Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 14 July 2015 5 April 2011

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is good

 Children are settled and content with the childminder because she has a calm, sensitive and caring approach to their care. This promotes children's emotional development and they feel happy and secure.  This experienced childminder is knowledgeable about how children learn. She provides children with interesting and challenging play that covers all areas of learning. As a result, children are progressing well and developing the skills needed for their future learning and their move on to school.  Partnerships with parents are very good. As a result, information about children's care and learning is shared frequently, supporting children's development at the childminder's provision and at home.  The childminder positively involves children in the daily routines of the provision. She values their choices and encourages children to try to do things by themselves before offering assistance. As a result, children's individual needs are well catered for, they are

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This provision is good

happy and their independence and self-confidence is fostered well.  Children are effectively safeguarded as the childminder has a strong knowledge of child protection and has effective policies to support her practice. Good attention is given to keeping the premises safe and secure and positive steps are taken to minimise risks to children.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder has not fully developed self-evaluation to utilise the views of parents in driving improvements in the setting.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 extend the opportunities for parents to become involved in the evaluation process, so their views can be considered when improving the service further.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector viewed the areas used for childminding. She talked to the children and childminder at appropriate times throughout the inspection and observed a variety of activities.  The inspector looked at evidence of the suitability and qualifications of the childminder as well as a selection of policies and procedures, including safeguarding. The inspector discussed risk assessments and the childminder's self-evaluation process.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder. She discussed children's learning and development and sampled their records and looked at the planning documentation.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day and by reading a number of their comments on letters obtained by the childminder.

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who attend. This is good

The quality of teaching is good. The childminder promotes good learning outcomes for children, through responsive support for their interests. She encourages children's natural curiosity to learn. They use their physical and creative skills to explore a wide range of paints, various art tools and sensory items, such as, dry pasta, lentils and noodles. The childminder assists children's exploration as she demonstrates techniques and provides additional support and equipment. The childminder's enthusiasm and willingness to join in makes learning fun and interesting. She uses probing questions to support and encourage children to engage in conversations and to ignite their thinking further. Young children delight in having a pretend picnic with the childminder. They decide that they have run out of items. Children travel across the childminder's garden using ride-on vehicles saying they are going shopping and discuss items, such as cucumber and cheese, that they need

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who attend. This is good

to buy. Subsequently, young children are inquisitive and motivated in their play and sustain engagement in learning activities for continued periods of time.

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good

The childminder and her assistant offer children lots of opportunities to learn about the natural world. They grow their own produce and the childminder provides a range of healthy and nutritious snacks and home-made meals. Children relish being a part of this and their independence is promoted very well. They prepare their own snacks and regularly enjoy cooking items with the childminder. Children have very good opportunities for physical exercise and benefit from being active in the fresh air. They have daily access to outdoor play in the childminder's good sized garden. Additionally, they have regular exploration out into the childminder's farm to feed the animals and walk in the fields. As a result, children are developing a good understanding of the world in which they live and very positive attitudes towards a healthy lifestyle.

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provision is good

The childminder has a comprehensive awareness of the welfare and learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She effectively supervises and monitors the practice of her assistant to maintain the good standards in her provision. Overall, the childminder has a good understanding of her priorities for development and has positively addressed the recommendations raised at the previous inspection. She has implemented an effective system to accurately track children's progress, identify their learning priorities and plan for the next stages in their development. The childminder undertakes professional reading and mandatory training to keep her knowledge updated. She implements this new knowledge well into practice and ensures that changes are made promptly. As a consequence, the childminder demonstrates a commitment to continuously improving her setting. However, she has not recently encouraged parents to offer their

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provision is good

views and suggestions about all aspects of the care and learning provided to widen the scope for improvements that will benefit children over time.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 220525 Local authority Northamptonshire Inspection number 864239 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 13

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 5 April 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1995 and lives in the village of Weston, near Towcester, Northamptonshire. She occasionally works with an assistant. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays.

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Telephone number

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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Telephone number

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

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Telephone number

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Telephone number

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

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