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

p.1

The provision is good

The caring childminder welcomes the children into her home. Children are happy and have strong attachments to the childminder. She reassures children with lots of cuddles. The childminder supports children to learn to be caring. For example, children cuddle baby dolls as the childminder says 'ahh'. Children are confident to approach visitors. They smile as they show them how they can remove the doll's shorts, demonstrating that they feel safe and secure.

p.2

The provision is good

Children learn social skills, such as playing together and taking turns. For example, they use their imagination as they collect toys with their friends and pretend to go on holiday. The childminder encourages children's imagination and speaking skills. She has conversations with them about what they are going to do at the seaside. Children put their items in a bag and say, 'We're going to the beech.'

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder has high expectations for children's conduct and children behave well. Children have respect for each other and are learning to be friendly. For example, they work together to fill a bowl with sand and say that they are making 'chocolate cookies', as they take turns to fill a bun tray.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder knows the children and their interests well. Children make good progress. The childminder focuses on promoting older children's small-muscle skills so that they are well prepared for their next stage in learning, such as going to school. For example, children exercise their hands by using tweezers to pick up small plastic bears and place them into cups.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder plans the curriculum to prepare children for their next stage in education, such as school. She teaches children to understand early mathematical concepts appropriate to their age. For example, the childminder provides activities to help children to recognise numbers. They count spots and recognise numerals and match them to the number of bears. n The childminder focuses on promoting children's communication and language skills. She sings songs with children and reads them stories. The childminder supports older children to talk about colours as they match coloured toys and plates. However, the childminder does not always support younger children to hear new words during their play, to help to extend their vocabulary. n The childminder provides opportunities for children to exercise as they explore and learn in the local community. She plans walks to the local woods and follows children's interests to play with balls at the park to practise their physical skills.

p.2

need to do better?

However, on other occasions, the childminder does not use children's interests to extend their learning even further. For example, when children fill containers

p.2

need to do better?

8 June 2023 in the garden and find a seed, the childminder explains that the wind blew it there. Children are interested and ask why. She does not extend children's knowledge or support them to find out more. n The childminder explains her behavioural expectations to the children. Children listen to instructions and behave well. She reminds them to walk inside and to share toys. She teaches children about respect and to look after their belongings. For example, children listen as the childminder talks about a broken book that needs sticking back together. n The childminder encourages children to learn to stay healthy and be independent. She talks to children about being safe in the sun and using sun cream. The childminder offers children a choice of healthy snacks and drinks, such as grapes and rice cakes, and children say 'thank you'. She explains to children that it is healthier to drink water. The childminder encourages children

p.2

need to do better?

to take their bowl into the kitchen after they have finished their snack. She supports them to put on their own shoes before going outside. n The childminder reflects on her practice and looks at ways to adapt to meet the needs of the children. She attends training courses to extend her knowledge of the curriculum. The childminder meets with other childminders to discuss and share ideas. She communicates with other professionals, such as teachers, to help children make a smooth transition to school. n Parents speak of the nurturing and very approachable childminder. They say that there is good communication and that children come on 'leaps and bounds'. The childminder helps parents with children's learning at home, such as toilet training. She communicates with parents online and face to face.

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 attends training courses to update her knowledge of safeguarding. The childminder knows how to identify the signs and symptoms of abuse. She knows the action to take if she has a concern about a child's welfare. The childminder is aware of whistle-blowing procedures. She has an understanding of safeguarding issues, such as female genital mutilation and the 'Prevent' duty. The childminder talks to older children about how to keep safe online.

p.3

should:

n extend the support for the youngest children to learn new words to help develop their vocabulary n support children to extend their learning during spontaneous play.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY491053 Local authority North Northamptonshire Inspection number 10285759 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 9 Date of previous inspection 17 October 2017

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Kettering. She operates all year round from 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an early years qualification at level 3.

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 setting. n The inspector viewed the provision 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 children to learn. n The inspector spoke with the childminder about the leadership and management of the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder. n The inspector gathered feedback from parents and took account of their views.

p.4

Inspection activities

8 June 2023 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

8 June 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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