Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in the calm, truly nurturing environment created by the childminder. She expertly tunes in to each child, adapting her practice and activities to suit them. This contributes significantly to children feeling secure and settled, assured that their needs are understood and always met. Children readily develop the skills that support their ability to learn. They engage confidently in play, positively relishing new experiences and challenges. For example, older children build small blocks until they reach the same height as wooden animals. They persevere and use their excellent language skills as they exclaim 'It's smaller than the elephant, we need one more cube, now it's taller'.

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The provision is outstanding

Children mirror the childminder's excellent example and are naturally kind and considerate. For instance, older children play very gently with the younger ones, spontaneously including them in their play and handing them toys. The childminder supports children in assessing risks, helping them to gain an excellent understanding of safety. For instance, children assess the risks before climbing trees, knowing how far they can safely climb. The childminder sensitively promotes children's learning as they play, extending this to all areas. For instance, children are captivated as they listen to a story about teeth cleaning. Even very young children join in as they pretend to clean their top, bottom, front and back teeth.

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need to do better?

n The childminder meticulously reviews her work, helping her to continue to make meaningful improvements. She carries out research and completes an extensive range of training to further develop her knowledge and teaching skills. n All children make excellent progress and are exceptionally well prepared for school. The childminder is highly perceptive in her assessments of each child's progress and fully understands what they need to learn next. She offers children stimulating play opportunities that aid them in taking the next step in their learning. The childminder precisely monitors children's progress and ensures that no child falls behind in their learning. n The childminder considers children's needs and interests in all that she does. She carefully sequences activities, so that children thoroughly enjoy their play, building on and practising their skills and knowledge. For example, young children develop control of their hand muscles as they lift flaps and discover

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need to do better?

animal pictures underneath. They are enthralled when they later see the same animals in a book and then again when they unwrap them as 'presents'. They develop their communication skills as they competently remember the animals and make the corresponding sounds. n Books are an integral part of everyday play and children of all ages show great pleasure in accessing these. Young children hold their own books and turn the

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need to do better?

18 September 2023 pages as they listen intently to a story. The childminder uses every opportunity to promote children's learning. For example, their love of moving objects in and out of containers is reflected as they move books from a basket. They pause as they examine the books and soon become engrossed in looking at these in detail. n The childminder confidently builds on children's play. After noting the children enjoying moving like animals and exploring wrapping paper, she provides bubble wrap. Children laugh as they stomp along the wrap like an elephant. They work out how to run their hands along the bubbles to make a squeaking sound, and develop their early communication skills as they try to replicate this. n The childminder makes excellent use of children's interests to help extend their learning. For example, young children interested in hats enjoy books about the hats and clothing worn by different cultures, helping to build their awareness of

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need to do better?

differences. n The childminder pays meticulous attention to all play areas, carefully ensuring that these closely relate to children's current needs and interests. For example, older children are proud when they correctly identify each number on a number display. Younger ones practise their physical skills as they stand to explore this colourful display. n Parents speak very highly of the childminder. They report that her communication with them is excellent. This enables them to inform her of children's progress and activities at home and to receive individual support in continuing to extend their children's development. Parents state that children are offered 'exciting, challenging and stimulating activities every day' and feel that the childminder 'fosters an atmosphere of exploration and fun'.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder demonstrates an excellent knowledge of safeguarding. She completes frequent training and puts together additional supporting information, helping to ensure her knowledge is always up to date. The childminder understands how to recognise any concerns about children's welfare and knows how to report these to the correct professional without delay. She appreciates additional safeguarding issues, such as radicalisation and the possible risks associated with use of the internet, and takes effective action to protect children. The childminder understands the procedure to follow should any allegations be made about her or household members.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY427319 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10295448 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 3 Date of previous inspection 14 December 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2011 and lives in Northampton. She operates during term time only, from 7.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder 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 setting. n The inspector observed activities and assessed the impact these have on children's learning. She talked with the childminder about how the early years provision is organised. n The childminder and inspector discussed and reviewed a number of activities. n The inspector viewed relevant documentation, including the safeguarding procedures and the suitability of household members. n The inspector talked with children at appropriate times throughout the inspection and considered their views. She reviewed written feedback from parents.

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Inspection activities

18 September 2023 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

18 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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