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

The childminder creates a warm and welcoming home-from-home environment. She develops strong bonds with children that support them to feel settled and secure. For example, children confidently seek cuddles from the childminder when tired or in need of reassurance. The childminder creates an inviting space that is well equipped for children to make free choices in their play. For example, children eagerly select track pieces to build a large scale train track. When challenges occur, children are encouraged to persevere by the childminder. She supports them to try and turn pieces to make the track bigger and offers positive verbal praise for their achievements. This gives children a sense of pride and encourages them to build on their existing skills. The childminder is patient and kind. Overall, children behave well and display a positive attitude to learning through interactions modelled by the childminder.

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The provision is good

Children's current interests in colours and numbers are skilfully extended by the childminder during play. For example, she names colours and introduces mathematical concepts, such as quantity. This further expands children's understanding and deepens their mathematical knowledge. Children are supported to learn how to turn take and share. For example, while feeding the pet guinea pigs, the childminder encourages children to share the pet food so that they can all be involved in feeding time. This supports children's sharing skills while developing a sense of belonging.

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need to do better?

n The childminder provides a range of activities for children to explore and engage with. Overall, she supports children's learning effectively during play. However, on occasion, the childminder tries to extend children's learning too rapidly with overly complex activities. On these occasions, children become overwhelmed and lose interest, meaning they do not gain the most from all learning experiences. n The childminder promotes children's language skills well. She engages in conversations and offers a narrative alongside children's play. Children are confident communicators and develop new vocabulary quickly. For example, younger children recite numbers and colours spontaneously, and older children confidently discuss magic using words such as 'abracadabra'. n The childminder supports children's interest in books and stories. She reads stories with excitement and animation. Children become increasingly engaged

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need to do better?

and discuss illustrations, predicting what might happen next. They repeat familiar phrases from the stories, such as 'ah chomp' when reading about monsters. This develops children's observation skills and understanding, which supports future learning.

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need to do better?

25 October 2024 n The childminder praises children for being kind and sharing during play. She encourages children to be considerate of others. When unwanted behaviour is displayed, she remains calm. However, on some occasions, the childminder fails to remind children of her behavioural expectations. This prevents children from fully developing an awareness of boundaries and expectations. n Children are encouraged to be independent by the childminder. For example, the childminder encourages them to complete tasks, such as handwashing and toileting, independently. Children are supported to display a 'can do' attitude and persevere when facing challenges. For example, children are encouraged by the childminder to turn dressing-up outfits the correct way before independently dressing themselves. n Parent partnerships are strong. Parents report that the childminder communicates with them daily. This includes verbally and via online applications

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need to do better?

containing photos of activities and experiences children have partaken in. She shares children's development with parents and highlights the next steps in children's learning. The childminder also shares ideas with parents to further support children's learning at home. This makes parents feel very involved in their child's learning journey and ensures that children's learning outcomes are further enhanced. n The childminder is committed to her professional development. She uses local authority training opportunities and support from local childminding groups to enhance her development further. This supports her to offer the best possible outcomes for children in her care. n The childminder supports children to learn about similarities and differences between themselves and others. For example, they explore the fabric of traditional dress from differing cultures and discuss the colours. Children celebrate various birthdays and learn about festivals with the childminder and

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need to do better?

her family. This develops children's understanding of uniqueness and diversity, which promotes an inclusive learning environment. n The childminder offers regular outings to develop children's skills further. For example, they go to local and country parks to enhance their physical skills on large-scale equipment. They also make new friends at the regularly attended local toddler group, which supports children's social skills further.

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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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should:

25 October 2024 n strengthen the planning of adult-led activities so that children remain focused and build on their existing knowledge further n support children further to manage behavioural expectations and extend their awareness of boundaries.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY489207 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10355494 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 12 Number of children on roll 7 Date of previous inspection 30 November 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Northampton. She operates all year round, from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder occasionally works alongside an assistant.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder spoke to the inspector about children's learning and development. n The childminder and inspector carried out a joint observation. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n Parents shared their views of the childminder with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact on children's learning.

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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

25 October 2024 25 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

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

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