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 are settled and relaxed in this welcoming home-from-home setting. Children's emotional needs are met well. When children are tired or hungry the childminder recognises this and offers appropriate care and attention. Settling in arrangements are flexible and reflect the individual needs of children. When children are unsure of new people in the setting they snuggle into the childminder and soon become calm and settled as she sings to them and offers soothing words. This helps children to develop strong bonds and confidence in their surroundings. Children are provided with an ambitious curriculum, reflective of their individual needs and interests, resulting in good progress for all who attend.

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The provision is good

Children show enthusiasm for their learning and sustain their attention during activities. Overall, they share the equipment well and are learning the importance of turn taking. Two children playing with the cars and a garage display good behaviour as they take it in turns to use the lift on the garage. The childminder praises them highly for this. supporting children's confidence and self-esteem.

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The provision is good

Children's good communication is supported well and the childminder helps them to learn new words. During story time she encourages younger children to repeat what she says and asks older children to predict and explain what will happen next. Children use words such as, disappear and created when retelling stories.

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need to do better?

n The childminder provides an interesting and varied curriculum that helps to build on what children know and can do. She works closely with parents to establish what it is children can do when they first come to her, using this to target and drive learning. The childminder understands what skills children need to have when they start school and works hard to ensure children are ready for this next stage. n Children show good independence skills. They take themselves to the toilet, flushing this and washing their hands afterwards without being asked. Children help themselves to their own cutlery and cups at mealtimes, pour their own drinks and handle and use cutlery appropriately. n During play the childminder starts to introduce mathematical language. For example, when children line the cars up on the play garage, she counts how many there are with them. She introduces new concepts, such as 'next to' and

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need to do better?

'behind'. However, she does not always consider how to help older children use numbers and counting more in everyday play. For example, during story time she does not give children opportunities to count objects, telling them this information instead. Therefore, more able children have less opportunities to build on what they already know and can do.

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need to do better?

30 November 2023 n Children display high levels of imagination and engagement. During a story of 'The three little pigs', children are each given props of a house and pig to use to tell the story. However, older, more confident children take over during this time, which does not give the younger, less confident children opportunities to take part. This sometimes leads to younger children being less focused and engaged. n The childminder ensures that she keeps mandatory training up to date, such as first aid and safeguarding, to help to ensure she keeps children safe. She has most recently completed a course on working with children who may have special educational needs and/or disabilities. She works alongside her co- childminder to consider what training would be best explored to support the needs of the children in the setting. n Children's health and hygiene skills are supported well. The childminder reminds

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need to do better?

children to use tissues to blow their nose and to wash their hands after using the toilet and before meals. During meals they talk about the foods that are good for them and 'not so good'. Children are offered fruit at every mealtime and discuss with the childminder how this helps them to grow 'strong'.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder attends regular safeguarding training and has a secure knowledge of how to keep children safe from harm. She knows how to identify a child who may be at risk and how to report this appropriately. Daily checks are completed of the areas children have access to, both indoors and outside, to ensure areas children access are free from hazards. The childminder helps children to learn about keeping themselves safe through planned activities and walks in the community.

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should:

n make the most of opportunities to help older children improve their skills in counting and solving simple mathematical problems n help children to understand the importance of waiting for their turn and allowing others to take part in activities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY494517 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10300926 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 8 Date of previous inspection 4 January 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Duston, Northampton. She operates Monday to Friday, from 8am until 6pm, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides early years funded education for two-, three- and four-year-old children and holds a level 3 qualification. She works alongside a co-childminder.

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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 around areas of her home used by children and explained how she supports children's learning and development. n A joint observation was carried out by the childminder and the inspector. n The inspector observed the quality of the interactions between the childminder and the children and assessed the impact on children's learning. n Parents shared their views with the inspector through written feedback. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request, including evidence of paediatric first-aid training and public liability insurance.

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Inspection activities

30 November 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

30 November 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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