Wiffen, Karen

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children show that they are happy and feel safe in the childminder's care. They confidently show visitors photographs of the time when they visited local horses. The childminder supports children's independence and encourages them to complete small tasks for themselves. Children are motivated and eager to learn. They are curious and enjoy discovering how shaving foam feels in the palms of their hands. Children are fascinated to see how it oozes between their fingers when they squeeze their hands together. They laugh as they work out how to make the foam fly into the air if they clap their hands together.

p.2

The provision is good

Children develop a love of books. They choose from a wide selection that capture their interest. Children eagerly make their favourite stories come alive. They match the characters painted on stones to those in the book. Children have a good level of concentration for their age. They are excited to watch a selection of different birds come and go from the bird feeder in the childminder's garden. Children have a 'can-do' attitude as they count the birds and use mathematical language, such as 'under' and 'big', to describe the position and size of the birds.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder plans a wide range of activities to help children make good progress. She knows children well and adapts her teaching to support their individual interests and learning styles. The childminder makes the most of her local environment to enhance children's understanding of different occupations and how things work. For example, they watch construction vehicles prepare the ground for new houses to be built. n The childminder places a strong emphasis on promoting children's language skills. For example, she introduces them to new words, models sounds and single words, and clearly repeats words for young children to copy. Her regular praise and encouragement increase children's sense of achievement, confidence and self-esteem. n The childminder regularly reflects on her practice and obtains the views of parents. She is fully committed to making changes across her provision to raise standards. For example, she is currently looking to enrol on a relevant childcare

p.2

need to do better?

course to further enhance her knowledge and skills. n The childminder is proactive in helping children who have had reduced social interactions with people outside of their home due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic to settle well. She encourages parents to share a video she has made of her home with their children to help them to become familiar with the new environment before they begin attending. n The childminder supports children to lead a healthy lifestyle and provides them with nutritious meals that meet their individual dietary requirements. She

p.2

need to do better?

24 May 2021 encourages them to be physically active and ensures that they follow good hygiene routines. The childminder promotes children's awareness of safety to help them learn to manage risks from a young age. For example, children balance on a wobble board and run freely during daily visits to the park. n The childminder is very positive in her approach and treats children with equal respect. She consistently places a strong focus on building children's social skills, to help support their good behaviour, kindness and respect for one another. This means that children learn to build friendly relationships from an early stage. n The childminder keeps in contact with parents. They appreciate how their children's 'individual needs are met' and the 'variety of experiences' on offer. However, the initial information about children's learning that the childminder obtains from parents is not always sharply focused to fully support her early

p.2

need to do better?

identification of children's precise learning needs. n The childminder is ambitious and keen to continue to improve her ongoing professional development. She learns new information from other childminders and has recently completed safeguarding training online.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a comprehensive knowledge of safeguarding and child protection procedures. She can clearly identify the signs and symptoms which may indicate that a child is at risk of harm. The childminder has a clear understanding of current safeguarding issues and knows the procedures to follow and professionals to contact if she has concerns. The childminder ensures her first-aid qualification is valid and understands she must ensure the required suitability checks are completed for all adults living in the home.

p.3

should:

n consider ways to gather more detailed information from parents when children start, to help plan more precisely based on what they already know and can do.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY554390 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10174475 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 5 Number of children on roll 9 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Biggleswade. She operates from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the 2020-21 COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors. She assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the childminder. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder at appropriate times during the inspection. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household. n The inspector spoke to children during the inspection. She took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided and discussed with the childminder how she reflects on the service she provides.

p.4

Inspection activities

24 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

24 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6