Harris, Catherine Susan

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 14 April 2015 1 October 2008

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Outstanding 1 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is outstanding

 The childminder meticulously gathers information so that she fully understands each child. She sets high standards in ensuring that she always meets their needs and only offers them the very best care. Children settle quickly and develop exceptionally secure, trusting relationships with the childminder.  The childminder considers every aspect of her interaction with children and uses exemplary teaching methods. She competently assesses children and plans a rich variety of activities. As a result, children are highly motivated and demonstrate a great enthusiasm for learning. They are exceptionally well prepared for school.  The childminder's excellent monitoring means that she is highly efficient in identifying and swiftly addressing any gaps in children's learning. For example, she now offers younger children an extended range of opportunities to develop their language skills.  The childminder gently encourages children to develop a love of books and reading.

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This provision is outstanding

They make their own props and act out favourite stories. They also visit the library frequently. Older children competently explain that there are different sections of the library for 'stories' and for 'finding things out'.  The childminder's partnership working with parents is exemplary. She sensitively provides advice and information about child development. She offers practical ideas and lends resources to support parents in extending their children's learning at home.  The childminder has a comprehensive knowledge of safeguarding issues and consistently promotes every aspect of children's welfare. She talks sensitively with children to support them in understanding how to protect themselves.  The childminder uses her childcare qualification, and is highly motivated, to develop her practice further. She carries out in-depth research and uses her knowledge to positive effect. For example, children now enjoy an extended variety of trips that offer them

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This provision is outstanding

creative outdoor learning opportunities.

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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

 enrich the already very good opportunities for children to use an even wider range of information and communication technology resources.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the childminder's house and garden, and viewed areas of the home used for childminding.  The inspector talked with the childminder and the children present and reviewed an activity with the childminder.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records, planning documentation, evidence of suitability of household members, the childminder's self-evaluation information and a range of other documentation, including the safeguarding procedures.  The inspector took account of the views of parents, as given in their written feedback to the childminder.

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who attend. This is outstanding

The childminder's highly positive support means that children make exceptional progress. Her excellent planning, and ability to adapt and extend this, ensures that every child is offered endless creative opportunities to explore, try new experiences and build on their knowledge. For example, children collect frogspawn and watch as it develops. They research the life cycle of the frog and make their own illustrations. Younger children play with sensory gel beads that resemble the frogspawn. They describe the texture and remember the changes that have taken place, competently describing how the tadpoles developed tails. The childminder extends their play and the children concentrate as they use scoops and tweezers to pick up the beads. They spontaneously count these and sort them according to size. The childminder pays great attention to all resources, so that children gain the utmost benefit as they play. For example, she helps children turn a box

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who attend. This is outstanding

into a car park with numbered spaces. The children name the numbers as they 'park the cars', going on to extend this to their play with ride-on toys in the garden.

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outstanding

The childminder's meticulous attention to all areas of her home means that children feel welcome and valued. Each child has made their own self-portrait and these, along with many examples of their work, are creatively displayed. Exciting, accessible resources encourage children to explore. They build dens using sticks and material, and compare the weight of natural and synthetic materials as they use the large balance scales outside. Children learn to understand and respect others as the childminder offers them a multitude of meaningful opportunities. For example, children use pictures and words to record their own descriptions of important events, friends and relatives around the world. They then plot these on a map. These thoughtful practices support children in developing highly positive attitudes. They have a mature understanding about taking responsibility and understand how to interact with others. Therefore, they are emotionally very well

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outstanding

prepared for school and future learning.

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provision is outstanding

The childminder is experienced and has an excellent knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has successfully addressed the previous inspection recommendation, so that children's development is exceptionally well promoted at all times. The childminder conscientiously evaluates her practice. Her honest and rigorous review of her work enables her to highlight areas where she can improve her work even further. For example, she recognises that she can offer children an even greater variety of opportunities to use and explore information and communication technology. The childminder uses exceptional procedures to work in partnership with other childcare providers. She exchanges detailed assessment information and provides summaries of children's learning. This enables all to work together to promote children's development to the optimum.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY297412 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 848839 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 15

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 1 October 2008

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2004, and lives in Marston Moretaine. She operates all year round, from 6.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3.

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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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