Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

p.1

The provision is outstanding

Children experience an exceptional range of exciting activities during their time with the childminder. The childminder and her assistant plan meticulously. They make sure that children enjoy an extremely broad curriculum. This supports children to learn about their local and wider community superbly. For example, children visit a local heritage site and learn about the history of the building. The childminder shares information with parents about the educational aspects of the trip and how these can be extended at home. This has resulted in parents visiting other places of interest with their children.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

Children show how happy they are in the childminder's care. Children are confident and show an eagerness to learn from a very young age. They feel safe and secure as they instinctively reach to the childminder and her assistant for affection. The childminder makes sure that there are no barriers to what children are able to learn. She teaches them about shapes when playing with a pretend picnic. Two- year-old children then begin to recognise triangular and circular shaped sandwiches in the picnic basket.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

Children behave exceptionally well and listen intently as they delight in a well-read story. The childminder and her assistant are excellent role models for children. Their support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is exemplary. The childminder works with parents and other professionals who support children with SEND superbly well.

p.2

need to do better?

n The curriculum provided for children is highly ambitious. The childminder has carefully considered the impact of COVID-19 on children and their families. She designs activities to make sure that children do not now miss out on learning about the world around them. For example, the childminder regularly takes children on visits to the fire station, local community groups, parks, libraries and other places of interest. n The childminder and her assistant support children's communication and language expertly. They model the correct use of grammar in spoken language for children and extend their vocabulary superbly. For example, two-year-olds are introduced to the word 'fragile' as they discuss a butterfly's wings. Children are extremely confident communicators. They speak with each other and adults in a purposeful way and are already beginning to form full complex sentences. For example, two-year-old children talk about their toy bag being 'empty

p.2

need to do better?

because it doesn't have any toys in it.' n Children show that they are superbly prepared for the next stage in their learning. They focus on activities for extensive periods of time and show very

p.2

need to do better?

21 June 2022 high levels of concentration. While playing with water, children listen to the childminder intently as she shows them how to pour water with their hands. Even the youngest children demonstrate that they understand the rules and routines of the setting. For example, one-year-old children independently sit down quietly on a picnic rug and listen attentively as the childminder's assistant begins to read a story. n The childminder works superbly well with her assistant to meet children's individual care needs. Children show that they are very much attached to both adults who work with them. Younger children, yet to take their first steps, are supported to stand independently, safe in the knowledge that the childminder's assistant is there to guide them. n The childminder and her assistant work extremely successfully with parents to make sure that children eat healthy food and snacks when at the setting. For

p.2

need to do better?

example, the childminder has introduced a healthy eating week to introduce new foods to children who may be fussy eaters. This has helped children to broaden the variety of food that they eat and learn about the importance of a healthy lifestyle. n The childminder and her assistant accessed a wealth of training opportunities while the setting was closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. They consistently reflect on how they can improve their setting and speak regularly with parents to gain their feedback. Written testimonies show how appreciative parents are of the exceptionally high-quality care and education being provided. n All children being cared for at the time of the inspection were under the age of three. Despite their young age, they demonstrate that they are knowledgeable about the world as they begin to talk about caring for butterflies and other animals.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant have an excellent understanding of how to safeguard children in their care. They recognise the signs and symptoms that may alert them that a child is at risk of harm. They understand what would worry them about the behaviour of other adults and what action they would need to take should this be the case. The childminder and her assistant keep up to date with relevant safeguarding training. They reflect on the learning they have gained and how they can use this to improve their practice.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY483593 Local authority North Northamptonshire Inspection number 10231951 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 12 Number of children on roll 10 Date of previous inspection 27 September 2016

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder was registered in 2014 and lives in Corby, Northamptonshire. She works with an assistant and operates all year round from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. The childminder holds qualified teacher status.

p.4

Inspection activities

n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about their intentions for children's learning. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder, the assistant and children. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector through written testimonies. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. 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 childminder.

p.4

Inspection activities

21 June 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

21 June 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6