Childminder in North 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 Inadequate

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The provision is good

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. Their needs are responded to promptly by the childminder and her assistants, for example, when they are hungry or need their nose wiping. The childminder sensitively supports children who find it tricky to manage their feelings and emotions. For example, when two-year-old children get upset because they want to have a turn on the bicycle, she acknowledges they are feeling sad because they want to have a go. The childminder provides children with a sand timer so they can see when it will be their turn. This helps children to develop their turn-taking and sharing skills.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder has high expectations of what children can do. When they find tasks challenging, such as negotiating space to sit at the top of the slide, she encourages them and says, 'You can do it!' The childminder is on hand to offer support and reassurance. Children are delighted when they succeed and race down the slide to the bottom.

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The provision is good

The childminder and her assistants provide children with many opportunities to learn outside. Children show an interest in leaves they find in the garden. The childminder extends their interests and children go on a walk in the local area and find different leaves of assorted shapes and colours.

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need to do better?

n Since her last inspection, the childminder has received support from the local authority. She now has a much clearer understanding of what she wants children to learn and why. She finds out from parents about children's likes and interests and uses this information to plan activities that interest them. For example, children go out for a walk in the local area and identify different places, such as parks. Back at her home, the childminder provides children with vehicles, and they work together to make a road, incorporating new places, such as a fire station and supermarket. n The childminder has developed her partnership with parents. Parents say the childminder now holds termly parents evening sessions with them. They say how she has provided ideas for them to help their children at home. For example, when children find managing their feelings and emotions tricky, the childminder provides children with a 'feelings box' to take home. She uses the same resource

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need to do better?

at her home, meaning there is a consistent approach. n The childminder encourages children to develop a love of reading. Children cuddle up on her lap as she reads a story to them. The childminder reads in an animated voice and invites children to look at the pictures. Later, children access books independently and are keen to share them with their friends. n The childminder introduces children to new language as they play. When

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need to do better?

13 October 2022 children use leaves and autumn cutters in play dough, she talks to them about rolling the play dough and uses new vocabulary, such as 'squash' and 'squeeze'. Children begin to use this language independently in their play. n The childminder encourages children to be independent. At snack time, children are encouraged to take a bowl and help themselves to healthy snacks of cheese straws and sliced grapes. However, at other times of the day, such as tidy-up time and when it's time to go outside, children are not always sure what to do. n The childminder is very attentive towards the children. She ensures her assistants are deployed effectively so they receive swift guidance and support if needed. Children enjoy engaging with the adults caring for them and seek them out to share experiences. Occasionally, the childminder and her assistants step in too quickly when children play. This means children do not always have a

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need to do better?

chance to develop their own ideas in their play. n Since her last inspection, the childminder has accessed mandatory training, such as safeguarding and child protection. The childminder knows about a wide range of safeguarding issues, such as breast ironing and female genital mutilation. However, she has not yet implemented plans to access further training to develop her teaching skills, and those of her assistants, to an even higher level.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a secure knowledge of the signs that a child's welfare may be at risk. She undertakes regular training and accesses her local authority's safeguarding partnership website to check for any updates. The childminder regularly checks her assistants' safeguarding knowledge by asking them about a range of different scenarios. She knows who to inform if she has concerns about a child. The childminder knows the procedure to follow if an allegation is made about herself or someone living or working on the premises. The childminder makes sure her home is safe. The kitchen area has a safety gate so children cannot access this area.

p.3

should:

n develop the organisation of transition times so that all children know what to do n allow children more time to explore independently and develop their own ideas in their play n implement a more targeted plan for professional development, to enhance knowledge further and raise the quality of teaching to the highest level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2553624 Local authority North Northamptonshire Inspection number 10243812 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

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 16 Date of previous inspection 28 April 2022

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2020. She lives in Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire. She operates for 51 weeks of the year, from 7am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with two assistants. She and one of her assistants hold early years qualifications at level 3.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 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 she ensures it is safe and suitable. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about her intentions for children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children. n The inspector spoke to parents to find out their views. n The inspector and childminder did a joint observation of one of the childminder's assistants carrying out an activity with children. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request, including evidence to document the suitability of those living and working on the premises.

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Inspection activities

13 October 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

13 October 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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