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 are at the heart of everything the childminder does. They are happy and quickly settle to explore the wide range of activities on offer, inside and out. Older children confidently show visitors their play dough creations, demonstrating that they feel safe and secure. Children learn to make independent choices in their play. For example, babies choose to look at toy farm animals as the childminder teaches them the sounds animals make. Older children develop their small-muscle skills as they make marks with colouring pens, and the childminder helps them recognise letters in their names.

p.2

The provision is good

Children demonstrate an interest in spiders as they look at pictures together and count the spider's legs. The childminder uses their interest to help extend children's mathematical understanding. She asks the children to count how many legs they have as a group. Children practise simple calculations as they take turns counting combinations of children's legs. The children learn to behave well and listen to the childminder's instructions. For example, they wait and put on sunscreen before going outside to play. They listen to the childminder explain about being safe in the sun and follow her directions to come back in from the garden when it gets too hot.

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need to do better?

n The childminder uses books to enhance conversations with the children and for children to learn new words. For example, she shows children pictures of a honeybee as they learn about bees in the garden. She places toy bees in a rice tray to further their interest. She encourages children to concentrate on what they can hear as they scoop rice to cover the insects. The childminder uses words such as 'sprinkle' and says, 'It sounds like rain.' n The childminder teaches children early mathematics. She talks about 'big', 'medium' and 'overflowing' as children pour water into containers. She points out numbers on the side of the measuring pots, and the children enthusiastically recite them. However, on other occasions, the childminder does not challenge older children and help them to build on their own ideas and interests. For example, older children use their imagination and create games together as they

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need to do better?

put curtain rings on toy dogs. The childminder distracts children as she interrupts their play and encourages them to build with blocks instead. n Children are supported to learn about the world around them as the childminder provides a range of trips and outings. The childminder plans trips in her minibus. Children learn about nature as they walk in the country park, select books during visits to the local library, view trains and enjoy canal walks. n Children develop a positive attitude to learning and generally behave well. The childminder provides consistent messages regarding her behaviour expectations,

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need to do better?

13 June 2023 and children learn what is expected of them. For example, the childminder encourages children to be respectful to each other. She reminds children to use 'kind hands' and be considerate of each other. n The childminder supports children to be confident in managing their self-care and keeping themselves healthy. For example, the childminder helps older children to safely use knives to butter bread and make sandwiches. The childminder teaches children about a healthy diet and has conversations with children about the ingredients used to make lemon curd. The children learn how sugar damages their teeth as they talk about not eating sweets and eating healthy food. n The inspiring childminder meticulously reviews and reflects on her practice with her co-childminder. Together, they discuss what works well and what to improve even further. For example, the childminder identifies that the children move

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need to do better?

pretend food from the toy oven to the corner of the room. The childminder rearranges the play area to support this interest and further help children engage in purposeful play. n The childminder provides dedicated support for parents and children. She shares books, activity sacks and videos of her reading stories for parents to use with children to further support their learning at home. n Parents state they are happy with the care that the childminder provides for their children and that they could not ask for more. They talk of children arriving happily and going home happy.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder knows her obligation to keep children free from harm. She knows how to identify the signs and symptoms of abuse. The childminder understands the action to take if she has a concern about a child's welfare, including concerns such as county lines and the 'Prevent' duty. She is aware of the procedure to follow if she has a concern about her co-childminder. The childminder helps older children to understand how to keep safe online. She talks to children about fire safety and how to keep themselves safe, such as if a dog approaches them when out in the local community. The childminder attends training courses to refresh her knowledge, such as on safer sleeping.

p.3

should:

n support older children's interests to help them develop their own ideas and build on what they already know.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY489852 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10280407 Type of provision Childminder

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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 13 Date of previous inspection 29 September 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015. She works with her co-childminder in the Far Cotton area of Northampton. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 4. 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 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 their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector spoke with the childminder about the leadership and management of the provision. 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 spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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