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 Good

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The provision is good

Children are very settled in this warm and caring, home-from-home setting. They have a clear bond with their childminder and well-established friendships with each other. Children have a lovely sense of belonging as they peg their own picture up and put their personally decorated figurine into a miniature house to register themselves for the day. Each child has their own personal photo album and their own book bag at the setting. They smile as they point out their family members and share with each other the books they have chosen to take home and read that evening. The children are eager to help and enjoy having responsibilities, such as helping to tidy away toys and clean up after mealtimes. Children demonstrate a secure understanding of how to behave and understand the childminder's routines well. This helps them to feel safe and secure.

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The provision is good

Children make choices about what they would like to play with from the well- resourced environment. They enjoy playing with colourful scarves and bubbles, dancing with them and playing games, such as peekaboo and catch. Children develop an early love of stories. They actively seek out books to bring to the childminder or their friends to explore. Children show positive attitudes to learning. They remain motivated and engaged in their play. Children make good progress and are well prepared for the next stage in their learning.

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need to do better?

n The childminder understands how young children learn and develop. She provides a good range of activities and experiences that excite and engage children, based on their interests and next steps. She ensures that she regularly observes and tracks progress so that she can confidently meet their needs. However, the childminder does not provide activities or resources that fully help to develop children's understanding and interest in all areas, such as technology. n Children are extremely independent. They regularly wash and dry their own hands and put on their own wellington boots and coats. They choose their own snack from a variety of choices and then prepare it for themselves using safety knives. Children pour their own drinks and sweep the floor after mealtimes. n The childminder promotes children's early communication skills well. Children have regular opportunities to engage in singing and dancing to their favourite

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need to do better?

nursery rhymes. For example, the childminder sings to the children in a circle as they pass around a bag of 'rhyme stones'. The children pick a stone when the singing stops and then sing or dance to the song that matches the picture. Children learn new words and giggle as they dance together. n The children explore play dough. The childminder provides the children with a range of tools, such as rolling pins, cutters and loose parts. They share resources nicely with each other whilst making shapes with the cutters and

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need to do better?

22 March 2023 dough. They are creative and benefit from the freedom to explore while still being supported with ideas from the childminder. For example, she rolls play dough in between her palms to make a ball. She shows the children and asks if they can make a 'sphere' too. The children copy to make their own. However, the childminder overlooks some opportunities for the children to deepen their development and understanding of early mathematical language and concepts during play. n The childminder promotes children's physical health well. She works in partnership with parents to ensure packed lunches are healthy and nutritious. Children understand and follow good handwashing routines as they sing about germs and say goodbye to them at the sink. Children have access to the garden for exercise and play. Climbing and balancing apparatus are available for the children to play on, alongside various mark-making easels and trays filled with

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need to do better?

interesting resources. n The childminder is committed to developing her practice and regularly reviews this. Parents are positive in their feedback about the childminder. They comment that they are very happy with the activities that she provides and with the regular communication. Parents clearly understand their children's next steps and feel that the childminder goes above and beyond to ensure their children are progressing well.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of her safeguarding role and responsibilities. She also has a clear understanding of a wide range of safeguarding topics that pose a risk to children, including wider concerns, such as radicalisation and female genital mutilation. She is aware of the possible signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. She knows who to contact if she has a child protection concern and how to respond in the event of an allegation. The childminder is confident in identifying children who may be in need of early help, and she teaches them about how to keep themselves safe.

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should:

n develop children's understanding and interest in technology n provide more opportunities for children to learn early mathematical language and concepts within the setting.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY476351 Local authority North Northamptonshire Inspection number 10276521 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 10 Date of previous inspection 19 July 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2014 and lives in Irthlingborough. She operates from 7.30am until 5.30pm, three days a week, with wraparound care for two days a week. The childminder is open all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. 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 and the inspector completed a learning discussion together to understand how the early years provision and curriculum are organised. n The inspector made observations throughout the inspection of children's experiences in the setting. n Parents shared their views of the childminder's setting with the inspector through written feedback. n The childminder and the inspector carried out a joint observation. n The inspector interacted with the children at appropriate times during the inspection and observed their interactions with the childminder. n The inspector viewed the areas of the premises that are used for childminding. n The childminder shared a sample of documents with the inspector. This included

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Inspection activities

evidence of training and the suitability of household members.

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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

22 March 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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