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 Not applicable

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The provision is outstanding

Children arrive in the safe and nurturing home of the childminder and immediately become engrossed in activities that interest and ignite their curiosity. They receive high levels of challenge as they are encouraged to make estimations. Children push marbles down a pipe that rolls towards number discs. They shout with excitement, 'number three, that's me!' Children are challenged to work out how to make the marbles go faster and work together, persevering to raise the height of the pipe. With the help of skilful, encouraging adults, they use their growing mathematical and problem-solving skills to make calculations, and observe the marbles as they travel along the ground.

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The provision is outstanding

Children and babies dance around the garden, spellbound by the music an assistant creates on the guitar. They beat drums and shake tambourines in time with the music. Children immerse themselves as they listen carefully to the beat, slowing down and speeding up their bodies in time with the rhythm. They squash and manipulate play dough. Children show high levels of respect for their friends as they share the play dough tools, saying, 'I'll use the tiny one, and you can use the big one.' Young children develop their knowledge of letter recognition as they find the letters of their name to squash into the play dough.

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need to do better?

n The childminder and her assistants provide an environment that fuels children's curiosity, both in the childminder's home and in the onsite field they access daily. The childminder uses every opportunity to build on children's learning. For example, children explore the field, which offers challenges in the form of slopes and hills. They develop excellent physical control from a very early age as they climb and balance. The childminder and her assistants recognise the differing abilities of the children present and skilfully adjust the activities accordingly. n Children gain a deep understanding of healthy lifestyles. The childminder's allotment gives children the opportunity to gain rich experiences as they plant seeds, harvest crops and eat the produce. The childminder and her assistants understand the importance of building healthy futures and use mealtimes as an opportunity to talk about healthy eating.

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need to do better?

n Parent partnerships are extremely strong. The childminder and her assistants visit the children in their home before starting at the setting. They gain an in- depth knowledge of the families and children in their care. Parents say that the 'magical' setting results in their children being confident and explorative learners. n Children's communication and language develop at a rapid pace, including those who speak English as an additional language. The childminder and her assistants skilfully encourage children to recall past events. They encourage children to

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need to do better?

16 December 2022 describe a recent trip to the post office to buy stamps in great detail. Children develop a love of books and reading as they snuggle up together to listen to stories. They use their language skills to talk about the story and repeat familiar phrases from the text of the book. n Children thrive as they follow clear boundaries and the childminder's high expectations. They respond by displaying exceptional behaviour. For example, they wait patiently for their turn during a picture-matching game. Children are kind and conscientious as they wait for their snacks, and listen respectfully as their friends talk. n The childminder and her assistants utilise their in-depth knowledge of each child and what makes them unique. For example, the childminder knows that some children have emerging mark-making skills, so provides every opportunity for them to practise these. Children play 'doctors' based on a deep level of interest.

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need to do better?

They use their imagination as they pretend to dress wounds and wrap bandages around the childminder. The childminder encourages mark making by suggesting the children write the 'next appointment' in the diary. n The childminder is passionate about providing the best start for the children in her care. She works with her assistants exceedingly well. There are excellent procedures in place to ensure that regular meetings and supervisions take place. The assistants praise the inspirational childminder and the training they receive to help them provide the best possible provision to the children who attend.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistants have an in-depth knowledge of how to keep children safe. They clearly understand their safeguarding roles and responsibilities. The childminder ensures that her assistants complete a wide range of safeguarding training. This helps to ensure they are knowledgeable about the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child could be at risk from harm. Risk assessments ensure children are kept safe on their daily walks. The childminder and her assistants teach the children how to keep themselves safe. Children speak confidently as they talk about what they would do in an emergency.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2589593 Local authority North Northamptonshire Inspection number 10251196 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 19 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2020 and is located in the village of Cottingham, Northamptonshire. She holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3. The childminder has two assistants, one of whom also holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3. The childminder operates from 8.30am until 3.30pm, during term time.

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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 inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to the assistants at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. 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 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

16 December 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

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

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