Childminder EY479399

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 are happy to see the childminder as she greets them with a cuddle. She provides a calm and nurturing atmosphere. This approach promotes strong relationships, ensuring children feel safe and secure. The childminder plans child- led activities according to children's likes and interests. For example, following a trip to the farm, the childminder provides a toy farm and animals to encourage children to talk about their trip. Children benefit from a range of experiences that enrich the curriculum and contribute to children's good progress. For example, children learn to care for the childminder's tortoise. They enjoy feeding her and then bathe her, using toothbrushes to clean her shell. Children learn that tortoises take in water through absorption rather than drinking water through their mouths like they do.

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The provision is good

The childminder is an excellent role model. She supports young children to behave well by modelling good behaviour choices. The childminder gently reminds children to share and take turns as they play with one another. She regularly provides praise to children, which promotes confidence and self-esteem. The childminder helps them understand right from wrong. Children learn to be safe as the childminder reminds them to sit on a chair when eating and to not run on the wet grass in case they slip over.

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need to do better?

n The childminder develops good relationships with parents. Parents value the regular information and support she provides to them about children's learning and development. The childminder supports parents to continue their children's learning at home, and parents value her support in tasks, such as toilet training. Parents describe the childminder as 'caring' and feel that she goes above and beyond for the children in her care. n The childminder plans a varied curriculum. She knows the children well and understands what they need to learn next. She plans activities to support children's next steps, such as a peg jigsaw and play dough to support young children to develop their small finger muscles. However, at times, the childminder does not recognise when children need help during activities, such as when blowing bubbles or connecting threading beads on a string. As a result, children lose interest and do not always make the progress they are capable of.

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need to do better?

n Children develop their physical skills well. The childminder ensures that they have daily exercise, both at the childminder's home and out and about. Children build on their physical strength as they visit parks, where they learn to climb up the ladder of a slide and balance on logs. Children develop the muscles in their hands as they squeeze bottles and push down on a pump as they play in the mud kitchen.

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need to do better?

10 September 2025 n Overall, the childminder support children's communication and language well. She speaks clearly to children, sensitively repeating what they say to support their correct pronunciation. She gives children time to respond to questions. She introduces new vocabulary, such as 'slug' and 'snail', when the children find them in the garden. However, the childminder does not provide enough opportunities for children to listen to and take part in songs, rhymes and stories to support early speech and language development further. n The childminder encourages children to manage their self-care skills. Children learn to pour water in their cups. Young children use a spoon and fork to eat their lunch. Children know to wash their hands with soap before they eat. They help the childminder get a stool so they are be able to reach the tap. Children are building on their knowledge about the importance of hygiene. This helps

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need to do better?

them develop healthy routines for the future. n The childminder takes the children on daily outings. They explore the country parks and playgroups. In addition, the childminder meets up with local childminders, and has become pen pals with a childminder in Cornwall. Children share photographs and letters about the different adventures they each have, such as going to the beach for a daily walk or visiting the 'shoe museum'. This provides opportunities for the children to form new friendships, develop their social skills and learn about the world around them.

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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 recognise and support children during activities to help them sustain interest and engagement during activities n implement the curriculum more effectively to help children engage with songs, rhymes and books to further support their communication and language development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY479399 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10408024 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 3 Date of previous inspection 23 January 2020

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2014 and lives in Northampton. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 4. The childminder provides early years government funded childcare.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures children are safe. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intentions for children's learning. 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 The inspector took account of parents' views during the inspection. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

10 September 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

10 September 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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