Childminder in North 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 friendly and welcoming environment. Children develop loving relationships with the childminder. They include her in their play, returning to her when they need comfort or reassurance. The childminder works closely with her assistant, which helps to ensure consistency of care for the children. Children form warm relationships with them and show their affection, giving them frequent cuddles. Children learn to behave well. The childminder and her assistant are strong role models. They say 'please' and 'thank you' and are kind to each other. The childminder offers lots of praise for children's kindness, which helps to raise their self-esteem.

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The provision is good

The childminder has high expectations for children and plans a varied curriculum. She expertly weaves mathematics into children's play. For instance, she talks to children about having more or less play dough, and compares quantities to determine who has the larger amount. The childminder plans opportunities for children to practise new skills. For example, younger children keep trying as they learn how to use scoops to fill up their diggers. They beam with pride when the childminder praises their achievements. As a result, children demonstrate positive attitudes to learning, show persistence and good concentration.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has an accurate knowledge of how each child learns. She uses her ongoing observations when planning challenges for children's next steps in their development. The childminder adapts her interactions with children to support their individual developmental stages. For example, she engages older children in matching numbers and uses this as an opportunity to introduce younger children to counting in order. This means that all children's learning needs are well supported through each activity provided. n The childminder provides children with many opportunities to improve their language and communication skills. She sings familiar songs and encourages children to join in with the words. The childminder extends older children's vocabulary. For example, she models a range of words and explains their meaning. She introduces new words, such as 'casualty' and 'reversing', as children pretend to drive an ambulance during pretend play. As a result,

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need to do better?

children's language skills are developing well. n Children are confident. They freely explore and access resources under the childminder and her assistant's careful guidance. However, the childminder does not make the most of the opportunities for children to practise their independence skills. For example, she does not allow younger children to put on their own shoes or let them wash their own hands when they are dirty. n The childminder is committed to her own professional development. She attends

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need to do better?

26 July 2023 regular training, such as oral hygiene and child development, to keep her knowledge relevant and up to date. She continually reflects on her own practice and looks for ways she can improve experiences for the children in her care. n The childminder develops secure partnerships with parents. Parents speak very highly of the childminder and the care and learning their children receive. Regular communication means that parents receive updates on their children's progress. This helps to provide a consistent approach to support children's development at home. n The childminder knows how to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She gathers information from the parents and liaises with the professionals involved. This ensures the continuity of care and education for children. n The childminder understands the importance of children having good social skills. For example, the childminder plans trips for children to visit the local

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need to do better?

playgroups where they can meet up with their friends. This helps the children learn how to play collaboratively with others. As a result, children interact well and are respectful of each other. Children have the social skills they need for future learning. n The childminder's partnership working is effective. She has built relationships with the local school to ensure children are prepared for the next step in their education. However, she has not fully considered how she will support children who move to schools out of the area. This hinders the continuity in children's care and learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant have good knowledge about how to keep children safe. They recognise the signs and symptoms of the main types of abuse and know what steps to take to protect the children in their setting. The childminder ensures that suitability checks for her assistants are in place, and that they are trained in paediatric first aid and safeguarding. 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. She supervises children closely at all times.

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should:

n maximise opportunities for children to be independent n strengthen partnership working with schools to help provide all children with continuity in their care and learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 220785 Local authority North Northamptonshire Inspection number 10279927 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 12 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection 19 September 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2000 and lives in Corby, Northamptonshire. She operates her provision all year round, from 8.30am to 5.30pm, Tuesday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works 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 setting. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure that those 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 is having on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with the childminder, assistant and children during the inspection. n The inspector spoke to parents and took account of their written views. 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

26 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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