Childminder in Buckinghamshire

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children access a safe and secure environment, which is welcoming and homely. They are happy and settled in the childminder's care. Children eagerly explore the high-quality resources, inside and out. For example, they are particularly excited to access the garden. They have great fun as they play 'What's the time Mr Wolf' with the childminder and count steps, screaming with delight, as Mr Wolf says 'It's dinner time.'

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The provision is good

The childminder promotes children's personal, social and emotional development very well. Children are exceptionally well behaved. They have a deep understanding of the childminder's rules, which they follow in an exemplary manner. For example, older toddlers remind younger children that they must not throw sand and why. Very young children manage their personal care and show exceptionally high levels of independence. For example, they know to wash their hands after going to the toilet without being prompted.

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The provision is good

The childminder provides a variety of learning experiences that form a well- rounded curriculum. The childminder has high expectations for every child and is fully aware of the need to ensure all children have the opportunity to achieve their full potential. Children are prepared well for their next stages in learning and develop particular skills in relation to their age.

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need to do better?

n The childminder builds excellent relationships with the families of children who attend the setting. They comment very positively about the care their children receive. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the childminder has kept in touch with parents and supported them to continue their children's learning at home. For example, she provided parents with home-made dough and story sacks to use at home. Parents comment on this and how it helped their children to keep a contact with the childminder. Parents commented on the wide range of activities and wonderful outings that she provides for their children. Additionally, parents are very happy with the progress their children make. n The childminder is clear about what she wants children to learn. She provides a well-planned curriculum that successfully builds on children's starting points and prior knowledge. For example, once children master identifying the initial letter

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need to do better?

and sound in their names, she challenges them further to link letters to the sounds they represent to encourage children to make three-letter words. The childminder often asks children questions as she interacts with them, and they are very keen to join in. However, sometimes, she does not give all children time to answer questions or share their own ideas. n The childminder and the co-childminder provide care routines in a very sensitive

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need to do better?

14 October 2021 and caring manner that promotes young children's self-esteem. Nappy-changing times include the singing of nursery rhymes to engage children's attention. Children clap their hands along in enjoyment. At sleep time, the childminder settles children in a calm and homely environment with cuddles and their comforters. n Children develop a positive awareness and understanding of numbers, shapes and quantities. For instance, while making their own sandwiches, the childminder asks them if they want to cut them into squares or triangles. They discuss the sides and count the corners. In the garden, children fill pots with sand and discuss 'more' and 'less' and count the number of spoonfuls it takes to fill the pot to the top. n Children enjoy being active and independent. For example, they put on their shoes and wellingtons when they play outside, and they help to clear away after snacks and lunch. Children are confident to ask for what they need, such as

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need to do better?

extra fruit after lunchtime. n The childminder and co-childminder are truly committed to promoting equality and diversity with the children. They teach children about respecting each other and their differences through the use of books and resources to reinforce important messages. They regularly visit local toddler groups and shops to learn about people in the community who can help them.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a secure understanding of the signs she must look out for that may indicate a child is at risk of harm, such as unusual physical marks. She understands the procedure she must follow if she has a safeguarding concern, including quickly reporting to the appropriate agencies, maintaining the correct documentation and storing records securely. She knows that she must report any concerns about adults who work with children to the appropriate professionals. She keeps her knowledge of current legislation and wider safeguarding issues up to date. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the childminder opened as soon as it was safe to do so to support families. She took steps to keep everyone safe, such as asking parents to drop off and collect their children on the doorstep. Parents and children adapted well to this change.

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should:

n build on ways to ask more open-ended questions and give children enough time to think and respond, to further develop their language and communication skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY561299 Local authority Buckinghamshire Inspection number 10190787 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 10 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2018. The childminder cares for children from Monday to Thursday from 7.30am to 5.30pm most of the year. The childminder works as a co-childminder in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. She holds a relevant childcare qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 pandemic began. 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 childminder and the inspector carried out a learning walk of the areas used by the children and discussed the setting's aims. n The inspector observed interactions between the childminder and the children, and reviewed the impact on the children. n The inspector took account of parents' views through written feedback provided. n The childminder provided documentation for the inspector to sample, including evidence of suitability and children's records.

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Inspection activities

14 October 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

14 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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