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 that they feel happy and secure in the childminder's care. They move around her home freely, and they enjoy choosing toys and activities. The childminder has high expectations for children and supports their learning very well. Children display good levels of concentration. Their skills are developing in line with or above expectations. For example, when using dough, children skilfully use their hands for rolling, cutting and kneading.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy imaginative play, and they eagerly involve the childminder. For example, they pretend to be doctors and know how to use a toy stethoscope to listen to a heart beat. The childminder talks to children about what they are doing. She asks them questions, and this results in children giving clear explanations, such as describing hearing the heart going 'boom, boom'.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are developing self-help skills and their behaviour is good. They readily tidy away toys they have finished playing with, and they spontaneously take bowls back into the kitchen when they have finished eating. The childminder helps children to understand how to develop healthy lifestyles. For example, they grow vegetables in the garden. The childminder says that children are more eager to try new foods when they have grown them.

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need to do better?

n During the first COVID-19 (coronavirus) national lockdown the children did not attend. The childminder sought ways she could keep in touch with them effectively. For example, she held doorstep chats with children and parents. This helped children quickly settle back in with the childminder. In depth discussions with parents helped her to quickly reassess children's developmental levels to ensure they had not fallen behind in their learning. n Children are developing a great interest in books. They enjoy choosing books from the wide selection available to them. The childminder uses books and stories to encourage children to talk. For example, she pauses when reading so that children can describe what they see in pictures. The childminder's effective questioning gives children opportunities to think, and it extends their observational skills. n The childminder gathers detailed information from parents to help her assess

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need to do better?

children's starting points in learning. She uses this information effectively to plan interesting activities which support children's ongoing development. The childminder monitors children's learning closely to help ensure they make good progress. n Children's mathematical understanding is developing well. Young children enjoy counting animals in the pictures, and the sensitive prompting from the

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need to do better?

25 May 2021 childminder helps them to learn what number comes next. Children learn about shape and space, such as when using shape sorters and fixing the train track together. n The childminder provides many opportunities for outdoor exercise and for physical play. She understands the importance of this for children's health and well-being. Children have daily walks and use the garden regularly. The childminder gives children time to appreciate nature, such as keeping still and quiet when children want to watch snails move around. n Parents speak positively about the childminder. They state that she encourages good behaviour, kindness and respect. Parents say children are very happy to attend and enjoy the many activities the childminder provides for them. n The childminder undertakes training and research to help keep her knowledge and skills relevant and up to date. She is currently planning for her ongoing

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need to do better?

professional development to help her raise the quality of education to a higher level. n The childminder cares for a diverse group of children. She has a good understanding of each child's family and culture. Children gain some awareness of similarities and differences, such as within the food they eat. However, the childminder does not fully support children to celebrate their own and each other's uniqueness and differences.

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 which helps to widen her knowledge. She has secure procedures in place to keep children safe. The childminder carries out thorough risk assessments to make sure her home and garden are safe and secure for children to use. She has introduced further safety measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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should:

n provide further opportunities for children to learn about and to celebrate their own uniqueness and to develop a deeper understanding of each other.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY548061 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10173997 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 3 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire. She operates all year round from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, except for family holidays and bank holidays.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 pandemic. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken this into account in her evaluation of the provider. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk of the childminder's home. This included a tour of all areas used with the children and a discussion about how the childminder operates her practice. n The inspector observed the childminder joining in activities with the children, and she discussed with the childminder the learning that was taking place. n A sample of policies and procedures was reviewed by the inspector, which included documents relating to safeguarding, complaints and the suitability of household members.

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Inspection activities

25 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

25 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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