Childminder in West 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, including those who have had absences due to the COVID-19 pandemic, are happy and well settled in the childminder's home. Children enjoy spending time with the childminder and their friends. For instance, they snuggle close to the childminder when they need a cuddle and they excitedly join their friends to play a simple game. Children, even the youngest, negotiate space and move around confidently in this child-friendly environment.

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The provision is good

Children make good progress and have a positive attitude towards learning. They are keen to join in with planned activities. They also often make their own choices about where they play. Children enjoy exploring stories and are developing a love of books. The childminder teaches children how to handle the books that they share together. For example, children are encouraged to choose books, to share the stories in them, and to turn the pages and lift the flaps with care. They are encouraged to share and take turns.

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The provision is good

Routines are a familiar part of children's day. For example, children eagerly tidy away drawing materials in readiness for snack time, they know how to wash their hands and how to sit at the table. Older children confidently manage self-care skills, such as blowing their own nose, while younger children are supported to begin to learn how to dress themselves. For instance, during a nappy change, the childminder talks to a two-year-old about how to put her tights back on and encourages her to try to put her feet back into them.

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need to do better?

n The childminder finds out about children's experiences at home and uses this to broaden their knowledge. For example, she uses books to help children learn about animals, including farm animals and pets at home. They explore the differences and similarities between animals and find out the sounds each animal makes. She encourages a discussion between children about their new cat at home and asks another about the chickens they visit at grandma's house. She recognises this as an opportunity for children to learn from each other. n The childminder promotes the use of language very well. She actively encourages children to discuss their play. This helps them to problem-solve. For example, when a brick tower topples over, she asks the children why it fell and encourages them to rebuild it. She models new vocabulary for children and listens carefully to the words they use and how they use them. When a four-

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need to do better?

year-old suggests the tower needs a sturdy base, she asks what sturdy means and works to demonstrate this in their play. Later, she uses the word sturdy again when exploring character names in a book. This helps children to make connections and secure their understanding.

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need to do better?

6 December 2021 n Children have opportunities to play together cooperatively. The childminder encourages the use of manners, sharing and being considerate of one another. For example, four-year-olds are reminded to give crawling babies space to move. Four-year-olds have their drawing activity protected at the table, which babies cannot access. However, sometimes, older children forget these expectations; this means they are not always respectful of others. n Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the childminder and children visited a range of local groups, where children could meet with others of their own age. The childminder recognises that visiting local groups is important for children's social development. She encourages children to learn about the people around them as they venture into the local community for a daily walk and play. They meet and greet familiar people and learn about their local surroundings. For example,

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need to do better?

they often walk on the Brampton Valley Way, stopping to see sheep and watch trains. This also supports children's physical development. n The childminder has positive relationships with parents. She communicates important information with them when children are dropped off and collected. The childminder ensures that parents are involved in planning for their children. She does this through discussion using her observations of children's development. n The childminder has accessed a range of training since she registered. She has considered the impact of training on her practice. For example, she has adapted her planning to be more child-centred, enabling her to build on what children already know and can do.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder is committed to keeping the children in her care safe. She has good safeguarding knowledge. The childminder knows how to identify the signs of abuse and neglect, and understands wider safeguarding issues, such as grooming and online safety. She knows the process to follow should an allegation be made against herself or anyone in the household. There are suitable policies in place, including relevant local agency details should the childminder need to contact them. The childminder has hygiene measures in place to ensure the health and safety of children attending. This helps to ensure that children's needs and well- being are protected.

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should:

n support all children to develop respectful relationships with one another.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY550184 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10174132 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 5 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Northampton. She operates all year round from 8am until 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays, family holidays and Christmas week. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. The childminder provides funded nursery education.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The childminder and the inspector had a learning walk and discussed how the curriculum supports children's learning. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector carried out a joint evaluation of an activity with the childminder. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder. She reviewed a sample of documentation and evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household.

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Inspection activities

6 December 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

6 December 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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