Childminder in Bedford

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

The quality of interactions between the childminder and her assistant with the children are variable. They do not always stimulate and challenge the children's curiosity and interests as they play. Some children, occasionally, wander around with no purpose to their play. Additionally, opportunities for the children to explore and develop their own play and ideas in the designated playroom are, sometimes, restricted. This is due to the number of children in the room and resources scattered on the floor.

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The provision requires improvement

Nevertheless, children demonstrate that they enjoy their time in the childminder's and her assistant's care. Younger children enjoy looking at picture books and point to the pictures. They learn the names of different animals and their associated sounds. Younger children are encouraged to 'moo' like a cow, and are introduced to words, such as 'splash', when they listen to the story. Older children sort toy bears according to their colour and learn to differentiate between big, small, more and less. They learn to count and are beginning to sequence a pattern. Children learn how to handle scissors safely and develop their cutting skills.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder demonstrates a professional attitude and is eager to continue to improve her practice. She completes required mandatory training and has accessed additional training to develop her knowledge and skills. However, this is not yet having a positive enough impact on the quality of the education provided for the children. The childminder supervises the work of her assistant. However, this requires further evaluation to ensure they have the knowledge, skills and practice to raise the quality of the learning activities provided and their interactions with the children. n The childminder and her assistant do not always structure their curriculum to build on what the children know and can do. For example, when children become interested in their play, they do not always use the opportunity to spontaneously challenge children's thinking, ask probing questions and motivate their curiosity. Additionally, opportunities for the children to instigate and

p.2

need to do better?

develop their own play and ideas in the designated playroom are, sometimes, restricted. n Children develop appropriate attachments with the childminder and her assistant. They demonstrate that they feel safe and secure and approach them for help and reassurance when required. This supports children's emotional well- being. n Parents receive a daily verbal exchange of information regarding their child's day and through electronic contact. Parents comment positively about the childminder and say they are pleased with the care their child receives.

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need to do better?

22 February 2022 Additionally, the childminder develops links with staff at the local pre-school and school. She shares information about children's progress and well-being, which supports continuity in their care and learning. n Children develop their self-care skills and learn to take responsibility. Older children are encouraged to independently use the toilet, wash their hands and to dress themselves. Children show developing precision as they use utensils to cut their fruit at snack time. However, the childminder does not consistently ensure that children are provided with the most healthy, balanced and nutritious food options, including fresh drinking water throughout the day.

p.2

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant demonstrate a good knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse, including wider aspects of safeguarding, such as radicalisation and domestic abuse. They understand how to make a referral if they are concerned about a child in their care. This supports them to protect the children in their care. The childminder follows appropriate recruitment and induction procedures. This helps to assure the suitability of her assistants working with the children.

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Due date

improve interactions with the children to ensure all children receive meaningful and challenging learning experiences that build on what children already know and can do 31/03/2022

p.3

Due date

ensure professional development opportunities are used to identify gaps in the assistant's knowledge and skills that will help raise the quality of the curriculum and learning activities provided for the children. 31/03/2022

p.3

should:

n review the organisation of the environment, in particular the playroom, to ensure resources and activities support children's motivation to explore and

p.3

should:

22 February 2022 develop their play and ideas n improve healthy eating options, so that children benefit from learning these key messages from the earliest age.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY553623 Local authority Bedford Inspection number 10174519 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

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 16 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Bedford. She works with assistants and operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

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 their evaluation of the setting. n The childminder showed the inspector the areas of her home that children access. They discussed how the childminder organises her setting and plans the curriculum and experiences for children. n The inspector observed children taking part in activities with the childminder and her assistant, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector took account of the views of parents from speaking to them and written feedback provided at the inspection. n A sample of the childminder's documents was reviewed by the inspector. This included evidence of suitability and training.

p.5

Inspection activities

22 February 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

22 February 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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