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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children are confident to approach the childminder and assistant to ask about the activities they are going to do. Relationships between the children, the childminder and the assistant are positive, and this helps to build children's self-esteem and their feelings of safety and well-being. Children laugh with the childminder during stories, and they are excited to prepare for a painting activity. Children say they want to put on the 'duck' suits to cover their clothing and they jump up and down saying, 'Quack, quack.' Children listen as the childminder explains how they are going to paint a Christmas tree by making handprints. Children are eager to take part and explore the texture of the paint as they put their hands in the shallow tray.

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The provision is good

Children respond to the high expectations the childminder has for their learning. She encourages children to try new things and to challenge themselves. During a colour-mixing activity, children concentrate as they swirl food colouring around and comment about how the colours are changing as they mix. Children show that they are familiar with the daily routines as they go to wash their hands after the painting activity. Children are busy; they remain engaged and sustain their interest in the activities. This interest and engagement in their play contribute to children's behaviour being good.

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need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, the childminder has continued to reflect on and improve her practice. She has refined her planning to ensure she focuses on each child individually, which helps her to be more efficient in identifying their next steps in learning. She supports her assistants to complete training to help them understand how to recognise and manage any child protection concerns. She coaches assistants to help them learn how to promote children's learning through positive interactions as they play together. n The childminder demonstrates her ambition for the curriculum she provides for children, and she ensures her planning of activities widens each child's experiences. For example, she has identified that some children have fewer opportunities than their peers to develop their large physical skills and to learn about the natural world. The childminder takes children to local country parks where they can use large play equipment to help develop their confidence to

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need to do better?

climb and balance. Children also learn about nature as they watch the ducks and other birds from the bird hides in the country parks. n Children benefit from the encouraging interactions from the childminder and the assistant. The childminder and assistant sing nursery rhymes and talk to children to help them think about what is happening in the pictures as they read stories. They ensure that each child taking part can have their turn to speak. However,

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need to do better?

6 December 2021 sometimes the childminder does not use opportunities that arise during play to include more descriptive words to extend children's developing vocabulary. n Children are eager to have a go at all the activities and are confident to explore different textures during messy play. The childminder wants children to be independent and have the skills they need to be ready for school when the time comes. She encourages children to choose what they want to do and to put their own coats and shoes on when they are going outside. However, occasionally the childminder does things for children that they could try to do for themselves to promote their developing independence further. n The childminder shows respect and care to individual children. She effectively supports children who speak English as an additional language, and she values their home language. The childminder works closely with parents from when

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need to do better?

children start attending. She encourages parents to share information from home to help her meet the child's needs, and she gives parents ideas for how they can continue their child's learning at home. n Children play very well together and show clear friendships with others. They listen to one another and enjoy playing together and learning from each other. For example, when they get ready for the painting activity by dressing up in the 'duck' suits, one child copies their friend as she jumps up and down flapping her arms like wings. The childminder and assistant help children to share and take turns, giving gentle and clear reminders when needed. Children show their curiosity and enjoyment as they play. The childminder extends their concentration by adding further resources for them to explore. For example, she adds ice cubes and food colouring to the cornflour to enhance and extend children's experience.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant have a suitable knowledge of how to safeguard children and protect their welfare. They know how to recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse and how to report concerns to the relevant agencies. The childminder has thorough risk assessments in place to help keep children safe. For example, she has safety gates across the stairs to prevent children having access, and storage cupboards are secured with locks to maintain the confidentiality of records. The childminder has appropriate procedures in place for recruitment to check the suitability of assistants before they work with children.

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should:

n extend the opportunities for children to learn to be independent in managing their own self-care

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should:

6 December 2021 n focus more precisely on supporting and extending children's vocabulary during play and activities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 220762 Local authority North Northamptonshire Inspection number 10128005 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 15 Date of previous inspection 3 September 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1996 and she lives in Kettering, Northamptonshire. She operates Monday to Friday from 8am until 5pm. The childminder regularly works with assistants. She offers funded nursery education places.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 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 inspector observed the quality of education during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the childminder. n The childminder discussed her intent for the curriculum with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of the adults living and working in the household. n The inspector spoke with the assistant and children during the inspection. n The inspector spoke with the childminder about how she works in partnership with parents.

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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

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