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 warmly welcomed into the safe and secure home by the childminder and her assistant. When children arrive, they find their named pegs and hang their belongings. Children develop close friendships with their peers. They are pleased to see them when they arrive and excitedly talk about their weekend. Children play harmoniously, making choices in their play in the relaxed homely environment. The childminder invites children to play encouraging them to work together. They are supported to problem solve and think critically. For example, they find the connecting pieces to make a road for a garage. The childminder extends children's vocabulary, introducing words, such as propeller and engine as they play with a helicopter.

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The provision is good

Children have a positive attitude to learning and are keen to take part in activities on offer. Older children proudly shout out the answer when taking part in a phonics game. The childminder and her assistant give lots of praise and encouragement offering high fives for children's achievements. This helps support children's well- being and self-esteem. Children are supported to practise their physical development skills. Babies practise crawling as they are enticed by objects the childminder provides. Toddlers climb soft play equipment and are encouraged to balance and jump.

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need to do better?

n The childminder and her assistant know the children in their care well. They confidently talk about children's interests and where they are with their learning. The childminder and her assistant support children to lead their own play and practise what they already know and can do. However, at times, older children do not have access to challenging enough activities to fully extend their learning. n Communication and language are well supported. The childminder encourages children to participate in group song time and supports them to choose which songs they would like to sing. The childminder enthusiastically reads aloud to children. She asks questions to keep children interested and involved in the story. For example, children learn about woodland animals as they are encouraged to spot the animals hiding in the tree. n The childminder incorporates numbers and mathematical language into daily routines and play. She supports children to count how many cars are in the

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need to do better?

garage. Children play with construction toys where they begin to measure height and compare size. n The childminder and her assistant are good role models. Children show increasing levels of good manners and social skills towards each other. They openly share resources, take turns and include everyone. For example, older children notice when a baby becomes restless and offer them new toys to play

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need to do better?

27 March 2023 with. n Older children are beginning to meet their own self-care needs. They take themselves to the toilet and remember to wash their hands. However, sometimes, the childminder is too quick to complete tasks for children that they can do themselves. Therefore, she is not consistently supporting children's growing independence. n The childminder plans experiences that encourage children to learn more about the wider world. For example, they go on nature walks in the local woodlands, take trips to the zoo and travel on a train. This also enhances children's opportunity to play with various children and develop social skills and confidence. n Children develop an early understanding of the importance of healthy lifestyles. The childminder helps children keep physically active. They visit play areas and dance to action songs. However, the childminder does not offer enough opportunities for children to access activities that will build small hand muscles

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need to do better?

to support future writing skills. n Parents are happy with the care children receive. They comment on the good levels of progress their children make and how they see this at home. They say that verbal feedback from the childminder helps them to extend their children's learning further. n The childminder and her assistant work well together. They reflect daily about what children have enjoyed and how they might do things differently. They evaluate practice through these discussions and draw on each other's strengths. They identify further professional development to improve their practice.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder clearly understands her responsibility to safeguard children. She and her assistant regularly update their training so they are alert to possible signs that children may be at risk of harm. They know how to record and refer any concerns about children's welfare. They have a good knowledge of the impact of local issues, such as county lines and domestic violence. The childminder checks her home for hazards and supervises children closely, including while they sleep. She teaches children to keep themselves safe, for example, when they cross the road or play on larger equipment in the park.

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should:

n review and strengthen some parts of the curriculum to offer a consistent level of challenge, particularly for older children n promote children's independence more consistently by encouraging them to do

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should:

27 March 2023 more things for themselves n provide activities to support children small hand muscles to support later skills for handwriting.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY485981 Local authority North Northamptonshire Inspection number 10276711 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 17 Date of previous inspection 28 July 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Wollaston, Northamptonshire. The childminder operates all year round from 8.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a qualification at level 2. She works with an assistant. The childminder 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 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 to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while with the childminder. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder, assistant and children. 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 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

27 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

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