Childminder in West 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 Good

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The provision is good

Children are contented and settled and enjoy their time in this homely environment. They have formed close bonds with the nurturing childminder. Children happily snuggle in for cuddles with her during story time. They know and enjoy their daily routine. Children willingly tidy up after themselves, enjoying the praise they receive for their good behaviour and achievements. This helps to promote children's self-confidence.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy being outside as they independently access resources, making choices about what they would like to play. They cooperate well as they select and set up the stepping stones, carefully stepping from one to another. Children remember what they have been taught as they hold their arms wide to help them balance. They take turns and wait patiently for each other, showing kindness and respect.

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The provision is good

Children are developing their imagination as they enjoy engaging in different role- play experiences. This supports children to test out their own ideas. For instance, children use their imagination to make dinner in the pretend kitchen. They use dried pasta to scoop, stir and serve to each other. Children experiment with their mathematical knowledge as they weigh their pasta on the scales to see 'who has the most'. Children are deeply engaged in their play, showing positive attitudes to learning.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has built a good curriculum that includes a variety of adult-led and child-initiated activities. These activities cover all areas of development, while meeting children's individual needs. The childminder uses the information she gains from parents when children start, to help her build on what children already know and can do. She carries out regular assessments of children's learning to swiftly identify any gaps in development. This helps children make good progress. n The childminder uses children's interests and stages of development to plan activities. For example, children recently took part in pumpkin picking. The childminder uses this interest to encourage children to build their hand strength and develop hand-to-eye coordination as she encourages them to practise hammering golf tees into pumpkins. n Children enjoy carrying out tasks for themselves. The childminder encourages

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need to do better?

them to put on their own shoes and coats and supports them through toilet training. As a result, children are developing their independence. n Children benefit from regular outings to places, such as the local park, farm and forest areas. They regularly visit the local playgroup, which gives children good

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need to do better?

19 October 2022 opportunities to socialise with other children their own age. However, the childminder does not always help children to learn about communities, families and traditions beyond their own. n Children's communication and language development is well supported. The childminder understands the importance of children learning a wide range of vocabulary. Children happily chat as they play, and the childminder uses repetition to reinforce key vocabulary. For example, as children find a spider in a web, the childminder repeats how the spider 'weaves the web'. n The childminder encourages children to take age-appropriate risks. She helps children to understand how to keep themselves safe. For example, children attend weekly gym sessions that allow them to climb, balance and jump from equipment in a safe environment, enhancing children's physical development. n Children are offered a range of healthy foods. For instance, they help

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need to do better?

themselves to strawberries and blueberries for snack. The childminder uses opportunities, such as visiting the shops, to teach children about different foods. This supports children to develop healthy habits from an early age. n The childminder has a strong partnership with parents and continuously updates them on their children's progress. She supports learning at home by offering a book-share system to encourage parents to read with their children. Parents highlight how they feel their children are 'safe and well looked after' in the childminder's care. n The childminder completes mandatory training, such as paediatric first aid and safeguarding, to ensure key knowledge is up to date. However, she has not considered her continued professional development to build on her knowledge of how children learn, for example how to further support children's development of future handwriting skills.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder implements an effective safeguarding policy and procedure and completes regular safeguarding training. She knows the procedures to follow to keep children safe. The childminder is confident in who to contact if she has a concern about a child. She knows the procedure to follow if an allegation is made against herself or a member of the household. The childminder is aware of the local safeguarding concerns, such as county lines and domestic violence. She keeps a safe and clean home to protect children from the risk of accidents or illness. All necessary steps are taken to ensure that children remain safe while in her care.

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should:

n build on current practice for teaching children about communities, families and

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should:

19 October 2022 traditions beyond their own n continue professional development to extend understanding of how children learn, to fully maximise children's outcomes.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 220584 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10234359 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 6 Date of previous inspection 17 November 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1998 and lives in Brackley, Northamptonshire. The childminder operates all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays, from 7am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday.

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Inspection activities

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. 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 with the inspector during the inspection. 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 childminder and inspector discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact that this had on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on

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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

19 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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