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

The childminder provides a warm and welcoming environment where children thrive in her care. Children develop close relationships with the childminder and include her in their play, returning to her when they need comfort or reassurance. The childminder offers a curriculum that builds on children's skills. She provides adult-led activities that allow children to recap their prior learning, which helps them to make good progress. The childminder provides opportunities for children to develop their early writing skills. For example, children enjoy using brushes and water to make marks on the chalkboard. They explore making different patterns on the pavement by using the wheels of the toy diggers. Children thoroughly enjoy being in the garden, and they are supported by the childminder to develop good physical skills. They learn to climb the ladder on the slide, negotiate obstacles as they run around the garden while playing chase and pedal a tricycle.

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The provision is good

Children learn to behave well as the childminder helps them to play cooperatively. The childminder plans activities that encourage children to share and take turns. For example, children are encouraged to share brushes when washing toy cars. They take turns with the big brush and pass it to their friends when they have finished. Children listen carefully to the childminder, and they are reminded to use good manners at every opportunity. The childminder supports children to develop high levels of self-esteem and confidence as she offers them regular praise and encouragement.

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need to do better?

n The childminder knows the children well and understands their next steps in learning. She plans adult-led activities which enable children to build on what they can already do. However, the childminder does not always carefully consider children's learning needs when planning child-led activities. Children do not always have access to materials and resources to support their independent learning. As a result, children struggle to extend their play ideas and practice what they already know. n The childminder supports children's early communication and language skills. She helps children to extend their vocabulary by giving meaning to their actions as she speaks to them. For example, while children paint, the childminder talks about how the colours mix as they print with sponges. This has a positive impact on how children retain and gain knowledge. n The childminder provides good quality books. Children choose familiar books and

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need to do better?

stories for the childminder to read to them. As the childminder reads, she describes what is happening in the pictures and reads with enthusiasm. Children join in with repeated phrases as the childminder encourages them to act out parts of the story. This helps to maintain children's interests as they develop

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need to do better?

4 July 2023 their early literacy skills. n The childminder promotes children's knowledge of their local community effectively. She plans trips for children to visit the local playgroups where they can develop their social skills. The childminder takes children to woodland areas to learn about different trees and flowers. This helps children develop an understanding of the wider world. n The childminder talks to the children about the healthy food they have in their lunch boxes. However, the snack she provides is not always nutritionally balanced. As a result, children are not learning consistent messages about the importance of healthy food choices. n The childminder supports children's early mathematics and helps them to build on their knowledge of shapes. Children recall previous learning as they identify a triangle in the environment and make the shape with their hands. The childminder copies and encourages the children to name other shapes and see if

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need to do better?

they can make them with their hands. n The childminder builds positive relationships with parents. Parents say they feel well informed about their child's experiences and routines. This helps parents understand how they can continue to support their children's learning at home. n The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who need extra support. She gathers information from the parents and liaises with school staff to support children effectively. This ensures the continuity of care and education for children. n The childminder helps children with their self-care routines. She gently reminds children to wash their hands after using the toilet and where to find a tissue when their nose is runny. This positively impacts their health and independent self-care skills. n

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a clear understanding of her role in protecting children from harm and reporting any concerns that arise. She recognises the signs and symptoms of the different types of abuse and knows what steps to take to protect the children in her setting. The childminder has completed relevant training to secure her knowledge and understanding of her role and responsibilities. She provides a safe and secure environment and ensures that children are protected from any potential hazards. The childminder's home is clean and well maintained, and she takes care to ensure that any risks to children are minimised, both within her home and during outings.

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should:

4 July 2023 n develop the planning and provision for children's independent learning to focus more sharply on enabling them to make choices and practice new skills n support children to understand the importance of healthy food choices.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY384170 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10280156 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 11 Date of previous inspection 11 September 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2008 and is located in East Hunsbury, Northampton. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank 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.

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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 showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures that they are safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intention for children's learning. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the curriculum has been implemented and the impact that this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with the childminder and the children during the inspection. n The inspector spoke to parents and took account of parents' written views.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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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

4 July 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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