Childminder in West 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 Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children are relaxed and calm in the care of the childminder in the home-from- home environment. They tell visitors they have an 'amazing time' with the childminder. Children immerse themselves in imaginative play, recalling previous learning about the Queen's Platinum Jubilee as they move a toy carriage past a line of toy horses. Children's independence skills are impressive. Older children manage all aspects of their self-care independently. Two-year-old children confidently tidy up colouring pencils before lunch, carefully placing them back into a box.

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The provision is outstanding

Children have exceptionally strong bonds with the childminder who knows them very well as individuals. They fetch their comforters and tell the childminder when they would like to rest, suggesting they get some books to read for some quiet time. All children are confident communicators, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Children's views and wishes are consistently listened to by the childminder. This helps children to feel valued and supports their emotional wellbeing. Children receive praise throughout the day. They show exceptional perseverance skills and succeed in completing tricky tasks, such as handling very small sequins and using glue to stick them on their artwork.

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The provision is outstanding

The learning environment is harmonious. Children show high levels of respect and care for their friends. Three-year-old children invite their younger friends to come and listen to a story. They learn how to express themselves and demonstrate a deep awareness of how other children may feel. For example, children suggest they make a card for their friend who is feeling poorly, to help them feel better. Children follow the childminder's high expectations as they use good manners effortlessly.

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need to do better?

n Parents could not be happier with the care the childminder provides. They value the vast range of opportunities children have to learn outside the childminder's home. Parents comment that the childminder is 'trustworthy and professional'. They feel fully informed about their children's learning and development and how they can support them further at home. Parents state the childminder goes 'above and beyond', not just for children but for their whole family. n The childminder has excellent communication with the other settings children attend. She speaks verbally to children's key person at drop off and pick up, to support a consistent approach to children's development. Where children are supported by outside agencies, the childminder finds out all the information she needs to provide support to children. The childminder actively seeks out additional support for children when needed, for example by making referrals to

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need to do better?

speech and language therapy services or inviting playworkers to come to her

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need to do better?

13 July 2022 home. n The childminder is passionate about developing children's love of stories. She provides a range of interesting and exciting books for them. Children access fiction and non-fiction books in the home and garden. They listen intently as the childminder reads the story of 'The Rainbow Fish'. The childminder is highly skilled at engaging each child at their level of understanding. She encourages older children to predict what might happen next. Younger children are supported to carefully turn the pages. When the story has finished, children retell the story to the childminder, in their own words. They glide around, pretending to be the fish, saying they feel 'delighted' they now have shiny scales. n The childminder consistently develops children's communication and language skills. She includes all children, of varying ages and stages of development in rich and varied conversation. The childminder constantly introduces new words

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need to do better?

to children to develop their vocabulary. Two-year-old children learn about trains being 'magnetic' as they engage with a train set. At snack time, she introduces words to the children such as 'hydrate' and 'calcium'. The childminder checks older children understand what these words mean. Three-year-old children confidently ask questions and use an exceptional range of vocabulary for their age. n The childminder uses every available opportunity to broaden children's experiences. Children are keen to discuss these opportunities with visitors. They excitedly share that they went to a butterfly house and saw a butterfly fluttering around. Children build on their experience as they explore and find out more about minibeasts. They spend sustained periods of time searching for different minibeasts in compost. They gasp in excitement as they pick up a worm using tweezers. The childminder extends children's learning as she asks children

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need to do better?

challenging questioning and supports them to talk about what they are learning. n Children learn about how to keep their teeth healthy. They explore different textures of toothbrushes and learn about what different dentist tools, such as a mirror, are used for. They learn new words such as 'plaque' and 'liquid'. This supports children to understand about having good oral health. n The childminder has completed a range of training since her last inspection. Her professional development is intrinsically focused on the individual needs of the children she is caring for. For example, she has attended training about supporting children with SEND. The childminder is reflective and identifies what works well with her provision, and what she would like to do next. She demonstrates a strong commitment to continually improve her already excellent practice.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder knows in great detail how to protect children from harm. She has an excellent understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse. The childminder regularly attends safeguarding training to ensure her knowledge is kept up to date.

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Safeguarding

13 July 2022 The childminder has developed a network of local childminders who meet up regularly. They check each other's knowledge of safeguarding through a range of scenarios. The childminder checks all areas of her home and garden are safe for children to use before they access them. She supervises children closely when they go on outings.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY381967 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10138527 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 6 Number of children on roll 10 Date of previous inspection 10 July 2013

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2008. She lives in Kings Sutton, Northamptonshire. The childminder operates from Monday to Thursday, from 7.30am until 5.30pm, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. The childminder provides funded early education for four- year-olds.

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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 childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provision. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure it is safe and suitable. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about their intentions for children's learning. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while with the childminder. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector observed the childminder carrying out an activity with children. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. Written feedback was also considered. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on

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Inspection activities

request, including evidence to document the suitability of household members.

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Inspection activities

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

13 July 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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