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 arrive at the setting smiling and ready to play. This is because the childminder and her co-minder provide a welcoming environment, where children are happy, safe and confident to express themselves. The childminder knows the children very well and ensures they develop close bonds with herself and her co- minder. Children readily go to them both for cuddles and confidently seek them out to share their play experiences.

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The provision is good

The childminder organises the daily routines using a balance of indoor and outdoor play experiences to support children's good developmental progress. Children enjoy exploring the garden, where the childminder provides activities which help them to develop their physical skills. For instance, children throw beanbags into a large bucket to develop their large-arm muscles. Young children learn to climb on equipment and navigate their way around obstacles on scooters. They confidently take risks and show a good awareness of safety.

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The provision is good

The childminder has high expectations of children's behaviour and encourages them to develop positive attitudes to learning. She provides age-appropriate activities, based on their interests, to engage children in learning. For example, the childminder provides car-themed beads to encourage threading to develop small- hand muscles. Children learn to be independent. They manage personal hygiene tasks and put on their shoes before going outside. The childminder offers lots of praise and encouragement to support children's persistence and self-esteem. Children proudly share their achievements when they complete a task independently, displaying big smiles to their friends.

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need to do better?

n The childminder plans a curriculum that takes account of what individual children need to learn next. She provides a variety of adult-led and child-initiated learning experiences for children, which cover all areas of learning. The childminder teaches children the skills they need to be ready for the next stage of their learning and starting school. For example, they are encouraged to be independent during their daily routine. n When children first start attending the setting, the childminder talks to parents about children's home routines, likes, and interests. She observes children to help understand what they know and can already do and uses this information to plan experiences that will support their development. Children are making good progress. n Overall, the childminder supports children's communication and language well. She engages the children in conversations and encourages them to recall past

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need to do better?

events, such as family holidays. Children join in singing songs and enjoy stories.

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need to do better?

10 July 2023 However, the childminder does not always use these opportunities to extend and expand children's vocabulary. n Children consistently behave well. The childminder acts as a good role model for children to copy and learn from her. For example, they use please and thank you at appropriate times. The children are caring and respectful to one another. They show support as they high five each other's achievements. n The childminder uses celebrations and special events during the year for children to learn about some cultural festivals. In addition, she purchases books that reflect some of the home languages spoken by children. However, her curriculum does not yet include opportunities for all children who speak English as an additional language to recognise, value and share their languages, home traditions and backgrounds. n The childminder provides opportunities for children to learn about the world

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need to do better?

around them. Children regularly visit woodlands, parks and a local music group. They visit playgroups and mix with other children and their childminders. This helps children to develop their social skills in larger groups. n The partnership with parents is good. The childminder provides daily verbal updates to share information with parents on what their children have done during the day. Parents enjoy the digital photos they receive, saying they share these with their children to prompt conversations at home. The childminder shares ideas on how parents can extend their child's learning at home. Parents state they value this support. n The childminder and her co-minder reflect on their practice at the end of each day. They evaluate each other's practices and make improvements, which positively impact the planned activities they provide for children. For instance, they recently added a sheltered outdoor area, so children who prefer to learn

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need to do better?

outdoors can access the outdoors in all weathers.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder is confident in recognising the signs that indicate a child is at risk of harm. She understands the procedures to follow when reporting a concern about a child or when an allegation is made against herself, her co-minder, or a member of her household. The childminder completes regular training to keep her safeguarding knowledge up to date. She is aware of local safeguarding concerns, such as county lines and the 'Prevent' duty. The childminder carries out regular risk assessments of her home. She assesses risks when taking the children on trips into the local community. This helps her to keep the children safe.

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should:

10 July 2023 n strengthen support for children to build on the range of words they know and to practise their language skills n help children use their home languages, value their backgrounds and learn about each other's cultures and communities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY440446 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10276556 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 20 July 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2012 and is located in Abington, Northampton. She operates all year round, from 8am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. She works with a co-minder.

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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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure they are safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their curriculum. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while with the childminder. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on

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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

10 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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