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

The childminder and her assistant welcome children into this nurturing and homely setting. Children build special bonds with them, showing they feel safe and secure as they happily wave goodbye to their parents in the morning. They quickly settle and select activities from the well-resourced setting. Children have the freedom to lead their play which is well supported and extended by the childminder. For example, babies beginning to walk are given space and encouragement as they move from one place to another. Toddlers become engrossed in the dinosaur play as they make footprints in play dough. Older children learn about arctic animals and confidently name them, such as 'caribou' and 'orca'. They ask the interactive speaker to make the animal sounds, furthering their understanding.

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The provision is good

Children are extremely independent. They help prepare for lunch as they collect ingredients and set the table. Children butter bread and make their own sandwiches, practising their hand-to-eye coordination. Children behave well and enjoy following the daily routine. They know to collect their wellington boots to prepare to go outside and are taught techniques to put on their coats. Children take pride in their achievements as the childminder and her assistant offer lots of praise and encouragement. This helps children to build confidence and support their well-being.

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need to do better?

n The childminder plans and implements a broad curriculum. Using assessment, she identifies what the children know and can do and highlights their next steps in learning. She plans exciting activities and opportunities that interest and engage children. This supports children to make good progress across all areas of development. n Outside children are encouraged to explore the natural environment. They use diggers to 'excavate' the mud to discover what's underneath. Babies crawl into the cosy reading den and look through books. At the mud kitchen, children use scissors safely to cut parsley as they pretend to make winter soup. Valuable learning takes place both indoors and out. n Overall, children's communication and language skills are well supported. Children speak confidently to adults and each other. The childminder uses open- ended questions to challenge and extend children's learning. However, she does

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need to do better?

not consistently support children's pronunciation of words to help them to say the word correctly. n Children have a positive attitude to learning and eagerly listen to and follow instructions. However, the childminder does not consistently engage children's listening skills during story time. Therefore, children lose interest and do not develop high levels of engagement.

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need to do better?

18 January 2023 n The childminder provides children with well-balanced, nutritious snacks and meals. Children actively learn about healthy eating as they are involved in safe preparation of evening meals. They chop, peel, and mix vegetables to prepare hot meals such as cottage pie. They know the importance of good hygiene as they remind each other to wash their hands before eating. n Children learn about oral health as the childminder uses books and plans fun activities to help them understand the importance of taking care of themselves and their teeth. n The childminder finds out about the experiences children have at home. She creates opportunities to broaden their knowledge. For example, the childminder plans outings that include experiences that the children may not have encountered, such as travelling on a bus or visiting a farm. This helps to support children's understanding of the wider world. n Children develop a good understanding of diversity beyond their community. For

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need to do better?

example, the childminder ensures that the environment has positive cultural images, books and musical instruments. She also teaches children about festivals and celebrations of others. n Parent partnership is very good. Parents say that their children feel happy and safe with the childminder. They say the communication they receive keeps them informed of the progress their children make. They also receive ideas about how they can continue learning at home. n The childminder is extremely reflective in her practice. She continuously seeks ways to improve the experiences she provides to the children. She undertakes training to support her own development and that of her assistant.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder ensures that her own and her assistant's knowledge of safeguarding is regularly updated. She is aware of safeguarding concerns in the local area, such as county lines. The childminder confidently recognises when a child may be at risk of harm and effectively records and reports any concerns. She understands the procedure to follow if an allegation is made against herself, her assistant, or a member of the household. The childminder completes regular risk assessments to ensure children are kept safe while at the setting and when on outings.

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should:

n strengthen teaching skills to help children hear the correct pronunciation of words to help develop their speaking skills further n strengthen knowledge and skills of how to implement story times to excite and

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should:

18 January 2023 highly engage all children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY482793 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10236527 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 20 Date of previous inspection 24 February 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2014 and lives in Towcester, Northamptonshire. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder is registered to work with an assistant. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 setting. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure those are safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to the childminder's assistant at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, both indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of

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Inspection activities

their views. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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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

18 January 2023 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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