Childminder in Central Bedfordshire

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children demonstrate they feel secure and content in the childminder's care. They enjoy spending time in the playroom where they can choose which toys they want to play with. The childminder is aware of what children's interests are and takes these into consideration in her planning of activities and outings. For example, she takes children who are interested in transport to visit the local fire station and to watch trains passing on a nearby track.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder helps children to understand how to develop healthy lifestyles. For example, she provides them with many opportunities for exercise. Children know to wash their hands before eating, and they instinctively sit at the table at snack times. The childminder gives children opportunities to carry out tasks for themselves, such as when they help to chop fruit for snack. She teaches children how to use tools safely by modelling how to use knives.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder takes time to reflect on her practice and identify areas to improve. She shows pride in her achievements, for example how she has developed her home into an effective learning environment. She talks about her ongoing, ambitious plans to expand her setting and to provide high-quality education to all children she cares for.

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need to do better?

n The childminder uses her good knowledge of children to tailor her care and teaching to each child's needs. She plans her activities based on children's interests and next steps in learning, and this helps them to make good progress. n The childminder teaches children well through her interactions with them. She introduces children to numbers, for instance by helping them to count how many pieces of fruit they have. At other times, the childminder gives children time to explore space and shape. For example, they work out where to place blocks as they build towers. n Children enjoy looking at books and listening to the childminder read stories to them. They show a good understanding of how to gain information from pictures. Children demonstrate this by pointing and looking under flaps at relevant times in stories. n Parents speak positively about the childminder. They state she provides a stimulating environment where children have fun. Parents say they have peace

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need to do better?

of mind that their children are safe and well cared for when in the childminder's care. n Children behave well, and the childminder helps them to develop strong social skills. For example, she suggests they invite visitors to join in with interactive rhymes. This increases children's confidence, as they learn to interact with

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need to do better?

11 September 2019 others within a safe environment. n The childminder thinks about ways she can continually develop her health and safety practices. For example, she is providing high-visibility jackets for children when they are on outings. The childminder talks about how this will help her to supervise children even more closely. n Children are learning how to operate battery-controlled toys. For example, they know where to find a button to press to make a bubble machine work. They watch intently what happens as they switch it on and off. This is a positive start to learning skills in using technology. n The childminder takes note of what children are learning about at nursery or school. She plans extra activities based on the same themes. This reinforces children's developing knowledge and promotes continuity in their learning. n The childminder is very enthusiastic in her interactions with children, and they

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need to do better?

play well with her. However, at times, the childminder's eagerness impacts on children's engagement in learning. For example, she often suggests that children might want to change activities when they are playing happily.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of how to recognise and respond to any signs that children may be at risk of harm. She is aware of how to pass on concerns to the relevant agencies in her local area. The childminder undertakes regular training and research to keep her knowledge relevant and up to date. She has secure procedures in place to keep children safe. For example, she clearly records the times that children are in her care and clearly understands how many children she can legally care for.

p.3

should:

n provide children with more time to engage freely with their play, in order to enhance their learning to the highest possible levels.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY544430 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10104098 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder Age range of children 1 to 7 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 8 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 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 holds an appropriate qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector looked at the areas of the childminder's home that she uses with children and discussed how she operates her childminding setting. n The inspector observed the childminder joining in activities with children and discussed the learning that was taking place with her. n The inspector looked at a sample of policies and procedures which included documents relating to safeguarding and complaints. n The inspector discussed the needs of individual children with the childminder and talked with her about the progress they are making. n The inspector took into account the written views of parents and discussed the childminder's reflections on her practice with her.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

11 September 2019 11 September 2019 regulates and inspects to 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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