Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision requires improvement

Children demonstrate they are happy in the home-from-home environment. They form strong bonds with the caring childminder, who helps them to feel safe and secure. Children select from a range of toys and quickly settle into play. However, the childminder has gaps in her knowledge of the learning and development requirements. Her understanding of children's learning is not always accurate. At times, this results in planned activities that are unsuitable for children's age and stage of development. Consequently, children quickly lose interest in activities provided by the childminder and are not making the best possible progress.

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The provision requires improvement

Nonetheless, the childminder supports children to be independent. Children develop good self-care skills, such as using cutlery at mealtimes and washing their hands. The childminder uses lots of praise and encouragement as children successfully put on their shoes and coats before going outside. Children lead their play freely. The childminder provides daily access to the outdoors. She takes children on walks to the local park, and children take part in forest trails. These opportunities help them be physically active and learn about the world around them. The childminder helps the children to understand how to keep themselves safe. For example, older children recognise they need to put the mats at the bottom of the slide before using it.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder generally knows the children and their families well. She collects information from parents to help her understand children's developmental starting points when they start to attend. However, the childminder does not use ongoing assessments of children's learning to identify gaps in their knowledge. Although children enjoy a range of activities, the childminder does not plan a challenging curriculum to meet children's individual learning needs. Consequently, children are not consistently supported to make good progress. Additionally, the childminder does not complete the necessary progress checks for children between two and three years old. n The childminder takes part in some online training and has identified further training she intends to complete. However, she does not focus on improving her understanding of the learning and development requirements, and there are gaps in her knowledge of how to meet children's learning needs. The

p.2

need to do better?

childminder does not fully understand how to plan an inspiring curriculum based on the seven areas of learning. n Children benefit from the childminder's positive role modelling, which helps to promote their emerging language. For instance, the childminder continually talks to the children as they play. She regularly encourages them to sing songs and recall familiar stories. However, she does not help children learn to listen and

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need to do better?

11 April 2023 pay attention. For example, children often talk over each other and do not understand when they need to listen to instructions. This results in some children losing interest and focus, particularly during group activities. n The childminder encourages children to lead a healthy lifestyle. During mealtimes, the childminder encourages the children to talk about foods that are healthy and name various fruits and vegetables in their lunches. She supports children to learn about good oral health as they are helped to brush their teeth daily. The childminder ensures children have access to their water beakers, which helps them to learn when they need to have a drink. n Mathematics is introduced by the childminder during everyday activities. For example, children are encouraged by the childminder to recognise and find a number on the puzzle board that matches their ages. Children show a keen interest in counting and accurately say numbers in the correct order and use

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need to do better?

their fingers to count. The childminder supports children as they compare sizes and put stepping stones into size order. n The childminder supports children's social skills. Children attend weekly groups with the childminder as they regularly meet new people. They enjoy a variety of activities, which helps them to learn about other cultures and develop their social skills. The childminder helps children be confident. For example, she encourages children to introduce themselves to visitors. n Parents state they are happy with the care their children receive and share positive feedback about the childminder. They like receiving regular updates about their children during the day and praise the flexibility of the childminder. They comment on the additional support the childminder offers, such as supporting children with toilet training and providing healthy lunches.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder confidently recognises the signs that indicate a child is at risk of harm. She has a clear understanding of who to report a concern about a child to. The childminder knows the procedure to follow if an allegation is made against herself or another member of her household. She keeps her safeguarding training up to date to ensure that she has a good understanding of child protection and local safeguarding concerns. The childminder has developed a fire evacuation procedure should she need to evacuate children in an emergency. She helps children to learn how to keep themselves safe, such as teaching them about road safety when on outings.

p.3

Due date

11 April 2023 improve planning and assessments to provide children with a varied choice of challenging activities that build on what they know and can do, ensuring that different ages and stages of development are considered 13/05/2023

p.3

Due date

review children's progress when they are between the age of two and three years, and provide parents with a short written summary, highlighting children's achievements and any areas where their development is less than expected 13/05/2023

p.4

Due date

improve professional knowledge to ensure children are provided with quality learning and development experiences. 13/05/2023

p.4

should:

n strengthen support to help children develop their listening and attention skills.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 220828 Local authority North Northamptonshire Inspection number 10280362 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

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

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1996 and lives in Corby, Northamptonshire. She operates all year round, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. 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 childminder. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure they are safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their curriculum. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while with the childminder. 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 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

11 April 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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