Kean, Sophie

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 are happy and content in this childminder's home. They are confident, move around their surroundings with ease and make decisions about their own play. Children learn how to cut their banana safely at snack time and negotiate the step into the garden. Children have positive relationships with the childminder and often snuggle up close to her for comfort.

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The provision is good

Children are keen to take part in activities with enthusiasm and excitement. They use their imaginative skills well as they pretend to go on an aeroplane trip to Africa to see lions. They pretend to fly through the clouds and bump down to land. They further explore their imagination as they play with toy lions and roar loudly.

p.2

The provision is good

Children behave well and are very eager to learn and try new experiences. They relish playing in the water and making potions. Young children use their small muscles while learning how to use a pipette and scoop up water with containers. They scream with delight as the water spurts out. Older children describe their potions as they stir lemons, oranges and petals together. Children investigate how to make different colours using water and food colouring. They use jugs to pour water into different size containers and estimate how many spoons of water it will take to fill their pot.

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need to do better?

n The childminder understands her curriculum and plans activities to extend children's learning and follow their interests. She is ambitious and reflects on her practice. The childminder is proactive and keeps her knowledge up to date. She attends various online training courses to help widen her understanding of how children learn. For example, she has recently found out about schemas. This helps her to consider how children learn, for example, when children transport toys around the room or put water into sand to extend their play. n Overall, the childminder supports children's communication and language skills well. She makes eye contact and repeats words, such as 'octopus', for young children to copy. She explains words, like 'scuba-diver', to develop older children's understanding. However, at times, she asks older children too many questions. As a result, they do not have enough time to listen to the question,

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need to do better?

think for themselves or to respond. n The childminder develops children's early literacy skills to help their future learning. Young children show a keen interest in books. They turn the pages and point to things of interest in the story. Older children listen and concentrate as the childminder reads. They show delight as they find out about different wild animals and describe their characteristics. In addition, the childminder takes children to the library so they can look at a different range of books and increase

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need to do better?

10 August 2021 their enjoyment. n Partnership with parents is effective. Parents state that they are happy with the care and education their child receives. They know about their child's learning and say communication is good. The childminder talks to parents daily. She ensures they know their child's next steps so that they can support children's learning at home. The childminder sends parents photographs so they can see what their child is doing while in her care. n The childminder has a positive approach to teaching children how to behave. She gives meaningful praise, which helps boost their confidence and self- esteem. Children play well together. They share and take turns. For example, older children wait patiently to use the tools while playing in the sand. n Children eat healthy foods and drink water. The childminder supports them to develop their independence skills. She encourages children to do things for

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need to do better?

themselves in readiness for their eventual move to school. For example, children put on their own shoes, wash their hands and tidy their toys away. n The childminder finds out about the experiences the children have at home. She provides new experiences to help children enhance their learning. For example, she takes children on trips to the sea life centre to widen their understanding of how fish live. Children also enjoy walks in the countryside to help them learn about nature.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder understands her responsibilities to keep children safe from harm. She knows the referral procedure if she were to have concerns about a child's welfare. The childminder understands the steps to take if an allegation is made against herself or a household member. She demonstrates a good knowledge of other safeguarding issues, including female genital mutilation and peer-on-peer abuse. The childminder completes regular safeguarding training to ensure she is up to date with her safeguarding knowledge. The childminder carries out thorough checks to make sure that the areas of her home the children access are safe. She holds a current first-aid certificate and knows how to deal with emergencies. The childminder conducts regular fire drills.

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should:

n review the way questions are used so that older children have enough time to respond to the questions successfully at their own pace.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY556631 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10175251 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2018 and lives in Kingthrope, Northamptonshire. She holds an early years qualification at level 3. The childminder operates all year round from 7.45am to 6pm, Monday to Friday , except for bank holidays, the week at Christmas and family holidays.

p.4

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 her evaluation of the provider. n The inspector completed a learning walk of the childminder's provision and discussed how the childminder organises and implements her curriculum. The inspector considered the quality of education during activities and the impact this had on children's learning. n The childminder took part in a joint observation with the inspector. n The inspector spoke with the childminder and the children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. She observed interactions between the childminder and the children and considered the impact these have on children's learning. n Parents spoke to the inspector on the telephone about the childminder's provision and the service they receive. The inspector took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder explained to the inspector about the training she has completed and how she evaluates her practice. n The inspector reviewed relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of the childminder and household members.

p.5

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

10 August 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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