Childminder in Central Bedfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 5 December 2016 28 February 2013

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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 well-qualified childminder manages groups of children with ease. She ensures they are suitably challenged and swiftly minimises interruptions to their learning. For example, she provides young children with alternative, stimulating activities to enable the older children to concentrate as they build a tower and count the number of blocks they use.  Children are skilful communicators and rapidly learn new words the childminder introduces. The childminder listens carefully to what children have to say. She uses a calm tone of voice and effective questioning techniques to stimulate further discussion.  The childminder is responsive to children's changing needs. She immediately recognises those who feel tired or unwell and locates their special items to provide them with comfort. The childminder adapts her plans to ensure children have time to rest and relax with activities of interest made readily available.

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This provision is good

 Parents are very happy with the care provided. They appreciate the childminder's flexibility and feel that she nurtures children's life skills and instils respectful behaviour.  The childminder completes detailed risk assessments to ensure that all the areas children use are safe and suitable. For example, she is vigilant in her supervision of children outdoors, uses a monitoring camera to identify any approaching visitors and ensures the main gate with access to the road is secure at all times.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not always provide parents with detailed information about how to precisely support children's learning at home to help them make the best progress.  Children's understanding about people from other cultures and communities is not developed as fully and effectively as other aspects of their learning.

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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

 explore further ways to include parents in extending children's learning at home to enable them to make the best possible progress  extend opportunities for children to increase their understanding of the lives of different people, families and communities in the wider world.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed daily routines and children's activities indoors and outdoors. She accompanied the childminder and children to the chicken coop and interacted with children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector observed a planned activity and jointly discussed the intentions and learning outcomes of this with the childminder.  The inspector looked at the childminder's documentation, including policies, training certificates and children's learning records. She discussed self-evaluation with the childminder.  The inspector took account of the views of parents and children through a number of written references and thank-you cards.  The inspector saw evidence of the suitability of all persons living on the premises and other documentation in relation to the safeguarding and welfare requirements.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has refreshed her knowledge of child protection issues and is aware of the action to take if she has any concerns about children's welfare. The childminder is keen to support continuous improvement. She values the ongoing advice from an early years adviser to keep her knowledge up to date and regularly meets with other childminders to share ideas. The childminder completes a range of online and face-to-face courses to help maintain her good quality practice. Future plans include trialling additional ways to gain more detailed feedback from parents to further inform her self-evaluation. The childminder explores the views of children through discussion and uses this information to enhance the learning programmes and resources that she provides. She has established effective relationships with each child's school teacher to support continuity in their care and development.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder knows children and their families well, previously caring for many older siblings. She works closely with parents when children first start to help establish their initial starting points. This helps to ensure they experience a smooth move into her care. The childminder completes ongoing assessments of children and plans for their next steps in learning. Children enjoy a range of well-planned activities and have time to immerse themselves in their chosen games. They engage in role play using small-world toys, placing figures into vehicles and then moving these along the floor while imitating the engine sounds.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children develop secure attachments to the childminder and gain reassurance and cuddles as needed. They behave well and happily respond to the childminder's expectations. For example, children tidy away the toys before leaving the house and are beginning to use their manners unprompted. They are familiar with the daily routines and show an awareness of what comes next. When asked to find their boots, they eagerly anticipate outdoor play or a visit to the childminder's chickens to collect freshly laid eggs. Children have many further opportunities to enjoy the stimulating outdoor environment. They maintain their physical balance as they eagerly climb up and over grass mounds and assist the childminder in nurturing the growth of vegetables. Children grow carrots, potatoes and tomatoes, which they taste as part of their healthy diet. The childminder supports children as they begin to manage their own personal needs. One of the ways she does this is

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

through making fresh drinking water available for them to pour when they feel thirsty.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress given their starting points. They are confident, well-assured individuals who thrive in the childminder's care. Children demonstrate their independence from a young age, helping to dress themselves and reaching up to hang their belongings on low-level pegs. They use number names spontaneously in their play and mathematical language as they talk about big and small when observing buses and lorries in the environment. Children gain the essential skills that they need for the move on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY451019 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 1066149 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 5 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 9

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 28 February 2013

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2012 and lives in Wrestlingworth. She operates all year round from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. She is registered to provide 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

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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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