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

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The provision is outstanding

Children demonstrate feelings of safety and security in this highly engaging setting. Babies are happy as the childminder provides close physical comfort whenever they need it. This helps them feel settled and, therefore, babies move confidently away from the childminder when they are ready to explore the play opportunities on offer. The childminder expertly takes the lead from babies' actions to extend their self-awareness. She notices when babies want to pull themselves up and ensures that they can hold onto stable equipment. This helps to build confidence in their physical skills.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder provides an extremely welcoming and stimulating environment for the children in her care. She works in a highly effective partnership with her co- childminder and assistants. Children are very happy, settled and extremely confident, engaging in the wide range of activities in the setting. Children's experiences and needs are central to everything the childminder plans and organises. She follows children's interests very successfully, taking every opportunity to extend their skills and knowledge.

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The provision is outstanding

Children confidently lead their play. They engage cooperatively and collaboratively with their peers. Children understand the need to take turns and share the resources. For example, they work together to create tall towers and intricate structures with magnetic tiles. Children are keen to make sure that everyone has enough tiles as they share their ideas for design. This helps them negotiate how to use the construction materials most effectively. Children are excited by their successful structures and models.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has an exceptional understanding of how children learn. She uses this knowledge to work collaboratively with her co-childminder to develop a highly effective child-led curriculum. The childminder knows children exceptionally well. She uses her accurate observations of each child to plan for their learning. Her skilful teaching ensures that children make strong progress and achieve excellent outcomes. n The childminder is highly committed to her professional development. She attends training and development programmes that extend her already exceptional knowledge and understanding. The childminder supports any assistants she works with to access purposeful and relevant training sessions. This helps to consistently drive improvements across the setting. n The childminder is an inspirational leader. She supports any assistants she works with to reflect on their practice, in order to continuously meet the individual

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need to do better?

needs of the children in their care. Meetings are held regularly to discuss the

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need to do better?

13 March 2025 vision and plans for the setting. This ensures that assistants feel valued and extremely well supported. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported exceptionally well. The intuitive childminder works closely in partnership with parents to ensure that children promptly receive the support they need. The childminder has excellent working relationships with external agencies. Purposeful interventions in the setting ensures that children make the best possible progress. n Children develop superb confidence and independence. The childminder is sensitive to children's differing personalities. She adjusts her communication to encourage them to carry out tasks for themselves. For example, she offers simple instructions and encouragement as children put on their wet weather clothing. As a result of her positive approach, children persevere with tricky tasks. The childminder celebrates their efforts and achievements. This

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need to do better?

contributes to their positive self-esteem. n Children learn about the importance of a healthy lifestyle. They are involved in growing and harvesting fruit and vegetables. The childminder teaches children about nutrition as part of daily routines. Children tell visitors that blueberries are good for their heart. n The childminder models how to roll, squeeze and shape dough. This helps children to strengthen the small muscles in their hands and contributes positively to the development of skills that are needed for writing. The childminder narrates children's actions and comments positively on the models they create with dough. As they play, children recall familiar phrases from stories. The childminder consistently ensures that children have time to share their thoughts and ideas. This helps to extend their thinking and speaking skills. n The childminder is an excellent role model for children's communication and

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need to do better?

language. She skilfully tunes in to children's verbal and non-verbal communication and follows their cues. The childminder uses a wide range of vocabulary, and children consistently hear the accurate pronunciation of new words. For example, they learn to say 'edamame' as they eat the beans in their salad at lunchtime. n Parents are delighted with the setting. They appreciate the skilful teaching and sensitive nurturing that the childminder and any assistants provide. Parents comment positively on the healthy meals that are provided. They are thrilled with the amount of time children spend learning outdoors. Parents are appreciative of the detailed feedback they receive every day. This ensures that they are well informed about their child's well-being and development.

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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 EY544083 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10376039 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 31 Date of previous inspection 14 May 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Holcot, Northamptonshire. 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 places for children aged from nine months to four years. She holds an early years qualification at level 6.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises her early years provision, including the aims and rationale for the early years foundation stage curriculum. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about how she supports children with SEND. 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 carried out a joint observation of a communication and language activity with the childminder. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

13 March 2025 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

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.

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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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