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 settled and very happy in the childminder's home. They show clear bonds with the childminder and demonstrate that they feel safe and secure in their environment. The children have access to a wide range of resources, allowing them to experience all areas of learning. For example, the children play with wooden puzzles and can identify the different colours in detail with confidence. The children solve problems when the childminder asks them how the pieces go back in the puzzle. They learn to turn the pieces round to fit. Children behave well, they show a positive attitude to new experiences and understand the routines in the childminder's home.

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The provision is good

Activities provided promote children's curiosity and development. For example, children explore cereal in a tray. They pour and fill containers, tipping cereal onto the tray and filling up jugs and spoons. Younger children enjoy the sensory experience of scooping the cereal in their hands and listening to the crunch as they squeeze it. Children have a keen interest in literacy and books are easily accessible for children to look at. The childminder regularly reads to the children, they choose from a wide range of textured, 'lift-the-flap', story and information books which encourage their interest in reading.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a good understanding of what children know and need to learn next. She uses this knowledge of how children develop and learn to provide and extend activities. The childminder knows the children extremely well. She gathers detailed information from children's parents when they first start and she assesses what they can already do and need to do next. This supports children's good developmental progress. n The childminder uses lots of opportunities to help children learn new language. For example, she takes the opportunity to sing a nursery rhyme when a child starts singing 'row, row your boat'. The children confidently sing along with the childminder and join in the actions to the nursery rhyme. Children show that they understand new words as they use them correctly, for example singing 'row row' as they move in a rowing action. Younger children babble away and the childminder responds to them, leaving gaps for them to reply. This helps them

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need to do better?

to learn how conversations work. n The childminder encourages all children to be independent. Children manage their own self-care skills independently from a young age. Children who need support use stools, so they can reach the sink to wash their own hands. They have the opportunity to use tools for a purpose. For example, the childminder closely supervises children to use knives to cut up fruit they have chosen for their snack. However, at times the childminder does not take opportunities to

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need to do better?

12 January 2022 shape activities to ensure all the children are equally included at an age- appropriate level. n Ongoing discussions with children help them understand about safety. For example, the childminder explains to the children not to go near the hot oven. She uses comprehensive risk assessments to ensure her home remains safe and suitable for the children to use. For example, she has used measures, such as cupboard locks and stairgates, to ensure that children do not have access to unsafe or unsuitable items while they explore her home. n The childminder provides broad opportunities for children to develop their social skills. This helps to support their readiness for the next stage in the learning, including school. They visit local toddler groups and parks as well as meeting with other childminders. Children can develop their confidence to interact with others. n The childminder has a good attitude towards training and development. She

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need to do better?

identifies her own training needs and attends relevant training to meet the specific needs of the children she cares for. For example, she intends to complete training in Makaton signing to support those children who use it. She has a good understanding of how to meet the needs of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities to help all children reach their full potential.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities to promote children's welfare. She has completed relevant training and keeps her knowledge up to date. She demonstrates a secure understanding of signs and symptoms of potential abuse and understands how to refer and report concerns to relevant agencies. She ensures that the children are kept safe in her care as she follows robust health and safety procedures.

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should:

n consider the range of ages and abilities of children present, to engage children more equally in planned activities according to their needs.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY549696 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10130777 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 5 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017. She lives in Henlow, Bedfordshire. She operates all year around from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Wednesday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The childminder joined the inspector on a learning walk. She talked to the inspector about the curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided. She discussed children's progress with the childminder. n The inspector discussed an observation of an activity with the childminder. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation. This included evidence of childminder suitability, the complaints record and safeguarding documents. n The inspector spoke to the childminder about feedback from parents and took their views into account.

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Inspection activities

12 January 2022 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

12 January 2022 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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