Childminder, Out-of school day care in West Northamptonshire

This provision meets requirements

Children are warmly greeted by the childminder when she collects them from school. She chats with them, asking if they are okay and have remembered everything they need to take home from school. Children respond positively and engage in lively conversation with the childminder and their friends. The childminder ensures that she keeps children informed of any changes to the normal plans and routine. For example, she tells them when there is going to be a visitor to the setting and introduces them to her when they meet. This means that children understand, are well prepared, and reassured about any changes that may occur. Children are friendly and welcoming. They are comfortable and confident to initiate conversations and, share how they enjoy their time in the childminder's home.

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This provision meets requirements

Children behave extremely well. The childminder is a positive role model. Children understand and follow her clear expectations and boundaries for behaviour. They are aware of the safest place to cross the road and know to look left and right on the walk back from school. On arrival to the childminder's home they place their belongings in the designated areas and settle quickly to their chosen activities. Children enjoy playing together outside in the childminder's garden. They play football, use hula hoops and create pictures on the path using chalks.

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need to do better?

n Children demonstrate strong relationships with the childminder, her assistant and each other. Children of all ages play well together, and the environment is relaxed and harmonious. On the way home from school, children talk about how they are going to build an obstacle course in the garden. On their arrival at the childminder's home they work together to gather the objects they need, such as balls, hoops and cones. Children agree how they are going to use what they have found and then take it in turns to test out what they have created. n The childminder is friendly and welcoming and spends time getting to know children and their families well. She provides parents with verbal feedback when they collect their children at the end of each session. The childminder provides regular email updates, keeping parents informed of any relevant information. Parents speak positively about the childminder and her assistant and the care

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need to do better?

that they provide for their children. They comment how they appreciate the childminder's attention to detail and the home-cooked food she provides. In addition, they comment on how their children are kept safe and are always happy to attend the homely environment after school. n The childminder provides children with a balanced range of food and refreshments. She takes into account children's individual dietary needs when

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need to do better?

25 April 2022 planning meals and snacks. The childminder invites children to share their ideas about the foods that they would like to try and incorporates these into the menu. Children are quick to share how 'spaghetti bolognaise' is their favourite meal and how they also 'like to eat vegetables'. Children enjoy the social occasion of sitting together at the table to eat. However, on some rare occasions, seating arrangements are not as well organised as they could be to ensure that all children are as involved as others. n Children demonstrate good levels of independence and show a strong sense of belonging in the setting. Children attend to their own needs as necessary. They make choices in what they would like to do and are confident to share their ideas and opinions. n The childminder has made sure that she and her assistant have kept up to date with any changes in guidance and legislation, through training, reading and

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need to do better?

discussion. The childminder ensures that her assistant is aware of his responsibilities and understands the setting's policies and procedures. They work well together to ensure that children's needs are met and that they have positive and enjoyable experiences in the setting.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder understands she has responsibilities to keep children safe. She ensures that she and her assistant have an up-to-date knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and child protection procedures. Both the childminder and her assistant are aware of the possible signs that a child may be at risk of harm, and the action they must take if they have a concern. The childminder is organised and maintains all of the necessary records she needs to meet the requirements and to promote children's safety and welfare. She is vigilant to children's whereabouts and supervises them well. The childminder completes risk assessments on the environment and makes sure that it safe, secure and well maintained.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY378580 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10138474 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 12 Date of previous inspection 10 February 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2008 and lives in Towcester, South Northamptonshire. She works with an assistant and operates all year round from 7.30am to 6.15pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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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 her evaluation of the provider. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures they are safe and suitable. n The inspector went with the childminder to pick up children from school. n The inspector spoke to children, to find out about their time at the setting. n The inspector spoke with the childminder and observed her interactions with the children. n The inspector spoke to most parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

25 April 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

25 April 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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