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 are secure, settled and confident. They demonstrate positive attitudes and participate eagerly. The childminder knows the children well. She makes good use of their interests to plan activities so that these excite children and ignite their interest and curiosity. For example, children interested in cars develop their creativity and communication skills. They make their own roads and talk about the colours of the cars as they match these to colour-coded parking spaces. The childminder sensitively recognises potential anxieties caused by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic and considers the effect these may have on children and their families. For example, she uses electronic messaging and daily photographs to let parents know what children have been doing. This also offers parents a way of sharing children's activities, experiences and progress at home.

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The provision is good

Children respond positively to the praise and encouragement the childminder offers. This helps build their self-esteem and they persevere when learning new skills. For example, children are proud of themselves as they learn to use safety knives to cut fruit at snack time. Children behave well. They speak calmly and politely to others. They learn to work cooperatively together. For example, they play simple picture card games.

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need to do better?

n The childminder assesses children's progress and plans their next steps, carefully considering any potential gaps in learning. She offers relevant activities and is clear about what she wants to help children learn. She remains focused but skilfully enables children to take the lead, develop new skills and refine existing ones. For example, children develop their vocabulary as they describe their play with pasta. They also improve the control of their smaller hand muscles as they use scissors to cut the pasta. n The childminder supports children in developing their language skills. She speaks clearly and shows a genuine interest in what children are doing, encouraging them to describe their activities. This particularly supports children who speak English as an additional language. All children make good progress and demonstrate confidence and enthusiasm as they talk about their play. n The childminder understands children's experiences and offers them

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need to do better?

opportunities that help them to develop skills for the future. For example, children develop physical skills and learn about their community and the wider world as they participate in outdoor play and visit local areas. n Where children attend other childcare settings, the childminder talks with staff so that she understands what children are doing. She builds strong partnerships with parents. They speak highly of the childminder and feel she supports them well in extending their children's learning. They comment that she builds

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need to do better?

11 May 2021 children's confidence, communication and social skills so that they are well prepared when they move on. n Thoughtful daily practice and routines help children to settle and feel comfortable. They enjoy the childminder's company and naturally include her in their play. Children are content to explore independently and readily share resources and include others in their play. This supports them in understanding and respecting the needs of others. n Children become independent and develop a practical understanding of how to keep themselves safe and healthy. For instance, the childminder shows young children how to wipe their nose, dispose of the tissue and wash their hands. She gently and consistently repeats this until they can successfully meet their own needs. n The childminder encourages children's love of books. She pays attention to children's favourite characters and provides associated books, helping children to

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need to do better?

make their own models related to these. Children demonstrate a genuine enjoyment and excitement as they choose books and read them. n The childminder does not always encourage children to think further about the problems they encounter as they play, to express their ideas and test these out. n Through her ongoing evaluation, the childminder has identified areas of practice to improve further. However, she does not always make the best use of training and development opportunities to swiftly improve her practice.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder is clear about her responsibility to promote and protect children's welfare. She keeps her knowledge of safeguarding up to date. This enables her to quickly notice any concerns about children's welfare and report these to the appropriate professionals. The childminder demonstrates a good appreciation of the risks associated with extreme views and practices and the impact these could have on children and their families. She understands the potential dangers linked with use of the internet and takes effective action to protect children. She helps children understand how to use information and communication technology safely.

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should:

n support children to develop their problem-solving skills, to think about the problems they encounter, express their ideas and solutions and test these out n make more targeted use of professional development opportunities, to swiftly improve identified weaknesses.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY551754 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10174272 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 13 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Hitchin. 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. She provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the 2020-21 COVID-19 pandemic. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in the evaluation of the setting. n The inspector observed activities and assessed the impact these have on children's learning. She carried out a tour of the home with the childminder to discuss and understand how the early years provision is organised. n The childminder and inspector reviewed an activity together. Children spoke to the inspector about their activities and the things they like most about being with the childminder. n The inspector talked with parents on the telephone and took account of their views. n The inspector reviewed evidence of the suitability of household members.

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Inspection activities

11 May 2021 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 May 2021 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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