Childminder in Luton

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in this highly inclusive, stimulating and nurturing environment. They show consistently positive attitudes to learn and make rapid levels of progress. Many children demonstrate their readiness for school well in advance of the time that they move on. Children show that they feel safe and know they are listened to and valued. They become increasingly confident to share their thoughts and ideas.

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The provision is outstanding

Children access a curriculum that is extremely ambitious, child focused and meticulously planned by the childminder. The provision of exciting home-made resources and excellent methods of teaching consistently capture children's curiosity. Children have time to practise new skills, often returning to favourite activities to help consolidate their learning. For example, in the playroom, children explore how numbers have value as they engage in role play. They sell pretend flowers and freshly prepared sandwiches from their flower stall. Children's learning is enriched further through the use of real-life items, such as coins and a purse to make payment. Children have access to a wealth of vibrant materials to foster their creativity as they choose to make their own flowers.

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The provision is outstanding

Children show high levels of respect for others. Everyday routines, such as the morning 'welcome time' and carefully chosen stories they share, help them to talk about their feelings and learn acceptable ways to behave. Children show incredible honesty when they make mistakes and the resilience and determination to keep on trying when faced with difficulty.

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need to do better?

n The highly reflective and inspiring childminder continually sources opportunities to build on and share her extensive subject knowledge. She shows great pride and commitment through the training and voluntary work she completes with the local authority. This is to support a new initiative to extend children's communication and language skills. The childminder shares her expertise with the families that she meets and provides feedback to the local authority. n Children achieve the best possible outcomes. For example, those who struggled to make themselves understood when they first started, now confidently use language to share what they have learned. Even the youngest children have the ability to communicate their needs. This is supported incredibly well through the use of basic sign language that all the children learn to use. n Children have superb opportunities to explore mathematics. For example, as

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need to do better?

they sing familiar songs about currant buns and aliens, they learn to count numbers in sequence and complete simple calculations. Outdoors, they excitedly search for numbers that have been hidden around the garden. Many children excel beyond expectation as they ably recognise figures up to 20.

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need to do better?

10 March 2020 n Children are keen to make predictions and solve problems. They explore how magnets work as they try them on different items and discover they are not able to move anything that is metal or fluffy. They use a tape measure to check out the estimations they have made of other peoples' arm length and foot size. n Children have marvellous opportunities to learn outdoors. For example, they access an allotment at one of the weekly groups they attend, to observe how things grow. Children take ownership of the activities. On their regular visits to the zoo, they guide other children around to see the animals. They talk about where the trains and buses they travel on could take them. n Children benefit from a rich set of experiences to appreciate diversity. For instance, they share cultural foods, such as Welsh cakes as part of St David's Day celebrations. The childminder has in-depth discussions with children about

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need to do better?

differences. She has painted each child a small wooden figure of themselves to use. When asked why the figure for the visitor she has made has no face, the childminder explains that this is because not all visitors will look the same. n Children show exceptional self-help skills. They manage their own personal needs and know the importance of thorough handwashing. Children who feel cold after playing outdoors jump vigorously on the spot as they know this will help to warm them up. They quickly notice when they have walked dry mud in on their boots and independently access the dustpan and brush to clear this away. n The childminder places a strong emphasis on partnership working. She ensures parents receive detailed information about their child's progress and listens to their suggestions to inform her plans. She has recently introduced a 'lending library' to encourage parents to take books home to read with their children.

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need to do better?

Parents have high praise for the childminder. They describe her as being 'awesome' and say the work she does is 'excellent' and that she goes 'above and beyond'. The childminder actively finds out information about children's learning at the other settings they attend, to further enhance their activities.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder is very aware of her responsibility to promote children's welfare. She has an extensive knowledge of the different signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. The childminder knows the correct reporting procedures to follow in line with her local authority. She keeps herself up to date with the wider issues families may face in the local area. The childminder has robust systems in place to ensure her assistant remains suitable and that she has the necessary skills required to carry out her role effectively.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY259353 Local authority Luton Inspection number 10137451 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 8 Date of previous inspection 13 May 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2003 and lives in Luton. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 2. She is registered to work with an assistant. The childminder provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector discussed the curriculum with the childminder and completed a joint evaluation of the activities that she provides for children. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder. She looked at relevant documentation, including evidence of her first-aid qualification and public liability insurance. n The inspector spoke to and interacted with children during the inspection. n The inspector took account of the views of parents through discussions on the day and by reading written feedback provided.

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Inspection activities

10 March 2020 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

10 March 2020 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

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