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 welcomed into the home-from-home setting by the warm and friendly childminder. She provides an inviting environment with a rich variety of resources to encourage children to explore and make independent choices from a young age. Children develop strong bonds with the childminder. They go to her for reassurance or cuddles as they play, showing they feel safe and secure in her care. Children interact well with the childminder when they find a snail on the decking in the garden. She talks to children with enthusiasm about taking care of living creatures. Children respond with excitement by shouting, 'The snail is hiding in his house!' She talks to the children about the nature around them, the sound of the wind and the birds in the sky.

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The provision is good

Children show their independence skills as the childminder gives them the opportunity to choose and prepare their own snack. They successfully spread butter onto their crumpet and tell visitors that they are delicious. The kind and reassuring childminder encourages children to lead their own play. Children explore the play dough tray, which the childminder sets up with spaghetti, cutters, rolling pins and scents of orange and mint. Children are confident to add other resources, such as water, sand and paintbrushes to the activity and use them to explore fully. Children develop good manipulative skills and use their imagination as they create their own hedgehogs. They show high levels of concentration and engage well in the activities provided by the childminder.

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need to do better?

n Children benefit from a well-thought-out curriculum that covers all areas of learning. The childminder gathers detailed information from parents when children first start. This enables the childminder to decide what children need to learn next, and she uses this information to plan her teaching. The childminder knows the children well and uses their interests to engage them in activities, helping them to become engrossed in their play. n The childminder supports children's communication and language development well. For example, she repeats words to children to ensure they hear the correct pronunciation. The childminder talks to the children, describing and commenting on what they are doing. She introduces rich vocabulary during a colour-mixing activity, such as teal, emerald and bubbly, which contributes to children's developing language skills. n The childminder introduces early mathematical concepts from a young age. She

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need to do better?

uses lots of opportunities to count during child-led and adult-led play. The childminder introduces the concept of size when they talk about the stone snake they have made in the garden, using words, such as 'bigger' and 'smaller'. They sing number songs and rhymes to further support children's counting skills.

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need to do better?

23 June 2023 n The childminder supports children's critical thinking by asking lots of open questions. For example, the childminder asks, 'What is going to happen next?' when children add water and food colouring to flour. However, at times, the childminder does not always give children time to process information or time to respond to the questions she asks. n Children's self-esteem and confidence are well supported as they receive lots of praise for their achievements. For example, when children say they cannot open the bubble bath bottle, the childminder encourages them to keep trying. She says, 'Well done. I knew you could do it. I'm very proud of you.' n Children benefit from a range of outings to widen their experiences, such as visits to local country parks and the library. They meet up with other childminders and their minded children, which supports their social skills. As a result, children develop confidence and independence skills when visiting new

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need to do better?

places. n The childminder works well with parents to ensure she builds positive relationships with children, helping to promote their emotional well-being. Parents speak highly of the childminder. They say their children are happy, and they can see that their children are making great progress. Parents comment that the children are very well cared for, and the childminder is kind, professional and caring. They say that they feel well informed regarding their children's development. n The childminder supports children effectively to have a good understanding of self-care and good personal hygiene. She works closely with parents and supports children while potty training. Children develop these skills quickly and confidently use the toilet, wash their hands and put their shoes on from a young age. The childminder teaches children about oral hygiene, and they carry out daily toothbrushing, which further supports children's health and independence.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. She has a secure knowledge of local safeguarding procedures should she have concerns about the welfare of a child. The childminder knows the procedures to follow to report concerns about the conduct of an adult working with children. She makes routine checks of her home to removes any hazards or risks to children, ensuring they always remain safe. She involves the children in her daily risk assessments. The childminder has a good knowledge of the risk of radicalisation.

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should:

23 June 2023 n give children more time to think about and process information and allow time for them to respond.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY490652 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10280426 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 4 Date of previous inspection 26 September 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 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an early years qualification at level 2.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children. n The inspector carried out a joint evaluation of an activity with the childminder. n The inspector spoke to the childminder and children throughout the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning.

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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

23 June 2023 23 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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