Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children benefit from an exciting learning environment. There are many opportunities to be creative. Children have access to a large garden, several rooms in the childminder's home and a log cabin. Older children greet younger children when they arrive. Children's manners are exemplary. They reply with 'please' and 'thank you' without being prompted when the childminder asks them what they would like for breakfast.

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The provision is good

Children are safe and secure. They are confident to introduce each other to visitors to the setting. This is because there are high expectations for their social skills. Children are encouraged to resolve minor disagreements with their friends. They are supported sensitively by the childminder to think about how their friends might be feeling. Older children are keen to help younger children. They carefully show friends how to take a small pinch of barley to add to crates to feed wooden animals. Children recall their experience of visiting a local farm.

p.2

The provision is good

Children benefit from home-cooked food. They talk about healthy and unhealthy food. This means children learn about living a healthy lifestyle. Children enjoy activities that are planned from their interests. For example, children show an interest in adding herbs in the mud kitchen. Later, they see if they can spot different herbs in other areas of the garden.

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need to do better?

n The childminder knows children very well. As a result, she is aware of the experiences children have at home. Children are keen to find out about growing plants. For example, children visit the childminder's 'Growing Garden'. They use scissors to cut spinach leaves. Children observe changes to the tomato plants they have grown. They talk about plants having roots to grow. They know plants need sunlight and water. Later, children eat the spinach they have grown for their lunch. n Children access a large secure outdoor area. They spend sustained periods of time moving wooden planks onto tree stumps and trying to balance. However, sometimes, the childminder steps in too quickly to tell the children the plank is not secure. This means opportunities are missed for children to take managed risks. n Older children help younger children to put numbers in order to 10. They help them count the numbers and praise them when they succeed. Later, children

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need to do better?

use natural objects such as shells to count. They sing songs excitedly, such as 'Five little monkeys' with their friends. Children develop good counting skills as there are many opportunities for them to practise. n Parents are very positive about the setting. They say they would recommend the

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need to do better?

15 June 2021 childminder to other parents. Parents know what children need to learn next and how they can support them at home. They feel the childminder communicates well with them to meet the needs of their children. Messages between school and home are always passed on. For children with allergies, parents feel reassured the childminder has clear procedures in place to prevent cross- contamination. n Many high-quality interactions take place between the childminder and children. She asks challenging questions to further their knowledge and understanding. For example, when children make potions in the mud kitchen, she asks them what the next step is. She gives children time to think and consider their responses. There is a good balance of adult-led and independent play. However, sometimes, children are not as independent as they could be with self-help skills, such as washing their hands and putting their own belongings away.

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need to do better?

n The childminder develops children's love of reading. They have access to a range of exciting books linked to their learning. For example, in the garden children take an interest in looking at books with photographs of different flowers and plants. They learn the names of new plants and talk about how they grow. n The childminder has accessed a wide range of training since she registered. She knows what she has done well and what she would like to continue to work on. She has considered the impact of training on her practice. For example, she has adapted the way she uses assessment to plan activities that support children in their next stage of learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a secure understanding of safeguarding. She knows who to report any concerns to. The childminder ensures her assistant's knowledge is secure. She checks his understanding of key issues regularly. The childminder and her assistant have daily conversations about children's behaviour and well-being. They respond to any concerns about children's welfare and act quickly. When dropping older children off at school in the morning, they wear hi-visibility vests so they can be seen easily. The childminder closely supervises children when crossing roads to ensure they are kept safe.

p.3

should:

n enhance opportunities for children to take managed risks n develop children's self-help skills during routine times, such as washing hands for snack and tidy-up time.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY553104 Local authority North Northamptonshire Inspection number 10174327 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 11 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Broughton, Northamptonshire. She opens during term time on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 7.30am to 6pm and on Friday from 8am to 8.45am. The childminder works with an assistant from 3pm to 6pm. An optional school holiday provision is available on request. She provides funded early education for three- year old and four- year old children. The childminder has an appropriate qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and inspector discussed how activities are planned and organised. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff. n The inspector observed the childminder carrying out an activity with the children. n The inspector spoke to one parent during the inspection and took account of their views. Written feedback was also viewed and considered.

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Inspection activities

15 June 2021 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

15 June 2021 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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