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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children are happy to come into the childminder's home. She is caring and attentive to their needs, helping them to feel safe and secure. For example, she encourages children to look at photos of themselves and their play with friends. The childminder talks about the photos as children listen with interest. Children turn to her for reassurance and snuggle close. They learn how to enjoy books as they make animal noises and smile with delight as the childminder reads them a story, and they help to turn the pages. Children are fully engaged in the high- quality experiences offered. They develop their small-muscle skills as they play a game, aiming and throwing small balls to try and knock down snowmen. They grin happily as they are successful and, with encouragement, learn to count how many they have toppled.

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The provision is good

Children make good progress in their learning. The childminder provides lots of opportunities for them to practise their emerging language skills. Children laugh and giggle as they put their hands in a bowl of water and splash. They hear words such as 'bubbly', 'water' and 'splash' as the enthusiastic childminder describes their play. Children are learning about the world around them. They explore the garden and go for walks to the local duck pond.

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need to do better?

n The childminder encourages children's love of books as she ensures children have free access to a wide range of stories. She reads and sings to the children as they sit together. Children help to press interactive buttons and join in with familiar actions. n Children are learning to make choices, and the childminder encourages them to explore their ideas. She uses her skills to extend children's learning. For example, children choose which brushes and sponges they would like to paint with. They confidently paint on the foil-covered table before deciding they would like to paint ice. The childminder quickly encourages children to explore this idea. The children develop their concentration as they use their brushes to paint the small blocks of ice. Children hear words such as 'cold', 'water', 'melting' and 'slippery' as they discover the ice is melting and the water is mixing with the paint. n Children are learning to do things for themselves. For example, the childminder

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need to do better?

encourages younger children to clean their hands before eating. She helps children to hold their own beakers to drink and encourages them to feed themselves. The childminder has successfully supported young children to only use a dummy during sleep time. However, on occasion, the childminder does not give consistent messages to the children about using dummies. Children are provided with real spare dummies to support their pretend play with baby dolls,

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need to do better?

17 February 2023 but children put these into their mouths. They then listen to stories while sucking these dummies, and the childminder does not remind them that they use them for sleep time only. n The childminder supports young children to understand and say their first words. She introduces new words and describes what the children are doing. She pauses and allows young children time to speak. For example, during pretend play, children put on pairs of glasses and look in the mirror. The childminder waits and encourages children to say the word 'glasses'. The children demonstrate their understanding as the childminder talks about how the play oven is 'hot', and they pretend to pull their hands away. n Children are learning early rules and how to be kind to each other. The childminder helps children learn as she reminds them to use 'kind hands' and to be gentle. She explains simply to young children about feelings, such as

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need to do better?

happiness and sadness. The childminder encourages children to use good manners, such as saying 'please' and 'thank you'. n The childminder reflects on her practice and is highly knowledgeable about how children learn. She considers how to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She works with other professionals to improve her practice. She researches ideas relevant to the children and attends courses to develop her knowledge. She seeks feedback from parents' questionnaires. n Parents speak highly of the childminder. They state their children are making good progress. For example, children sing songs they have learned at the childminder's. The childminder provides information for parents using daily reports, photos and text messages.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder provides a safe and clean environment for children to play in. She carries out safety checks to identify and reduce potential hazards to children. The childminder ensures parents receive information about any minor incidents their children have. She attends training courses to update her safeguarding knowledge. The childminder knows the action to take if she has a concern about a child's welfare, including if she is worried that children are being exposed to radical or extreme views. The childminder knows how to identify the signs and symptoms of abuse. She understands where to report concerns about children's welfare and safety.

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should:

n provide consistent messages to young children, particularly about when they can use dummies.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2611915 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10265204 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2020 and lives in Long Buckby, Northamptonshire. She operates all year round, from 8am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a recognised childcare qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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 home and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The childminder joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about her curriculum and what she wants the children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation.

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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

17 February 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

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

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