Childminder in Bedford

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 1 February 2016 29 September 2010

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 The childminder uses her childcare qualification exceptionally well to inform her work. She acts as an excellent role model to her assistant and offers him frequent supervision and practical support to attend training. This enables him to develop his practice and to work closely with the childminder to maintain the highest standards in their childcare.  The childminder meticulously evaluates and applies any new knowledge gained from completing training. She now offers children a wealth of exciting natural resources. For example, they develop their fine-muscle control and explore texture and shape as they thread wooden log sections onto thick string.  Children reflect the childminder's enthusiastic, determined approach as they eagerly participate in an extensive array of innovative activities. They explore and experiment, relishing any new experiences or challenges. They are highly positive in their outlook

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This provision is outstanding

and are exceptionally well prepared for school.  The childminder sensitively supports parents and helps them to build their knowledge of child development. She uses daily discussions and communication books to provide highly individual ideas that equip parents to extend their children's learning at home.  The childminder's meticulous monitoring of children's progress enables her to swiftly address any weaker areas. She offers them opportunities that nurture the development of their social skills, so that they are able to interact and share their ideas or thoughts.  With the childminder's help, children create their own resources, such as books and games, to highlight the living experiences of those in different countries. This enables them to gain a highly practical appreciation of differences and to become aware of how they can play a positive part in wider society.

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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 for younger children to gain an even greater understanding of the uses of information and communication technology.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities inside and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector talked with the childminder, her assistant and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. She reviewed a number of activities with the childminder.  The inspector talked with the childminder about how she supervises her assistant and examined associated documentation.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records, planning documentation and evidence of the suitability of household members and the assistant. 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 outstanding

The childminder's partnerships with other childcare settings are exemplary. She shares detailed information that helps to ensure children are not upset as they move from one setting to another and their learning is not interrupted. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder and her assistant have an excellent knowledge of child protection procedures and follow these to ensure that they promote children's welfare at all times. There are comprehensive arrangements to ensure that all household members undergo stringent suitability checks, further promoting children's welfare. The childminder has greatly improved her self-evaluation, enabling her to precisely identify areas to enhance further. She has recognised the potential to offer younger children extended opportunities to explore the uses of information and communication technology.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

The childminder's improved assessments and planning mean that she uses every opportunity to extend children's learning. For example, children observe and research stick insects. They read an associated story and make their own finger puppets, using these to retell the story. Activities such as these build on children's understanding of the natural world, their creativity and reading skills. The childminder's attention to providing a stimulating environment means that wherever children choose to play, they have exciting learning opportunities. They develop their physical skills and ability to solve problems as they put stones and logs into a pulley. They work out when it is too heavy and how much they can transport. The childminder provides resources that children can use for a range of purposes. This is one of the ways in which she encourages them to explore and determine their own learning. For example, children use logs and lengths of wood to make

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

benches, turning these into a social area where they sit and talk or read together.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

The childminder's excellent communication with parents helps her in fully understanding children's needs. As the key person for each child, she ensures that children's care is consistent, enabling them to quickly settle. The childminder and her assistant frequently review each child's care. They pay meticulous attention to checking they are doing everything possible to help children feel secure and comfortable. Excellent daily procedures support children in understanding their learning and reviewing their progress. For example, the childminder displays photographs that illustrate what children did in the previous week. Children enjoy looking at these, eagerly remembering the activities and delighting in noting their achievements. This builds children's self-esteem and confidence that, in turn, reinforces their emotional security, so they have a solid foundation upon which to develop their learning.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

The stimulating environment inspires children. The childminder and her assistant support all children, including disabled children and those with special educational needs and those who speak English as an additional language, so all make excellent progress. Children quickly develop the skills that support their learning and help to prepare them for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY402278 Local authority Bedford Borough Inspection number 850424 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 14 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 11

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 29 September 2010

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2010 and lives in Bedford. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She also provides weekend and overnight care. She works with an assistant. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The childminder provides care for children who speak English as an additional language, disabled children and those with special educational needs.

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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 reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Telephone number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

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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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