commitment to continuous improvement. The childminder has a good understanding of how children learn and effectively monitors their progress through tracking systems. Children benefit from a well-resourced environment, where they

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provision

can make choices and develop ideas. The childminder effectively extends and enhances children's learning through her well-considered interactions. Therefore, children make good progress.

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provision

Partnerships with parents are very well established. They receive copies of the childminder's policies at the start of children's care, which means that they are well- informed about how she works. Written comments from parents are very complimentary about the childminding service. The childminder also has a good understanding of working in partnership with other providers when children begin attending pre-school or Reception class, in order to complement their learning and balance the experiences they receive.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are Met The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are Met

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. We re-inspect nurseries and pre-schools judged as requires improvement within 12 months of the date of inspection. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement action. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or

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Grade Judgement Description

is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. Met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

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Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted 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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Setting details

Unique reference number EY366621 Local authority Northamptonshire Inspection number 857798 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 10

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

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Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

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Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises, which are usually the childminder’s own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. 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 Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, 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,

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Type of provision

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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