Childminder in North 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 have enormous fun as they explore the stimulating play environment. They show great perseverance as they work out how to tackle new activities. Children say, 'I can do this' as they play. The childminder is always close by and focused on sensitively offering guidance and support when needed. She clearly explains tasks and shows children how to use tools and resources safely. For example, children delightedly use toy hammers to drive plastic golf tees into pumpkins of varying sizes. They investigate where to position the 'nails' to pierce the tough skin of the fruit. This experience is part of a rich, well-sequenced and ambitious curriculum planned thoughtfully by the childminder. She aims to build, in this instance, on children's dexterity and knowledge of handling materials. On other occasions, children work with real tools such as hand-held drills to pierce conkers. They practise using, for instance, hole punchers and laminators during craft

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The provision is outstanding

activities. This helps children to grow in confidence and develop their fine motor skills. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make excellent progress across the areas of learning.

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The provision is outstanding

The caring childminder develops exceptionally positive relationships with children. They show a strong sense of belonging in this home-from-home setting. The childminder knows children's needs and interests comprehensively. She uses this knowledge to extend and challenge what they know and can do. Children's behaviour is consistently exemplary. The childminder is an excellent role model. Young children concentrate extremely well for their ages. They are completely engaged in play and understand routines. Even the youngest children demonstrate that they understand the childminder's high expectations of them. For example, after activities, they willingly place equipment back where it belongs to minimise any trip hazards. Young children are extremely polite and kind to one another. They cooperate and negotiate with each other to share and 'swap' equipment, such as paint pens. They form firm friendships with other children, including when they visit

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The provision is outstanding

local groups. There is a happy and vibrant atmosphere for learning.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is dedicated to providing high-quality learning experiences to promote the very best outcomes. She reflects on how to maintain the highest standards and takes prompt action to make any changes. The childminder takes parents' and children's views into account when making decisions. The experienced childminder targets her professional development to address priority areas she has identified. For example, she has completed training about using loose parts to promote creative thinking and problem-solving skills for children. n Children develop a love of books as the childminder reads to them frequently throughout the day. Children enjoy listening to their favourite stories, which feed

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need to do better?

28 October 2024 their imaginations. One example is when children decide to act out a familiar story about a witch, with the playful childminder joining in. Children collect imaginary items as they move around the garden on a small-scale broomstick. They embellish the plot with their own ideas, inspired by the childminder's expert questioning. n Children demonstrate excellent communication and language skills. The childminder skilfully weaves new words and rich language into children's play. For example, when children talk about the stones that they are scooping into buckets, she explains that these are called slate. Young children use complex sentences when joining in with conversations. Children show a considerable knowledge of songs and rhymes. During daily routines, such as nappy changes, children sing along calmly to nursery rhymes. n The childminder is proactive in accessing the right support for children. She

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need to do better?

swiftly identifies any gaps in development and links to other professionals to help narrow these. She establishes highly effective exchanges of information with other settings attended by children in her care. n Parents comment that the childminder supports children to 'flourish'. They say that she encourages children to follow their interests and 'develop naturally'. The childminder communicates frequently with families to make sure that parents know in detail about children's progress. Her reports to parents are incredibly detailed and clear. Learning continues into the home because parents understand what their children are experiencing at the setting. Partnerships with parents are outstandingly effective. n The childminder encourages young children to practise challenging tasks. This helps children to become more independent, ready for future learning. For instance, children put on their own all-weather suits with a little help from the

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need to do better?

childminder. She frequently offers praise. Children show great pride in their achievements and those of their friends. n Children regularly exercise vigorously in the fresh air. They learn to take safe risks while they balance on stepping stones. They decide whether to 'have a go' based on their own risk assessments. This is one example of how the childminder focuses on enhancing children's confidence and physical development. The childminder provides a wealth of outdoor learning experiences to benefit children, especially those that learn best outside. n Children develop an exceptionally detailed knowledge of the world around them. The childminder supports children to follow the changing seasons, using all of their senses. They frequently visit the neighbourhood, including local parks and forest walks to observe sights, scents and sounds closely. Children help grow seeds and taste the plants that they have grown for baking and eating. They

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need to do better?

watch birds swooping above the childminder's garden with awe and learn that these are red kites. n The childminder explores creative ways of promoting healthy eating choices. For instance, she introduces activities with food, such as printing with a variety of fruits and vegetables. The discussions the childminder has with children while they play help enrich young children's knowledge of different options.

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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.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY376974 Local authority North Northamptonshire Inspection number 10359907 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 7 Date of previous inspection 5 December 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2008 and lives in Desborough. She operates all year round, from 7.30am until 6pm, from Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an 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 The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their early years foundation stage curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The childminder and the inspector carried out a joint observation. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector, in written feedback.

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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

28 October 2024 28 October 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

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