Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 7 September 2015 24 June 2010

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 The qualified childminder has a good understanding of how children learn and develop. She provides children with interesting and challenging play which covers all areas of learning. She is committed to ensuring all children reach their potential and enjoy themselves at her home.  The childminder accurately assesses children's development and where they need support. She plans a varied range of activities that closely focus on children's individual needs and interests. This helps to successfully motivate children and supports them to move forward in their learning and progress to a good level.  Children learn to communicate and gain useful social skills. The childminder interacts with them in a warm, responsive way. She supports their personal development further as she takes them out into the local community and further afield. Children meet new children and adults and experience different activities.

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This provision is good

 The childminder carries out effective self-evaluation and monitoring of her provision. She is very well motivated in her professional development and keeps up to date with current legislation and good practice. She undertakes training and liaises regularly with other childminders for professional discussions, in order to improve her provision and the outcomes for children.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Children are not consistently provided with opportunities to think of their own ideas and ways of solving problems, in order to develop their thinking skills.

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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

 provide more opportunities for children to solve problems and develop their ideas and thinking.

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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, 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 in questionnaires and letters obtained by the childminder.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The childminder has a thorough awareness of all statutory requirements. She has a good knowledge of child protection and what to do if she is worried about a child in her care. Risk assessments are carried out and the childminder uses equipment in the home and on outings to help to protect children from harm. She uses safety gates to prevent babies having free access to the stairs. She has robust road safety arrangements for walks to school, and children wear high-visibility jackets to help ensure they are seen by motorists.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The quality of teaching is good. The childminder effectively supports children's imaginative play. She develops their mathematical skills as she encourages them to count the small cars they have lined up. She introduces new phrases, such as traffic jam. This gives meaning to what the children are doing and helps to support their language skills and knowledge of the world. Children discuss that a car is broken and that it needs to go to bed. The childminder develops children's play ideas further by discussing breakdown garages. Children explore, sorting and fitting various items and shapes into containers and spaces. They match colours and share their knowledge of the names of shapes. However, they are not always encouraged to take the time to think, identify and then solve problems for themselves. The childminder does not fully extend opportunities for children to develop their thinking skills.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

New babies and children settle very well as the childminder has a calm and caring manner. She works closely with parents during children's flexible settling-in visits. She makes sure she knows about each child's background, likes and interests, and reflects these in activities and routines. Babies and children develop close bonds with the childminder and quickly become confident in her care. The childminder ensures that she sets out her home to support children's individual fascinations. Babies excitedly crawl after balls that roll across the floor. They are absorbed as they watch balls roll down the small slide and enjoy venturing after them. Babies and young children are confident and motivated in their play. They are developing good physical skills and positive attitudes towards a healthy lifestyle.

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Outcomes for children are good

The childminder is committed to providing an integrated approach to children's care and learning. She establishes strong links with parents and other settings children attend, maintaining a two-way flow of information with them. This helps children to benefit from a shared approach to their learning and they make consistently good progress in readiness for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY399518 Local authority Northamptonshire Inspection number 860070 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 14

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 24 June 2010

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2009 and lives in Harpole, Northamptonshire. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant qualification equivalent at level 3.

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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

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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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