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 Good

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The provision is good

Children settle quickly when they arrive. Despite only attending for a short while, they rush to see the activities on offer. Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure. One-year-old children hold their arms out to the childminder when they want to be picked up for a cuddle. Three-year-old children fetch their comforters when they are feeling tired. This supports children's emotional well-being.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are supported to be independent. The childminder has high expectations of what they can do. When children are reluctant to complete self-care tasks themselves, such as toileting, the childminder encourages them as she knows what they are able to do for themselves. Children take responsibility for their learning environment. They ask to help sweep up when they notice oats they have been playing with have fallen onto the floor.

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The provision is good

Children's behaviour is good. They are supported by the childminder to develop new skills, such as taking turns. Children benefit from stimulating learning activities planned to meet the next stages in their learning. They sustain their interest with activities for long periods of time. Children develop their imaginative skills well. For example, after using scales to learn about balancing, they turn this into a paddling pool for bears. Children explain how they will use the other side of the scales as a cover, to stop the bears from getting wet.

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need to do better?

n The childminder knows the children she is caring for very well. She provides a warm and homely environment and organises resources well to enable children to access them independently to support their play and ideas. n The childminder has a secure understanding of how children learn and develop. She ensures the curriculum she offers broadens on the experiences they have at home. For example, children show a keen interest in exploring books. She extends on this interest by taking them to visit the local library. Children enjoy exploring a range of fiction and non-fiction texts. This widens the opportunities they have. n The childminder has attended a range of training since her last inspection. She has considered the impact this training has had on her practice. The childminder now recognises the importance of observing children before interacting with them, so as not to interfere with their learning.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is skilled at adapting activities to include all children of different ages and at varying stages in their development. However, occasionally, she does not support children to understand and manage their feelings. For example, older children can become frustrated as younger children turn the pages in books too quickly or take the blanket from their doll's bed that they

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need to do better?

29 March 2022 have made. n Throughout the day, the childminder incorporates aspects of mathematical learning into children's play. She reinforces early counting skills when children count how many cups they have to make pretend smoothies. When children count incorrectly, she supports them to go back and count each cup carefully. Children learn about weighing and are introduced to new mathematical language, such as 'balancing'. n The childminder provides some opportunities to develop children's understanding of living a healthy lifestyle. Children go outside in the childminder's garden, or at local parks on a daily basis. This gives them the opportunity to explore large-scale equipment, such as climbing apparatus, and to be energetic. Children develop good hygiene habits. They know to wash their hands after using the toilet. However, the childminder does not always make use of opportunities during children's play to help them understand more about

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need to do better?

foods which are healthy and unhealthy. n The childminder keeps in contact with parents throughout the day. They comment that the communication received from her about their children is very good. Parents say they know what their children can do now and what they need to learn to do next. They say they 'wouldn't think twice' about recommending the childminder to other parents. The childminder communicates well with other settings children attend. This means there is a consistent approach to children's learning and development.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has attended safeguarding training. She demonstrates a robust understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse. The childminder knows how to report any concerns she may have about a child's welfare. She is aware of the procedure to follow should an allegation be made against herself or a family member. The childminder completes accident records effectively and makes sure parents are informed. She completes a fire drill with children regularly to make sure they know how to exit the home quickly and safely in the event of a fire. The childminder completes visual risk assessments of her home and garden to ensure any hazards are identified and removed.

p.3

should:

n support children to understand and manage their own feelings n develop children's understanding of healthy and unhealthy foods.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY443378 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10075110 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 2 Date of previous inspection 23 February 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2012 and lives in Northampton. She operates all year round from 8am to 4pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3.

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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 showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures they are safe and suitable. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about their intentions for children's learning. n The inspector spoke to children, to find out about their time at the setting. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children. n The inspector observed the childminder completing an activity with children. n The inspector viewed written feedback from several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of household members.

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Inspection activities

29 March 2022 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

29 March 2022 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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