Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision requires improvement

The childminder is caring towards the children and this helps them to feel safe and secure in her care. Children routinely go to the childminder for hugs and cuddles. They concentrate well on activities that interest them and make choices from the selection of toys the childminder provides for them. Children are happy and show a keen interest in initiating their own play. For example, they enjoy building tracks for the trains. Children are keen to show their favourite trains to visitors and tell them what the train is called. However, the childminder does not always support younger children to build on their existing skills during play. Her knowledge of what children need to learn next is not always fully clear.

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The provision requires improvement

Children behave well and demonstrate a positive attitude to their learning. They are beginning to show concern and understanding towards their peers as they play cooperatively together. When children have minor fallouts, they are quick to say sorry and offer reassurance to their friends. Younger children are starting to share and take turns in their play. For example, when one child shows a preference for a particular car, the other child is happy to share this with them, telling them, 'you can have my yellow car'.

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need to do better?

n Children are confident talkers and concentrate well on activities that interest them. The childminder talks to the children about what they are doing. For example, children role play being doctors and the childminder names the instruments they are playing with, such as 'stethoscope'. This supports children to build on their vocabulary and develop their language skills. n The childminder observes children and monitors their progress. However, she does not always assess this information accurately. This means that children's next steps in learning are not always precisely identified to help them make the best possible progress. n The childminder takes children out each week to visit different toddler groups. This provides a valuable opportunity for them to interact with other children and take part in different activities. These visits support children to gain an understanding of the wider community in which they live. Parents comment

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need to do better?

positively on how these activities have helped their children to build on their social skills. n Children are active and inquisitive learners. They enjoy taking part in creative activities that the childminder plans for them. For example, younger children use their hands and sponge rollers to make marks using paint. However, the childminder does not make the best use of her interactions to enhance children's learning experiences and maintain their engagement. She misses opportunities to support children to share their thoughts and help them to develop new ideas.

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need to do better?

6 January 2020 As a result, children lose focus and become disengaged. n The childminder promotes children's awareness of developing healthy eating habits. She works with parents to ensure that they provide children with nutritious snacks and healthy lunches. The childminder encourages children to adopt good hygiene routines, such as washing their hands before eating. She has a kind and calm approach with the children. She understands the importance of promoting good behaviour and supports children to learn good manners. For example, children say 'please' and 'thank you' routinely. n The childminder networks with other childminders in the local area. For example, they meet up regularly to share activity ideas. The childminder keeps up to date with mandatory training, such as first aid and safeguarding. However, she has not undertaken any additional training since her last inspection. This does not support her continued professional development to ensure she provides

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need to do better?

consistently high-quality learning experiences. n The childminder establishes close relationships with parents and encourages a two-way flow of communication. She keeps parents informed of their children's progress. The childminder shares regular feedback with them about the activities their children have enjoyed taking part in. Written feedback from parents compliments the care the childminder provides for their children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a secure understanding of child protection matters and wider safeguarding issues. She is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. The childminder knows how to recognise if children are at risk of being exposed to extreme views or behaviour. She has a good knowledge of the procedures to record and report any concerns to the relevant agencies. The childminder keeps her home clean and well maintained. She ensures it is safe for children to play. For example, she uses safety gates to prevent younger children from climbing the stairs unsupervised.

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should:

n improve the quality of interactions with children to encourage them to share their thoughts and ideas, and extend their learning experiences further n use information gained from observations of children's learning more effectively to assess what they know, understand and can do, to support their continued learning n establish a more effective programme of professional development to improve knowledge and skills and raise the overall quality of teaching and practice to a consistently good standard.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 220594 Local authority Northamptonshire Inspection number 10072597 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder Age range of children 1 to 5 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4 Date of previous inspection 14 March 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1990 and lives in Brackley, Northamptonshire. The childminder operates all year round from 7.45am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, except bank holidays and family holidays.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector completed a tour of the premises with the childminder and discussed how she organises her setting. n The inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the childminder and spoke to children during the inspection. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder and looked at relevant documents. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views from written statements provided for the inspection.

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Inspection activities

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

6 January 2020 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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