Childminder in North 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

Children arrive happy and are eager to start their day. They quickly seek out one of the many exciting activities that are provided by the childminder, such as perfume making. Children develop their small hand muscles as they use pipettes to drip coloured water into bottles before adding petals. Children show they feel safe and secure in the childminder's care as they seek her out for comfort and reassurance. The childminder knows the children well and recognises each child's unique personality. She uses this information to help support children's growing confidence and sense of belonging in her homely environment.

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The provision is good

The childminder's curriculum is focused on the outdoors and nature. Children benefit from daily outings, where they learn about their natural environment. They enjoy trips to local parks and take part in gardening sessions and forest play experiences. These activities help to build children's physical development and love of the outdoors. Additionally, it enables children to develop social skills as they participate in larger group activities and form new friendships. Children learn kind and caring behaviour from the childminder. They are encouraged to take turns and share as they play games. For example, children know to remind each other of whose go it is next, showing they understand the rules of the game and the childminder's expectations. The childminder provides constant praise, helping children to feel proud of their achievements.

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need to do better?

n The childminder plans activities and experiences that are based on children's interests, what they already know and what they need to learn next. For instance, when children discovered frog spawn at a local pond, the childminder used this interest to teach children about the life cycle of a frog. She incorporates stories and uses props to help children understand the process. These experiences support children in developing a positive attitude to learning and contribute to the good progress they make. n Overall, the childminder's teaching skills are good. She extends children's vocabulary by introducing new words and helps children acquire knowledge by offering interesting facts. However, the childminder does not always encourage children's critical thinking. For example, during activities, she is sometimes quick to offer a solution to a problem rather than encouraging children to think about how they might solve it themselves.

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need to do better?

n Communication and language are well supported by the childminder. She sits with children as they play and talks to them about what they are doing. The childminder provides daily singing and dance sessions, and she reads to children throughout the day. Children learn to speak well and enjoy engaging in conversations with each other as they play.

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need to do better?

8 April 2025 n The childminder helps children to develop self-care skills. Children learn to manage tasks, such as putting on their shoes and applying sun cream when the weather is hot. Children learn good hygiene routines as they are encouraged to wash their hands before and after mealtimes and when they come in from the garden. The childminder provides children with a mirror to support them in wiping their faces after eating. She consistently explains why these things are important to maintain good health. Children become increasingly independent and manage their needs well. n The childminder supports children's early mathematical skills well. She introduces mathematical language during activities and encourages children to count out objects and recognise numbers. For example, children search for hidden plastic numbers in a tray of goop. They are encouraged to use their fingers to practise writing the numbers in the goop. This supports children's

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need to do better?

early number recognition skills. n The childminder supports children to make healthy choices. For example, she talks with children about the food they eat and provides them with healthy choices at snack time. The childminder helps children to learn about how food is grown as they take part in weekly gardening sessions where they learn to grow fruit and vegetables. n Parent partnership is strong. Parents receive regular updates and information about their children's progress and next steps in learning. The childminder sends pictures and messages to parents at the end of each day and offers suggestions on how they can continue children's learning at home. In addition, she writes progress reports to keep parents up to date about their children's development. n The childminder keeps up to date with mandatory training and regularly updates her skills. She takes part in safeguarding and early years training to improve her

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need to do better?

practice and enhance children's learning experiences.

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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:

n strengthen skills in supporting children to solve simple problems.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY541212 Local authority North Northamptonshire Inspection number 10380755 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 11 Date of previous inspection 21 June 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Corby, Northamptonshire. She operates all year round, from 7.30am until 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder offers government funded places for children aged nine months to four years.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures that they are safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises her early years provision, including the aims and rationale for the 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 inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children. 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.

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Inspection activities

8 April 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

8 April 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

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

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