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 places children at the heart of this welcoming setting. She is kind and nurturing and develops caring relationships with the children. Children seek out the childminder for comfort. They cuddle up on her lap as they share a story. The childminder encourages children to persist at tasks and to problem-solve to find solutions. Children explore adding different amounts of water to sand until they are able to mould it into the shape of a ball. Children show excitement when they achieve the task and master new skills. The childminder provides younger children with finger food to enable them to feed themselves. Older children hand out water bottles and cups to the children and use safety knives to cut up their snacks. This supports the children to develop their independence and self-care skills.

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The provision is good

The childminder emphasises supporting children to manage their behaviour from the moment they start. She models how to behave, which helps children learn how to interact with others and behave well. Older children learn to be kind as they invite the younger children to join their activities. They demonstrate the skills they have learned as they explain how to take turns when throwing a ball into a hoop. The childminder praises children for sharing, taking turns and using good manners. This helps to build children's confidence and self-esteem.

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need to do better?

n The childminder provides a broad curriculum and plans activities that children engage in. Children recall prior learning as they talk about different fruits at snack time. They remember when they previously picked blackberries and helped the childminder to make a fruit crumble. The childminder completes regular assessments and uses her knowledge of the children's development to plan their next steps. As a result, she ensures that children make good progress. n Overall, children are becoming confident communicators. The childminder reads children stories, plans singing sessions and encourages children to retell familiar tales. She talks to children and asks them questions to encourage their thinking. However, the childminder does not always support children's correct pronunciation of words. This can impact on their developing language skills. n The childminder values children's views and interests when planning activities.

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need to do better?

She uses the information she gains from her ongoing observations of children to help adapt her environment to build on children's interests. For example, the children show an interest in baking. The childminder adapts the outside area by providing recipe cards and equipment for the children to make pretend cakes. As a result, children are focused and engaged in their learning. n The childminder knows how to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She recognises the importance of working with other professionals, such as health visitors and local teachers, to support children's

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need to do better?

6 September 2023 learning. For example, with the help of the local school, the childminder creates stories to help children prepare for the next stage in their education. n The childminder supports children to make good progress in their mathematics development. She weaves mathematical vocabulary into her interactions with the children. As the children pretend to make cakes, she talks about how many eggs they will need and if they need more or less flour. n The childminder works very well with her co-childminder to share ideas and plan activities for children. She engages with professional development opportunities to further enhance her skills and knowledge. The childminder is reflective and undertakes her own evaluations to help improve her provision. For example, she adapts the playroom to provide a sensory area to meet the developmental needs of the younger children. n The childminder encourages parents to be actively involved in their children's

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need to do better?

learning. She shares regular information about children's progress and provides ideas on how parents can support learning at home. This helps to provide a consistent approach to supporting children's development at home. n The childminder promotes children's understanding of healthy lifestyles. Children eat nutritious, home-cooked meals. They learn the importance of washing their hands and following good hygiene routines. The childminder organises trips to support children to develop their physical skills, manage risks and build confidence. The children learn to climb trees, roll down hills and feed the ducks.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the signs and symptoms that indicate a child is at risk of harm. She understands the procedures to follow and the appropriate agencies to contact should there be concerns about a child's safety or well-being. The childminder knows the procedures to follow if an allegation is made against herself or her co-childminder. The childminder's home is clean and well maintained, and she ensures that any risks to children are minimised, both within her home and during outings. The childminder supervises children closely at all times.

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should:

n strengthen interactions with children to further support their developing speech and pronunciation of words.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY489854 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10280408 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 20 Date of previous inspection 29 September 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015. She works with her co-childminder in the Far Cotton area of Northampton. The childminder operates all year round, from 7.30am until 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family 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 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 inspector took into consideration the written reviews provided by parents. n The inspector spoke with the childminder and the children during the inspection. 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

6 September 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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