Widdicks, Katrina

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 23 May 2018 16 January 2015

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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

 Children thrive in this superbly organised environment which provides an immediate impression of fun and interest in a homely atmosphere. The childminder provides an exceptional childminding service in which each child is highly valued.  Children form extremely close relationships with the childminder, and build strong friendships with each other. Older children are very considerate of the younger ones in all activities. Behaviour is outstanding.  The childminder excels in promoting children's communication and language skills. She constantly models clear speaking and careful listening, including with babies. Very young children begin to listen attentively and speak with confidence.  The childminder regularly monitors and reviews each child's progress. Parents are fully involved. This gives consistent positive reinforcement in children's care and experiences.  From a young age children develop an extremely good awareness of personal safety.

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This provision is outstanding

They help the childminder complete risk assessments. For example, they discuss how to keep safe from possible harm during countryside walks.  The childminder provides a highly effective link between parents and the local school. She is astute in identifying key information about children's needs and development, which she shares with both parties. She works closely with professionals to ensure that children and families who need support receive the help they need.

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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

 continue to develop networks with colleagues to share and support outstanding practice.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the childminder's setting and the impact her teaching has on children's development.  The inspector spoke with the childminder and the children when appropriate.  The inspector carried out an evaluation of an activity with the childminder.  The inspector discussed the childminder's self-evaluation, risk assessments, policies and procedures. She looked at a range of other relevant documentation.  The inspector looked at written reviews and parents' questionnaires. She took account of parents' views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The childminder has a genuine zeal for early education and swiftly met the recommendations set at the last inspection. She has re-evaluated and re-modelled the outdoor environment so that children now enjoy a wide range of exciting activities in a safer and more spacious area. She regularly undertakes training to enhance her skills and raise outcomes for children. Recent training has led her to review teaching methods to suit the individual needs of children. She recognises that she can enhance her provision even further by continually sharing ideas with colleagues. All children, including babies, are cared for exceptionally well. Safeguarding arrangements are effective. The childminder understands her responsibilities in relation to child protection issues very well. She knows how to report any concerns about children's welfare to the relevant professionals.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

The childminder models, guides and assists the children superbly in questioning, problem- solving and enjoying what they are doing. For example, she encourages them to think about the height bubbles float to, their colours and shapes, and how they reflect light and images. Children observe changes in colour and size independently when water is added to soil, sand, and other materials. They experiment to find out which materials goosegrass will stick to. The childminder knows how to extend children's language particularly well. She excels at teaching them to listen to sounds in words from a very young age and, when ready, to link sounds to letters of the alphabet. For example, children readily link the sound of the letter 's' to a play dough shape and to the written word 'snake'.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children acquire a wide variety of life skills and gain confidence. The childminder gives children responsibilities as part of their daily routine. For example, under supervision, a child checks that the brake is engaged on the pushchair. In the local forest space children have wonderful opportunities to learn about wildlife. For instance, they learn to identify different birdsongs. They learn how to dress, behave and take precautions for safety when outdoors. They know and can name which plants to avoid. All children have access to a wealth of different physical activities, space and fresh air on local visits. They enjoy an array of healthy snacks.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

All children, including those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities, make excellent progress from their starting points. They develop superb early reading, writing and mathematical skills. For example, children use play dough shapes to compare the differences between squares and rectangles. Children become independent learners, who are exceptionally well prepared for nursery.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY410824 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 1094349 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 11 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 11

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 16 January 2015

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2010 and works from 8am until 5.45pm from Monday to Friday, for most of the year. She holds a relevant early years qualification at level 3.

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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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