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

Children enjoy being in the childminder's caring and welcoming setting. They show a secure sense of belonging and develop good relationships with the childminder. When visitors arrive at the setting, the childminder is quick to reassure the children that all is well and encourages them to stand next to her to help them feel safe. The childminder implements settling-in arrangements effectively, which enables her to get to know the children and their parents well. The relationships she builds helps her settle children who are new to the setting.

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The provision is good

The childminder encourages the children to problem solve. Children develop good concentration skills as they complete challenging puzzles and show good dexterity and perseverance as they complete the task. Children develop an understanding of mathematics as they thread beads onto strings. The childminder encourages them to name colours and count how many beads they have. She uses mathematical language, such as 'less' and 'more', to develop children's understanding further. Overall, the childminder's curriculum enables the children to learn well.

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The provision is good

Children learn to behave well and receive praise from the childminder for their achievements. For example, when children build complex models from small bricks, the childminder tells them how clever they are and how well they have done. This helps to develop children's self-esteem.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is committed to her professional development. She completes a range of courses, mostly online, to further develop her knowledge of how children learn and improve the quality of education. The childminder recently completed a webinar on how to support children's understanding of mathematics. She uses the knowledge she gained to help children develop their awareness of numbers, shapes and problem-solving. n Overall, the childminder implements a curriculum that is tailored to children's learning. She knows the children well and understands what they can do and what they need to learn next. The childminder ensures that children develop their understanding through adult-led activities. However, she is sometimes overly directive about what children should do next. She does not always encourage them to make choices and develop their own ideas. This does not support children's independent thinking or enable them to achieve the highest

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need to do better?

possible learning outcomes. n The childminder ensures that areas children have access to are safe and suitable for their care, learning and play. She keeps her knowledge of child protection up to date to ensure that she is able to act appropriately should she have a concern about a child's welfare to support their well-being.

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need to do better?

18 April 2024 n All children who attend speak English as an additional language. Overall, the childminder promotes their communication and language skills well. She reads books and sings songs in familiar languages. The childminder talks to children in English as they play, which helps them develop their listening and understanding. However, she occasionally talks over the children, which means they struggle to practise their speaking skills. n Children enjoy being outside and most play takes place in the covered outside area adjacent to the childminder's garden. Here, children have opportunities to play with a range of play equipment to help ignite their curiosity. Children develop good small-muscle skills. They use bricks to construct intricate designs and use knives safely to cut up fruit. However, the childminder plans fewer activities to help children develop their large-muscle skills and challenge their

p.2

need to do better?

abilities further. n The childminder builds effective partnerships with the parents of the children in her care. She shares a good range of information regarding the service she provides and seeks information on what children can do before they start in her care. She uses this information to tailor the environment to the children's needs and interests. Parents are given ideas on how to extend children's learning at home. For example, the childminder suggests reading books to extend children's speaking skills.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

should:

n allow children to make choices in how they want to play to develop their ideas and enhance their independent thinking n strengthen skills in supporting children who speak English as an additional language to help them develop their speaking skills n provide more opportunities for children to develop their large-muscle skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY541896 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10312201 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 1 Date of previous inspection 23 April 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Northampton. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6.30pm, 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 childminder. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures that they are safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n The inspector spoke to the children during the inspection. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

18 April 2024 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 April 2024 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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