Childminder in Bedford

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 3 June 2015 9 June 2009

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Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Good 2

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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:

 The childminder does not protect children's welfare as well as possible. She has failed to ensure that Disclosure and Barring Service checks are in place for all household members. This is a requirement of the Early Years Foundation Stage.  At times, the childminder does not always make the most of all routine opportunities to encourage children to think about how to develop their own ideas and solve problems.  The childminder does not organise all resources as well as possible. This means that children are not always able to choose independently and fully extend their play.

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It has the following strengths

 Children make good progress because, overall, the childminder uses effective teaching techniques. She supports children in their play and offers them activities that interest and excite them. Consequently, they are positive about learning and this prepares them well for school.  The childminder is committed to developing her practice and has gained a childcare qualification. She now uses her new knowledge to make efficient use of her observations of children and plan the next steps in their learning.  The childminder offers children practical opportunities to develop their understanding of healthy lifestyles. They enjoy visiting a farm shop to choose fruit and vegetables for snacks, then going on to talk about the importance of a healthy, balanced diet.  The childminder has good partnerships with parents. She exchanges information with them, so that she understands children well and consistently meets their needs.

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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

 ensure that all household members over the age of 16 years have the relevant suitability checks, including a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

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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

 extend the opportunities for children to solve problems and develop their own ideas during activities and discussions, for example, by asking additional questions that have more than one answer and allowing children further time to respond  review the organisation of resources so that these are even more accessible, in order to support children in making further choices about their play and learning.

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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

 ensure that there is an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check completed for all persons who are in regular contact with children (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  ensure that there is an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check completed for all persons who are in regular contact with children (voluntary part of the Childcare Register).

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the childminder's house and garden.  The inspector spoke 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 the 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 good

The childminder has improved activity planning so that all areas of learning are promoted. For example, children develop their mathematical and early writing skills as they play with water. They note which items sink or float, and use paint brushes to write water letters on the pavement. In most situations, the childminder encourages children to think for themselves. For example, she encourages children to describe what the characters in the toy vehicles are doing. Occasionally, she does not optimise these opportunities. For example, when children throw balls at targets, she tells them the numbers on each target, rather than encouraging them to start to recognise these. Children enjoy learning as the childminder offers them resources based on their interests. For example, children who like using the computer concentrate and develop their creativity, as they access a drawing programme. The childminder supports parents well in extending their children's learning.

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who attend. This is good

She shares the activity plans with them and offers ideas to extend these at home.

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requires improvement

The childminder helps children learn how to keep themselves safe. They talk about car safety and understand why they need to use appropriate seats and restraints. However, the childminder has failed to check the suitability of all household members. This means that children have a false sense of safety, and their welfare is not fully promoted. Children have warm relationships with the childminder. They develop confidence and social skills as the childminder encourages appropriate interaction. For example, they participate in discussions and learn to work together. The childminder's sensitive support means that children are becoming confident and ready for school. The childminder generally ensures that most resources are accessible. For example, children enjoy choosing games. However, some resources are not as readily accessible. Children cannot always see what is available, in order to extend their play to the maximum.

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provision requires improvement

The childminder generally has a clear understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She reviews her policies to ensure that these support her in meeting the requirements. However, she failed to meet the requirement to ensure the suitability of all people living in her home. The childminder evaluates her daily practice and plans some relevant changes. For example, improved daily communication with parents means that she can now work more closely in partnership with them. The childminder has a positive approach and has addressed previous inspection recommendations. For example, she has attended safeguarding training and updated the safeguarding procedure, so that she can now clearly follow local procedures to report any concerns. The childminder's good reviewing of children's progress, enables her to address any weaker areas. She now offers children further activities that promote their mathematical skills. The childminder works well with

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provision requires improvement

other childcare providers. For example, she is aware of the local pre-school's planning, and offers children complementary activities that extend their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY225218 Local authority Bedford Borough Inspection number 869869 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 2

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2002 and lives in Bedford. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

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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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