Hancock, Claire

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children are welcomed into the home-from-home setting by the warm and friendly childminder. She provides an inviting environment that encourages children to explore and make independent choices from a young age. Children develop strong bonds with the childminder. They seek her for reassurance or cuddles as they play, showing they feel safe and secure in her care.

p.2

The provision is good

Children choose from a large selection of toys and involve the childminder in their imaginative play. For example, when playing with the dolls, they say to the childminder, 'Shh, my baby is sleeping' as they rock the dolly in their arms. Outside, children explore the water tray using their hand-eye coordination to scoop up sea creatures with a net. The childminder helps extend their knowledge as she helps them to name and identify creatures, such as starfish and jellyfish.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder has high expectations for children's behaviour and is a positive role model. She encourages children to take turns and share resources. The childminder offers lots of praise to children for their efforts, which helps to boost their self-esteem. Children demonstrate good behaviours and attitudes towards their learning and are eager to engage in the activities. They learn how to include others in their play. For example, during outside play, they help the youngest children to climb the steps to the slide safely.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children benefit from a well-thought-out curriculum that covers all areas of learning. She uses observation and assessment to find out what children know and can do and what they need to learn next. The childminder knows the children well and uses their interests to engage them in activities, helping them become engrossed in their play. This helps to ensure children make good progress in their learning. n Children enjoy a mixture of child-led play and adult-led activities. However, planned activities do not always fully engage younger children to support their age and stage of development. For example, during an activity to teach children how to use scissors, younger children become restless and lose interest as the activity is not appropriate to their age or ability. n The childminder supports children's communication and language skills well. She provides lots of opportunities for children to sing and shares stories with them

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need to do better?

throughout the day. When reading stories, children are invited to talk about the pictures they see and predict what could happen next. Children are supported to develop a love of books and engage well in stories. n The childminder helps children develop their mathematical skills as they play. Children engage in enjoyable counting activities, such as counting peg people

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need to do better?

23 May 2023 into their pots. They look at shape and size and colour as they compare different fruits. Children are enthusiastic to count and demonstrate their knowledge of numbers up to 10. n Children's social interactions are enhanced by the childminder. She regularly takes children on outings in the local community. Children often attend playgroups and visit the library and local play areas. They also attend regular sessions at forest school, where they learn about nature and their environment. These experiences enable children to feel part of the local community and understand more about the world. n The childminder supports children to be independent. Children are encouraged to wipe their faces after snacks and are taught to put their shoes and coats on by themselves. At snack time, children are given the opportunity to chop and peel fruit, which helps them develop important skills for the future.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder promotes children's good health. Children have access to ride- on toys to help improve their large-muscle skills, as well as their coordination and balance. The childminder provides children with healthy snacks. She continues to support children's learning and healthy choices during activities. For example, children cut out pictures of fruits and vegetables and stick them to their 'Healthy plates'. n Parent partnership is strong. The childminder shares information and keeps parents updated about their children's progress and daily activities. Parents comment that they are very happy with the quality of care and experiences their children receive. n The childminder completes statutory training. However, she does not focus on developing knowledge and skills linked to children's learning and development to raise the quality of her teaching to a higher level and maximise the children's learning experiences.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder is confident in recognising the signs that indicate a child is at risk of harm. She understands the procedures to follow when reporting a concern about a child or when an allegation is made against herself or another member of her household. The childminder completes regular safeguarding training to keep her knowledge up to date. She is aware of local safeguarding concerns, such as county lines and the 'Prevent' duty. The childminder carries out regular risk assessments of her home. She assesses risk when taking the children on trips into the local community. This helps her to keep the children safe.

p.3

should:

23 May 2023 n focus on children's different abilities when planning and organising activities to keep each child engaged in their learning at an appropriate level n build knowledge and understanding to ensure learning and development experiences for children are continually improving.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY492147 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10286097 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 5 Date of previous inspection 31 October 2017

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and is located in Deanshanger, Milton Keynes. She operates all year round, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and pre-arranged family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3.

p.5

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 inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children. n Parents shared their views of the childminder with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on

p.6

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

23 May 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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