Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Inadequate Behaviour and attitudes Inadequate Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

p.1

The provision is inadequate

The childminder has failed to provide Ofsted with the necessary information to enable an assessment of her assistants' suitability. This means that their suitability to work with the children has not been verified. Although the childminder has been informed, she has yet to provide the correct documentation. The breaches to the safeguarding and welfare requirements mean that children are not protected from potential harm.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children happily engage in play with some activities and toys. However, the childminder's lack of knowledge of what her curriculum is and weaknesses in the design and implementation of the curriculum mean children's learning needs are not consistently met, particularly the needs of the older children. The childminder organises daily activities, such as making play dough with the children and colouring in pictures from a book. However, she does not have a secure enough knowledge or understanding of the seven areas of learning to support children during these activities. She does not plan an effective and purposeful environment to help children to make the best possible progress, including those children in receipt of additional funding.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

However, the childminder and her assistants are warm and caring towards the children. Children happily seek them out for reassurance or a cuddle. Children's behaviour is generally good. The childminder and her assistants use calm voices to support younger children to share and take turns with their friends. They talk about good behaviour choices and are quick to praise positive behaviour. This supports children with their emerging emotional development.

p.2

need to do better?

n Although the childminder demonstrates a knowledge of safeguarding policy and procedures, she has not provided Ofsted with the correct information to approve the suitability of two of her assistants. The childminder has not waited for confirmation of her assistants' suitability before including them in the ratios or allowing them to have unsupervised contact with children. In addition, the childminder has not notified Ofsted of recently appointed assistants. As a result, Ofsted is unable to determine their suitability to care for children. n The childminder has a general overview of children's learning and development. However, due to her basic understanding of the seven areas of learning, she is unable to provide a carefully thought-out curriculum. The childminder is able to describe some of the things she wants children in her care to learn. For example, she uses tummy time for babies to encourage them to roll over, sit up and crawl.

p.2

need to do better?

However, the activities she plans do not take into account what the older children know and what they need to learn next. Consequently, not all children

p.2

need to do better?

28 May 2024 make the progress they are capable of. n The childminder explains how she uses observations and information from parents to assess children's starting points. However, she does not use information to plan for children's next steps in learning, particularly for the older children. Some incidental learning takes place while children play. For example, children talk about the different colours of building blocks. However, older children spend a lot of time amusing themselves as there are limited resources available to keep them stimulated and support their learning. Therefore, children's play lacks purpose and they do not have the opportunity to build consistently on what they already know and can do. n The childminder and her assistants interact enthusiastically with children. They repeat keywords and phrases back to children. They stimulate the babies by talking to them and singing simple songs. They use words of encouragement as

p.2

need to do better?

babies pull themselves up on furniture and begin to walk. As children draw around building bricks and comment on how a rectangle looks like a square, a childminding assistant agrees but goes on to explain the difference in that a rectangle has two short sides and two long sides. Children show pride in their achievements and share what they have done with their friends. n The childminder promotes a love of books. Children enjoy listening to stories as the childminder reads to them. They sit quietly, waiting for the next part of the story. Young children enjoy choosing their own books and looking at the pictures with a childminding assistant. n The childminder wants children to be independent and care for themselves. Children learn some self-care skills in preparation for school. They put on their shoes and coats and they ask when they need to go to the toilet. However, there are few opportunities for older children to develop their independence further,

p.3

need to do better?

for example to wash their hands independently. n The childminder demonstrates some positive leadership and management. She has organised training for her team, such as paediatric first-aid and special educational needs and/or disabilities training. Although the childminder has attended leadership and management training, she has not applied what she learned to her work to support her own practice or lead her assistants. The assistants' roles are yet to be defined and, as a result, sessions are disorganised and staff who must be supervised are not. n The childminder works well with parents and shares information about their children's day, learning and development. Parents say their children are happy and settled and enjoy attending the childminder's setting.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is not an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

Due date

provide Ofsted with the necessary information, within the required time frame, about new assistants to enable all background checks to be made to assess their suitability to work with children 30/06/2024

p.4

Due date

supervise assistants who have yet to have their suitability checks completed 30/06/2024

p.4

Due date

gain knowledge of leadership and management responsibilities to provide good-quality early years provision 31/07/2024

p.4

Due date

gain knowledge of how children learn so that a sequenced curriculum that is engaging and fully supports their development is provided 31/08/2024

p.4

Due date

organise the environment in a way that meets the needs of children, particularly ensuring that children can access age- appropriate resources to support their learning and development 31/08/2024

p.4

Due date

use information from assessments of what children already know and can do to better shape teaching and learning experiences for each child. 31/08/2024

p.4

should:

n provide opportunities for children to attempt tasks for themselves to develop their independence and self-care skills further.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 2762517 Local authority North Northamptonshire Inspection number 10348991 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 9 Number of children on roll 9 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2023 and lives in Corby, Northamptonshire. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with assistants, one of whom has an appropriate level 3 qualification. The childminder provides places for children in receipt of government early years funding.

p.5

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 inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The childminder talked to the inspector about children's learning and development. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this has on children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder, the assistants and the children. n The inspector spoke with the childminder, the assistants and the children during the inspection. n Parents shared their views on the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

p.6

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.

p.6

Inspection activities

28 May 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.

p.6

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.7

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7