Childminder in Central Bedfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 9 February 2015 17 December 2008

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Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Requires improvement The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Requires improvement The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Requires improvement The setting does not meet legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 Teaching requires improvement. The childminder does not use observations effectively to monitor children's learning and development, and she does not plan activities that challenge them.  The childminder's understanding of safeguarding does not take into account the use of mobile phones and cameras in her setting. Consequently, children's welfare is not fully promoted.  The childminder does not consistently promote opportunities to expand on children's understanding of risks, including personal safety. As a result, children are not learning to recognise the potential consequences of their actions.  The childminder does not always remind children of the importance of good hygiene practices. Consequently, children are not developing an understanding of how to keep themselves healthy.

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It has the following strengths

 The childminder supports children's personal, social and emotional development through regular praise and encouragement and they make suitable attachments with the childminder and their peers. As a result, they are happy, settled and behave appropriately.  Children's communication and language development is encouraged because the childminder provides opportunities for them to voice their thoughts and ideas. For example, she uses open-ended questioning as she reads them stories. As a result, the childminder is supporting children in acquiring some of the skills they need for school.  Children's physical development is promoted because the childminder provides opportunities for them to access fresh air and exercise on a regular basis.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage the provider must:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 use information obtained from observing children to understand their level of achievement, interests and learning styles; shape learning experiences for each child reflecting those observations to help children make the best possible progress in their learning and development  ensure that the safeguarding policy and procedure covers the use of mobile phones and cameras to protect children's safety and welfare.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 improve opportunities for children to learn about leading healthy lifestyles and reducing the risk of the spread of infection; for example, by encouraging them to regularly wash their hands before eating and after touching the family pet, and by ensuring that young children's soothers are washed appropriately after falling on the floor  extend opportunities for children to develop more awareness of personal risk and safety by consistently explaining how hazards, such as climbing over the family pet and throwing toys, may have an impact on them.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the Childcare Register the provider must:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 provide a written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children, intended to safeguard the children being cared for from abuse or neglect (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  provide a written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children, intended to safeguard the children being cared for from abuse or neglect (voluntary part of the Childcare Register).

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at evidence of the suitability of the childminder's family members, and a range of other documentation, including her first-aid certificate.  The inspector observed general play and the snack and lunchtime routines. She talked with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector held joint discussions with the childminder in relation to children's play, learning and progress. She also walked with the childminder and children to collect other children from nursery.  The inspector reviewed the childminder's self-evaluation.

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who attend. This requires improvement

The childminder demonstrates some knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, she does not use observation and assessment to monitor children's learning effectively. This means that children's identified next steps in learning are not used to plan challenging activities and experiences. Children take part in activities that encourage their communication and language skills. The childminder supports their speech and language development by regularly repeating words during a story, and introducing new words to their growing vocabulary. Children behave appropriately and the childminder praises them for sharing and taking turns, which supports their personal, social and emotional development. However, when children throw toys or climb over the family pet, the childminder does not encourage them to think about their personal safety. As a result, children are not able to see the potential consequences of their actions.

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requires improvement

The childminder does not provide children with consistent opportunities to develop their understanding of good hygiene practices. For example, although children wash their hands before lunch, they are not encouraged to do this before snack time. Children are not encouraged to follow suitable hygiene routines and the childminder does not remind them of the importance of washing their hands after stroking animals. In addition to this, younger children place soothers back into their mouths after these have been on the floor, without being washed first. The childminder encourages children to be independent, for example, they put on and take off their coats and shoes by themselves. The childminder praises children for good effort and this raises their self-confidence. Furthermore, older children are helpful around the younger children, as they kindly support them in finding their individually named coat peg. The childminder supports children's emotional well-

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requires improvement

being. For example, children laugh happily as she joins in enthusiastically with them to sing number rhymes and songs. In addition to this, children happily and spontaneously sit with the childminder when in need of a cuddle.

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provision requires improvement

The childminder is aware of whom to contact professionally if she has concerns about a child in her care, and she is able to demonstrate the signs and symptoms of abuse. However, she does not have a suitable policy for the use of mobile phones and cameras in her setting. This compromises children's safety and welfare because older children use these regularly. The childminder has a friendly relationship with parents, carers and other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She passes on details of what children have taken part in at pre-school and provides daily feedback to parents. As a result, parents are informed and they are able to extend children's learning at home. The childminder evaluates her setting by obtaining parent and child feedback. This helps her to plan for future improvements, including training opportunities to develop her knowledge and understanding further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY298891 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 856473 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 17

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 17 December 2008

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2005 and lives in Shefford. She operates on a term-time only basis from 7am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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Telephone number

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted 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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Telephone number

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. 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 Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, 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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Telephone number

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Telephone number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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