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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children quickly settle in the childminder's home. She provides cuddles and reassurance to them, and they soon happily explore the activities on offer. Younger children are confident to speak to and engage with visitors. For example, they say 'another one' as they share with visitors toy shapes that they have collected, demonstrating that they feel safe and secure.

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The provision is good

Children practise their large-muscle skills as they play in the garden. They sit on ride-on cars and scooters, and the childminder teaches children how to balance and use their legs to move along.

p.2

The provision is good

Children, including those who are learning English as an additional language, develop speaking skills well. For example, the childminder allows children time to repeat the words that they hear. She says words, such as 'up' and 'down', as she helps younger children to ride on the see-saw. Older children have back-and-forth conversations with the childminder. They sail boats in the water and hear words, such as 'under the bridge'.

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The provision is good

Children learn to respect each other as the childminder teaches them to think about the feelings of others. For example, children jump on the trampoline, and the childminder encourages them to share and take turns with their younger friends.

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need to do better?

n The childminder focuses on teaching children to understand and speak. She supports younger children with saying their first words. For example, she provides simple commentary as children press a doorbell and open the play house door. The childminder knows how to seek the help of other professionals, such as a speech therapist, for children who may need additional support. She uses the extra activity ideas that other professionals provide to help to promote children's language development. n The childminder encourages children to practise their small-muscle skills. For example, she supports younger children to learn to carefully hold an open cup to drink. She teaches older children more-advanced skills. She shows them how to cut around difficult corners with scissors and how to twist up the glue to spread onto their picture. n The childminder teaches children about similarities and differences between

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need to do better?

different cultures. For example, she encourages children to create pictures of patterned hands as she explains that some communities decorate their hands as part of their celebrations for Eid. However, the childminder does not always provide age-appropriate information for the children. The detail she provides is

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need to do better?

28 June 2023 too difficult for children to understand and they become confused. n The childminder supports children to use their imagination during play. Children show an interest in large boxes and the childminder helps them with ideas for their play, such as pretending the box is a car. However, on other occasions, the childminder does not allow children time to work out how to solve problems. For example, children park a ride-on tractor into a small space behind the trampoline and it becomes stuck. The childminder quickly intervenes without challenging children to think of a solution for themselves. n The childminder promotes children's positive attitudes to learning. She congratulates children as they proudly demonstrate their skills. She teaches children her expectations and discusses unwanted behaviours. For example, children listen as she explains not to go under the trampoline because of the risk

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need to do better?

of injury. n The childminder teaches children to become independent and to make choices, to help them with their eventual move to school. For example, she encourages children to take off their own shoes and hang their coats up when they arrive. She supports older children to wash their own hands before making a choice of having apples or bananas for a snack. n The childminder reflects on her practice and strives to improve. For example, she evaluates children's engagement in learning activities, and plans how she could do things differently next time. She seeks advice from the local authority and keeps informed by reading articles, books, and newsletters. n Parents speak highly of the childminder and of her help with children who are learning to speak English. Parents state that the childminder supports them with advice on children's potty training at home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder knows her obligations to keep children safe. She can identify the signs and symptoms of abuse. She knows the action to take if she has a concern about a child's welfare, including if she is worried that a child is being exposed to radical or extreme views or county lines. She understands the procedure to follow if she is concerned about another adult working with the children. The childminder completes risk assessments, such as for her pet dog and outings. She talks to children about road safety and safety around unknown adults. She attends safeguarding courses to update her knowledge.

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should:

n improve how activities that help children to develop their understanding of the world are organised so that they benefit from age-appropriate learning about

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should:

28 June 2023 other cultures n enhance the opportunities for children to independently solve problems during play.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2629252 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10285873 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2021 and lives in Upton, Northampton. She operates her service from 8am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a childcare qualification at level 5. The childminder provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

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 their curriculum and what they want the 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 spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the

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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

28 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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