Childminder in Bedford

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 3 August 2015 16 November 2011

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Good 2 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 takes the greatest care to understand every child, truly valuing them as unique individuals. Children respond to this highly positive approach and flourish in her care. They are secure and positive in their outlook and show a great understanding and respect for each other.  The childminder uses exemplary teaching methods. Her excellent daily practice is mirrored by her assistant. They offer children an exciting variety of activities that accurately reflect their interests. Children are eager to participate and show a great enthusiasm for learning. They are exceptionally well prepared for school.  The childminder has a comprehensive understanding of safeguarding procedures. She ensures that her assistant's knowledge is to the same standard. They thoroughly consider every aspect of children's welfare and consistently promote this.  The childminder's comprehensive reviewing of children's progress enables her to

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This provision is outstanding

efficiently address any gaps in their learning. Older children now have more opportunities to recognise letters. This greatly supports their early reading skills.  The childminder works closely with parents. She lends them resources that relate specifically to their children's current development. These thoughtful procedures play a key part in successfully supporting parents to extend their children's learning.  The childminder is committed to developing her practice even further. She completes a wealth of additional training and actively uses any new knowledge to benefit children. Improvements to the garden mean that this is now more accessible and offers exciting learning opportunities to children of all ages.  Improved, highly practical procedures support children in understanding the relevance of daily routines and healthy practices, such as washing their hands before eating. They make their own obstacle courses, where they balance, climb, jump and crawl. They talk

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This provision is outstanding

about how each of these different types of movement benefits their bodies.

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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

 exploit the opportunities to work even more effectively in partnership with other childcare settings that children attend.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the childminder's house and garden.  The inspector talked with the childminder, her assistant and the children present. She reviewed an activity with the childminder.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records, planning documentation and evidence of the suitability of household members. She viewed 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 and her assistant maintain a positive environment and offer highly relevant support so that all children make excellent progress. The childminder plans all activities exceptionally well so that they fully extend children's learning. Children help to buy seed potatoes and learn about life cycles and growth as they eagerly harvest their crop, excitedly noting the differences in the varieties. The childminder extends this with a picture game where children determine which vegetables grow above ground and which grow underneath. The childminder skilfully adapts activities so that every child participates meaningfully. Children become engrossed as they look for 'golden treasure' in sand. Older children competently use sieves to separate the sand from the treasure. The childminder's highly effective questioning encourages them to work out that the sand particles are smaller than the holes in the sieve and so pass through these. Younger children gauge the

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who attend. This is outstanding

different sizes of their treasure as they try to fit them through a funnel. In this way, the childminder supports children in finding things out for themselves and in developing their understanding of mathematical concepts. Meticulous attention to detail means that wherever children choose to play they have numerous creative opportunities. For example, they use simple balance scales in the garden to weigh and compare balls, logs and fruit.

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outstanding

The childminder obtains a wealth of information from parents and shares this with her assistant so that they fully understand children's needs. As a result, children have warm, trusting relationships with both adults. They are emotionally secure and approach their daily play and new challenges with confidence and a highly positive attitude. This prepares them exceptionally well for the move to school. The childminder fully involves children and they play an active part in their learning. They eagerly help plan activities and thoroughly enjoy reviewing their assessment records, showing great pride as they recognise their achievements. Children learn to assess risks, such as how to set out an obstacle course safely. This supports them in developing a very practical awareness of daily safety issues.

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provision is outstanding

The childminder has an excellent understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She shares her knowledge with her assistant and they ensure that their policies support them in meeting all requirements. The childminder supervises her assistant exceptionally well. He attends a wide range of training and the childminder fully supports him in implementing any new knowledge to further enhance children's daily care. The childminder and her assistant comprehensively evaluate their work and accurately identify areas they can improve even more. Their partnership working with other childcare providers is very good. They make excellent use of detailed communication books to exchange assessment and planning information. However, the childminder has recognised the potential to extend these partnerships even further in order to gain enhanced information about children's activities at other settings.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY285013 Local authority Bedford Borough Inspection number 861205 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 18

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 16 November 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2004 and lives in Wilstead. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with an assistant.

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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

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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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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