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 happy and relaxed in this friendly and caring environment. On arrival, they settle quickly and show they understand the childminder's daily routines. Children are confident to explore the environment and freely move between the indoors and outdoors. The childminder ensures the environment is easily accessible, enabling children to make choices in their play. Children have a positive attitude to learning and form good attachments with the childminder. Younger children climb up on the childminder's lap for a cuddle during story time.

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The provision is good

Children develop a love of books as they listen to and join in with stories throughout the day. As the childminder reads, older children copy sounds, saying 'tick tock' when they see a clock, while younger children listen intently. Children develop their small-muscle skills as they help the childminder to safely cut vegetables for snacks and use scissors to snip play dough.

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The provision is good

Children develop their independence skills as the childminder has high expectations of their abilities. They develop their imaginations as they mix coloured play dough and rice, saying, 'This makes a rainbow.' Children are encouraged to show kindness to each other. For example, they help the childminder to hand out plates and cups to their friends at snack time. They learn to share and take turns. Children begin to play cooperatively. They pass bricks to each other as they make a train track and build towers together.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is dedicated to her role and regularly reviews her practice. She has attended various courses to extend her knowledge and further her professional development. As a result, she has adapted the environment to focus on children's interests and enable them to explore activities in more detail. n When children join the setting, the childminder uses an initial assessment and discussions with parents to find out what children can do and plan for their future learning. She regularly assesses children's progress to identify what they need to learn next. Any gaps in children's learning are swiftly identified, including children who need additional support to make good progress. However, the childminder does not always consider children's specific areas of learning when planning activities. n The childminder prepares children for the next stage in their learning and eventual move to school. She encourages children to be independent. Younger

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need to do better?

children learn to use small tools such as scissors, and older children develop their small hand muscles as they peg wet clothes on the washing line after water play. n Children learn to behave well. They follow the childminder's instructions,

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need to do better?

16 June 2023 routines and boundaries and understand what she expects of them. For instance, children respond well when reminded to sit down on chairs. n Partnerships with parents are good. The childminder shares information about children's learning regularly with parents and keeps them up to date on their child's progress. Parents comment that they are happy and their children love attending the childminder's house to share activities with her and their friends. They say the childminder supports them during difficult times. Parents comment on how there are plenty of activities to keep their children entertained and engaged. n As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the childminder places a strong focus on supporting children's language development. She talks to children as they play, describes what they are doing and models new words. For example, the childminder introduces words, such as 'squash' and 'snip', while children are

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need to do better?

playing with play dough. However, she occasionally asks children questions and does not allow them the time to think and respond before she moves the conversation on. n The childminder regularly shares books, stories and songs with children to help them develop language and communication skills. Children join in with familiar phrases, copying the actions as they sing. n Children have regular opportunities to play outdoors in the secure garden, which they explore freely. The childminder provides regular opportunities for children to visit the local community. Children learn about the world around them as they walk in the woods, visit parks and soft-play centres and enjoy trips to the local museum. n The childminder promotes children's good health as she offers healthy snacks and encourages healthy lunches. Children are encouraged to follow good hygiene routines, washing their hands before preparing food and eating. This

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need to do better?

also helps to develop their self-care skills.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder completes safeguarding training online to keep her safeguarding knowledge up to date and reads local safeguarding partnerships updates. She has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and the wider aspects of safeguarding, such as fabricated illness and female genital mutilation. The childminder is aware of the 'Prevent' duty and how people can be drawn into extremism. She recognises potential signs, for example changes in children's behaviour, and knows how and who to report any concerns to. The childminder ensures her home environment is safe and secure. She supports children to learn how to use tools and equipment safely.

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should:

16 June 2023 n allow younger children more time to think and respond to questions n strengthen planning to focus more precisely on what each child will learn from activities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY471124 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10285632 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 6 Number of children on roll 12 Date of previous inspection 12 October 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2013 and lives in the village of Wootton, Northampton. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 5pm, 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. The childminder is registered to work with an assistant.

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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 joined the inspector on a learning walk and discussed how the curriculum supports children's learning. n The children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education, both indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint evaluation of an activity with the childminder. n Parents shared their views of the childminder with the inspector.

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Inspection activities

16 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

16 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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