Childminder in West 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

p.1

The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in the care of this nurturing and skilled childminder. They arrive happily and immediately become engrossed in choosing how they would like to spend their time. Children are excited to engage in activities and experiences that extend their learning. Older children are extremely keen to use the mark-making materials on offer to them. They use an excellent tripod grip to hold their pencils and pens correctly. This helps them to form letters they want to write. Children chat happily as they draw and write, commenting on their friends' pictures and words. Children are exceptionally kind and compassionate. They praise each other and listen intently to the thoughts and feelings of their peers.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

Children spend a large amount of time outdoors in the exciting and fascinating play space. They are highly engaged and involved in a range of interesting learning opportunities. Children confidently access the resources on offer and show a keen interest in transporting and transforming materials. They create mixtures and 'potions' to use in their play. For example, children delight in mixing mud and water to wash and feed dolls. Children create and negotiate the rules of their games. They include their friends in long uninterrupted periods of play. This helps children to develop, practise and refine new skills.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder works in close partnership with her co-childminder and assistants to ensure that the intentions for each child's learning are clear. The childminder gathers information from parents when children start at the setting. She expertly uses this information to plan informally for experiences they will enjoy. n The childminder skilfully observes children to understand their interests and motivation for learning. As a result of the childminder's exceptional and sensitive teaching, children make extremely strong progress across all seven areas of learning. n The childminder is extremely motivated. She attends training sessions and webinars that enable her to consistently reflect on her practice. The childminder undertakes professional development programmes that further extend her already in-depth understanding of how children learn. She skilfully applies newly acquired knowledge to drive improvement across the setting.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder is an exceptional leader. She is skilled and sensitive in her support and encouragement of any assistants she works with. The childminder fully includes assistants in planning and decision making. Regular training opportunities support assistants to further extend their professional knowledge. n Children develop as independent learners. They demonstrate curiosity and high levels of interest in the resources and learning opportunities provided. The

p.2

need to do better?

13 March 2025 childminder, and any assistants she works with, encourage and enable children to develop and follow their thoughts and ideas. They enable children to make adaptations to their play in order to extend their learning even further. For example, children explore mud, gel and water in the sensory tray. They delight in repeatedly immersing the truck in the mud before cleaning it in the water trough nearby. n The childminder has exceptionally high expectations of the children in her care. Every interaction with them is respectful and she is a superb role model for gentle communication. Children consistently respond positively to simple instructions. The childminder notices and comments positively on children's excellent choices as they help each other to put items back where they belong. Children's behaviour is exemplary and they are kind and respectful to their peers. n The childminder offers exactly the amount of support that children need to get

p.2

need to do better?

involved in their self-care. Children know when they need to wash their hands and are keen to do this independently. The childminder involves children in preparing meals. Children competently chop fruit and vegetables and lay the table. They are extremely proud as they serve food to their peers. n Children demonstrate feelings of emotional security in the company of the childminder, who notices when they need some reassurance or physical comfort. Children snuggle into the childminder as she shares books with them. n Children eagerly come together in a small group and are enthusiastic to listen to a story. They are supported to be fully involved in the storytelling as they use puppets to sequence the events in the book. Children joyfully move their puppets and join in with familiar words and phrases. This helps them to develop as good listeners and confident speakers. n Parents are thrilled with the progress that children make while in the care of the

p.3

need to do better?

childminder. They comment on the exceptional range of experiences that children enjoy. Parents appreciate all the ways that children get involved in the local community, for example visiting the local Chinese supermarket. Parents state that they receive detailed verbal feedback, which ensures they feel involved and included in their children's learning and development.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

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

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 221292 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10381818 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 31 Date of previous inspection 11 August 2022

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2000 and lives in Holcot, Northamptonshire. She works with another registered childminder and one assistant. The childminder operates all year round, from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She also provides overnight care. The childminder provides funded places for children aged from nine months to four years. She holds an early years qualification at level 6.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure they are safe and suitable. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about children's learning and development, with a particular focus on communication and language. n Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at the childminder's setting. 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 inspector and childminder carried out joint observations of group activities. n The childminder and inspector discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact that this had on children's learning. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

p.5

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.5

Inspection activities

13 March 2025 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.5

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.6

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.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6