McGonigle, Linda

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 happy and secure in the care of the childminder. They are continually busy and move around the house with purpose. Children use chalks on boards to make marks. They know where to find paper and enjoy practising their early drawing and writing skills. Children learn about numbers and counting as they play, which is supported by the childminder. Children take small wooden bees out of a puzzle, and the childminder counts how many they drop into a pot. Children skilfully use pincer grips to take out and return small pieces to the puzzle. These activities help children to develop the skills they need for their future learning.

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The provision is good

Children are excited to go outside and they enjoy walks in the local community. They listen well to the childminder as they walk along quiet roads. She clearly explains to children why they need to sit in the pushchair when they are near to busy roads in order to stay safe. Children's favourite activity is visiting a local community garden. They explore bug hotels and fairy gardens. Children are active as they climb over logs, and they balance well as they walk across them. Children are keen to do things for themselves, such as preparing fruit for snack. They engage well in independent play and learning. Overall, children's behaviour is good.

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need to do better?

n During the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the childminder has continued to offer care for children whose parents are key workers. She explains how walks to the community garden have been vital to the children's and her own well- being throughout this time. The childminder identifies gaps in some children's social development, due to the restrictions of the pandemic. She talks about how she is providing more time for children to meet with others, such as at childminder groups. This is having a positive impact on children's development and well-being. n The childminder gets to know children well. She spends time with parents to find out what early experiences their children have had and what they can already do when they start to attend her setting. This enables the childminder to quickly identify and plan for what children need to learn next. n Children are learning how to develop healthy lifestyles. They know to wash their

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need to do better?

hands before meals and take great delight in eating vegetables, such as broccoli. The childminder shares books with children to help them understand how to keep their teeth strong and healthy. n Through discussion, the childminder explains how she helps older children to prepare for their future learning, such as when moving on to school. For example, she gives them many opportunities to develop independence skills, such as dressing themselves. The childminder plans activities for older children

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need to do better?

4 October 2021 which are linked to reading and writing. For example, she introduces letter sounds as children begin to recognise and show an interest in writing their name. n Children are developing good speech and language skills. They enjoy repeating words the childminder says. Young children use gestures to ask for help, such as holding out their hands when they want the childminder's support to walk across logs. n Parents speak positively about the childminder. They state that their children settle very quickly and are making good progress. Parents say that the childminder regularly shares information with them so that they know how to support their children's learning at home. n The childminder reflects on her practice and looks for ways to improve. She undertakes training to help her to keep her knowledge and skills up to date. The childminder is currently embedding new procedures to help her track children's

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need to do better?

ongoing progress even more closely. She talks about how she networks with other childminders. They share ideas and support each other in practical ways. The childminder states this impacts positively on her practice and well-being. n Overall, children listen well to the childminder and respond positively to her requests. However, there are occasions when the childminder is not clear about what she is expecting children to do. Consequently, children do not always understand and so they do not respond appropriately.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of how to recognise any signs that children may be at risk of harm or extremist behaviour. She understands her responsibility to maintain records and to report any concerns she may have about children's welfare. The childminder holds detailed information of the relevant agencies in her local area. She has a clear safeguarding policy in place, which she uses to underpin her practice. The childminder shares this with parents to help them know how she safeguards their children.

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should:

n ensure that children are given clear and consistent information at all times, to help them to understand rules and expectations.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY563627 Local authority Luton Inspection number 10191562 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 6 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2018 and lives in Luton. She operates all year round from 7am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the setting. n The inspector and the childminder looked at the areas of the home that are used with children and discussed how the childminder operates her practice. n The inspector observed the childminder joining in activities with children and discussed the learning that was taking place with her. She accompanied the childminder and children on a walk. n A sample of policies and procedures was looked at by the inspector, which included documents relating to safeguarding, complaints and the suitability of household members. 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 account of the views of parents and discussed the

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Inspection activities

childminder's reflections of 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

4 October 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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