Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 11 August 2015 18 December 2009

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Outstanding 1 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is outstanding

 Secure, caring attachments are evident between the children and the childminder, who knows children's individual needs extremely well. Consequently, children are independent and active learners, exhibiting high levels of self-esteem and confidence.  Children make rapid progress in their learning and development because of the effective way the childminder assesses their progress. She places a very strong focus on children's individual learning needs and uses her extensive skills in observation, assessment and planning to ensure all children achieve extremely well.  Teaching is inspirational. The childminder has an excellent understanding of how children learn. She uses a rich and varied range of inspiring teaching strategies to extend children's learning very appropriately.  The childminder sets out her home with a varied range of stimulating resources and inspirational activities. These are well organised and presented across two playrooms

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This provision is outstanding

and the patio outside, maximising the available space and encouraging children to choose things for themselves. This enables children to follow their interests and develop a curiosity that supports their future learning.  The childminder forges excellent relationships with parents and carers from the moment children start. She recognises and values their contributions, so they can work in unison to fully support children's welfare, learning and development.  Children's safety and well-being are highly prioritised. Stringent safety measures and the highly comprehensive safeguarding practices ensure that children feel safe and are secure.  The childminder is highly motivated and fully committed to her work. She has an outstanding knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She implements exceptionally comprehensive systems to ensure that all documentation and aspects of her provision reflect current legislation and high-quality practice.

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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

 enhance children's understanding of the natural world as they further explore planting and growing items outdoors, thereby learning to care for living things and gain an awareness of growth and changes over time.

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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. She 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 by reading a number of their comments on letters obtained by the childminder.

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who attend. This is outstanding

Children relish the individual attention they receive and stay close to the childminder who encourages playfulness and engages children very positively in conversation. She skilfully follows the children's lead in their play, which encourages their natural curiosity to learn. Children make pretend meals with the sand. The childminder plays imaginatively with the children, listening closely to what children say. Children animatedly talk about the soup and sausages they are making for their family. The childminder asks probing questions to encourage children to think and talk further about their creations. This motivates children to talk about their preferences and family characteristics. In this way, they make links in their experiences as they are encouraged to share their understanding and recall past events. Children thoroughly enjoy story times. They listen animatedly and repeat familiar refrains. Even the youngest children show an excellent understanding as they imitate the

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who attend. This is outstanding

childminder's gruff troll voice with a growl. Interactive singing sessions very positively support children to be fully involved. Children copy the actions and words role modelled by the childminder and their language skills are promoted very well. Consequently, all children are making rapid progress in their readiness for school, including those whose needs or circumstances require particularly perceptive intervention and additional support.

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outstanding

Independence and self-care skills are exceptionally well supported. The childminder encourages even the youngest children, age appropriately, to try to do things by themselves before offering assistance. They relish collecting and putting on their shoes and sun hats in readiness to go outside. As a result, children are confident, happy and their independence and self-confidence is fostered exceptionally well. The childminder places high importance on supporting children to have a healthy lifestyle and they enjoy regular trips out to the local woodland and nearby parks. Her garden is well managed and organised and children are provided with a wealth of activities and equipment outside. However, there is still some scope to further enhance and extend children's enthusiasm for growing things and caring for their natural habitat.

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provision is outstanding

The childminder is highly dedicated and keeps her knowledge updated by attending a variety of training courses. She has also undertaken a relevant early years qualification since the last inspection. The childminder is reflective in her approach and ensures that ongoing quality improvements are identified and addressed swiftly. She has developed her risk assessment process extensively to ensure the recommendation from her previous inspection has been fully met. Additionally, she very effectively monitors and supervises the practice of her assistant. As a result, she has a strong capacity to further improve this already outstanding setting.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 221047 Local authority Northamptonshire Inspection number 854565 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 10

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 18 December 2009

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2000 and lives in Northampton. She occasionally works with an assistant. She operates all year round from 7.15am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays. The childminder currently provides funding for three- and four- year-old children. She has a relevant qualification at level 4.

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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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