Childminder in West 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 receive cuddles and reassurance from the childminder and her assistant to help them to settle. The children who recently joined the childminding setting are supported to develop strong attachments. The childminder recognises this is important to help them become confident learners. The childminder talks to the children about everyone being unique and different. She finds out about children's interests and encourages families to bring in photos from home. She uses these photos in conversations with the children about their families to help them feel safe and secure.

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The provision is good

Babies say their first words, and the childminder enthusiastically repeats them. She pauses to allow babies time to practise their early communication skills. Older children practise conversations as they have back-and-forth discussions with the childminder's assistant. They talk about towers that they are building with colourful blocks. For children who are learning English as an additional language, the childminder finds out key words in their home languages and uses these to help their understanding.

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The provision is good

Children listen well and help to take responsibility for their environment, for example, they help to tidy away. They follow the childminder's expectations for their behaviour. Children begin to learn to participate in the daily routine. They listen to instructions to walk to the table for a snack.

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need to do better?

n The childminder recognises that the children need help with their language development and confidence. She encourages all children, including babies, to participate in conversations. The childminder gives the older children time to think and the babies the opportunity to babble. The childminder and her assistant attend local toddler groups with the children. This helps to promote children's social skills and develop their confidence with a wider circle of people. n The childminder prioritises creating a strong bond with all children to ensure that they are happy and ready to learn. Children enjoy familiar books and lift the flaps. Babies are curious to explore their surroundings. They find a tub to shake to hear the noise that it makes. However, sometimes, babies wait in highchairs for extended periods during play activities and become restless. Babies are not always encouraged to move around freely to explore activities.

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need to do better?

n The childminder uses a range of techniques to support older children's creativity and small-muscle skills. Older children concentrate as they explore mark making with crayons and coloured glue. They use their fingers to pick up sequins to stick onto their cards. However, on occasions, activities are not adapted to include babies and meet their stage of development or interests. For example, babies

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need to do better?

13 June 2023 who are interested in sensory play are not always given these experiences. They throw their sheet of card onto the floor and are not consistently engaged in purposeful play and learning. n The childminder provides explanations to the children about her behaviour rules. She focuses on talking about how others feel and respect for belongings. She provides positive praise to promote children's confidence. Children listen to her instructions, such as to sit at the table to eat. n The childminder supports children to learn about healthy lifestyles. Her assistant encourages children to help themselves to rice cakes and berries, as she provides a healthy snack. The childminder demonstrates eating a strawberry. She talks about it being delicious. Children smile as they show the childminder how they eat their blueberries. n Parents speak highly of the friendly childminder and the care and love their

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need to do better?

children receive from her. Parents talk about a child-centred approach and that their children have grown in confidence and are happy. The childminder provides daily updates to parents about children's activities and care arrangements. The childminder shares her policies and procedures with parents to ensure that hey are well informed and involved. n The childminder attends a university course to extend her knowledge of child development. She reflects on her practice with her assistants. Together, they analyse and identify targets to help further improve outcomes for children. For example, they review how to enhance a communication activity to further support younger children's language skills. The childminder plans trips in her minibus and walks to the woods to enhance the experiences for children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant have a good understanding of their responsibilities to keep children safe. They know who to contact if they have a concern about a child's welfare. The childminder ensures that she completes regular safeguarding training to keep her knowledge up to date, for example, about safer sleeping. She understands the process to follow should there be an allegation made against her or her assistants. Children are supervised well. The childminder talks to older children about keeping safe online. She accesses paediatric first-aid training to help her know what to do in a medical emergency.

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should:

n minimise unnecessary waiting times to ensure that babies are engaged in activities and not kept waiting for long periods of time n develop the planning and provision for babies to match their learning needs to

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should:

13 June 2023 ensure that they are engaged in purposeful play and learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY483496 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10264960 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 12 Number of children on roll 10 Date of previous inspection 30 June 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Northampton. She operates all year round, from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualifications at level 5. She works with two assistants.

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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 inspector viewed the provision and discussed with the childminder the safety and suitability of the premises. n The childminder joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about the curriculum and what she wants their 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 and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of her assistants.

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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

13 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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