Childminder in Central Bedfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 21 September 2015 2 March 2009

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 The childminder's purposeful teaching methods support children in making good progress and she prepares them well for school. Children enjoy an exciting variety of activities that reinforce their positive attitudes and eagerness to learn.  The childminder works well with parents and helps them to extend their children's learning. For example, she uses newsletters and electronic communication methods to offer ideas for activities to try at home.  Children enjoy practical opportunities that help them understand what is happening locally and nationally, such as discussions and using local facilities. This supports their awareness of the wider world and prepares them for playing a positive role in society.  The childminder checks children's progress and acts promptly if she notes any areas for improvement. She offers children additional support to extend their skills in counting and understanding concepts, such as 'bigger' and 'less'.

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This provision is good

 The childminder attends training and makes good use of her new knowledge to benefit children. She makes effective use of her observations to assess children's starting points and plan activities that enable them to progress to the next stage in their learning.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not always make full use of all information from parents about their children's ongoing progress at home, in order to enrich the activity planning.  Younger children cannot always make independent choices and fully extend their play indoors as the childminder does not organise resources as well as possible.

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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

 make greater use of updates and information from parents about their child's learning and development at home  enhance the organisation of indoor toys and resources to enable younger children to make further independent choices and extend their play.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector discussed with the childminder about how she supervises her assistant.  The inspector viewed the garden and areas of the home used for childminding.  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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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The childminder maintains a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and ensures that she meets all requirements. She only uses her assistant very occasionally but supervises his work well and acts as a good role model. The childminder exchanges information with other childcare settings that children attend to ensure that they receive a consistent approach to their care and education. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder makes sure that she understands the process to report any concerns about children's welfare. The childminder has improved her self-evaluation procedures and these support her in making relevant changes. She has provided additional resources that support younger children's development.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder assesses children well and makes effective use of this information to inform her activity planning. For example, she notes the books and characters that children are interested in and offers further, more complex books that extend children's thinking and their early reading skills. However, the childminder does not always make full use of parents' updates to inform her assessments and support her in promoting children's development effectively. The childminder offers children opportunities that support them in learning to think critically and solve problems. For example, they use a construction set to make a run for marbles. They work out that the marbles will roll faster as the angle increases. The childminder uses children's interests well as a way of extending their learning. For example, children dress up as pirates and make their own pretend pirate treasure maps. Activities such as these help to promote children's creativity and their early

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder's good procedures mean that she quickly understands each child's needs. This helps them to feel settled and build secure relationships with her. She supports them in understanding safety issues. For example, older children are careful not to play with toys with small pieces when younger children are nearby. The childminder talks with children about their behaviour and helps them to manage this independently. She supports children when they try new experiences, which boosts their confidence and helps them to believe in their ability to achieve. This aids children in developing the emotional security that supports them when they start school. The childminder organises the outdoor environment well. Children enjoy growing vegetables and learn that these are an important part of a healthy diet. However, younger children sometimes have less stimulating opportunities to make independent choices and extend their learning indoors.

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Outcomes for children are good

The childminder sensitively supports all children so that they make good progress. She interacts well with them and creates a positive, caring environment. Children learn to appreciate each other and work together, thereby developing the social skills that support them as they grow and learn.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY376629 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 858391 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Age range of children 0 - 12 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 2 March 2009

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2008 and lives in Sandy. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder occasionally 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

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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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