Minney, Karen

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children are extremely settled and content in the childminder's care. They demonstrate exceptional levels of confidence as they greet the inspector and introduce themselves. Children eagerly share photographs of their family and pets with the inspector and ask them questions. This shows that children feel safe and are emotionally secure. Children settle exceptionally well, and they have very strong attachments to the childminder.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are highly motivated learners, who are constantly busy exploring the rich- learning opportunities. These build on previous experiences so that children are able to make clear connections. Following a visit to a fairy garden with the childminder, children use their impressive imagination to create their own fairy garden from a wide choice of resources. They talk about how the fairies will see rockets and stars on their journey. Children work out that they need to snap twigs in half so that they stand upright in the tray of soil, and carefully position pasta shells for the fairy to use as stepping stones.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is impressive. They demonstrate high levels of self-control and learn to manage minor disagreements without conflict. Children share ideas of the best way to empty the soil from a toy truck, and respect each other's drawings as they share a blackboard. Children learn to identify letters in their name and say the sound of each letter from a young age.

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need to do better?

n The childminder knows the children she cares for exceptionally well. She plans exciting activities that consistently meet children's evolving interests and provides them with a superb level of challenge. The childminder's very well- designed curriculum is ambitious so that children's new knowledge is thoroughly embedded before building on it. She uses her strong knowledge of how children learn to create an environment that is full of wonder and awe. This leads to children engaging in activities with a high level of concentration for extended periods of time. n Partnerships with parents are exemplary. The childminder is respected for the inspirational service she offers, where relationships are warm and trusting. Parents appreciate the wealth of guidance and advice the childminder provides. They describe the childminder as 'professional' and 'caring'. The childminder uses an app and daily face-to-face meetings to involve parents in everything

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need to do better?

their children do. n The childminder prepares healthy and nutritious meals. The children thoroughly enjoy sitting at the table together to eat. The childminder expertly uses mealtimes as a learning experience. For example, she talks to children about the

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need to do better?

16 August 2022 importance of a healthy lifestyle and how the food they eat helps their bones and muscles to grow strong. Children are fully aware of the childminder's high expectations. They know to remain seated at the table until everyone has finished eating, before carrying their plate to the sink. n The childminder meets regularly with a close network of other childminders and the children they care for. Children benefit from superb opportunities to build on their character and form friendships with larger groups of children. They share the childminder's love of nature and learning outdoors. Children gain outstanding physical skills. For example, they negotiate space and climb trees during regular visits to forests. Children receive excellent support to develop a strong awareness of the wider world. Sensitive discussions about similarities and differences help children to understand how each family is unique.

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need to do better?

n The childminder completes a wide range of training and research to enhance her knowledge and skills. The impact of her commitment to development is evident in the excellent progress children consistently make. n The childminder inspires children's enjoyment of books. Children frequently bring books from home and take pride as they share them with others and the inspector. They also choose a book to share at home from the childminder's extensive selection. Children use complex sentences to describe the knowledge they learn from books. For example, children talk about how disposing of rubbish in the sea is harmful to sea life. The childminder expertly brings children's favourite stories to life. Children excitedly use a wealth of props from story sacks made by the childminder to retell stories. This helps them to understand the sequence of stories and practise the wide range of vocabulary that they swiftly learn. The childminder's skilful use of questioning challenges

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need to do better?

children to describe how the characters may feel in the story.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder is highly skilled and knowledgeable in protecting the children in her care. She is knowledgeable about wider safeguarding aspects, such as county lines. The childminder is very confident in how she would identify potential signs of abuse and how to quickly report any concerns to the relevant external agencies. She regularly updates her training and reads latest safeguarding guidance. The childminder provides parents with latest guidance on the use of children's car seats and how to keep children safe while using the internet at home. She has a strong focus on children's safety at all times. The childminder ensures that the environment is safe, and teaches children to manage risk and keep themselves safe.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY448204 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10075193 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 8 Date of previous inspection 11 May 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2012 and lives in the West Hunsbury area of Northampton. She operates from 8am until 5pm, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting 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 her evaluation of the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and in the childminder's garden. The inspector assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the childminder. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of household members. n The inspector took account of the views of parents through their written feedback provided.

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Inspection activities

16 August 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

16 August 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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