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 Good

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The provision requires improvement

Children are not provided with a curriculum that consistently challenges and extends their learning and development. The quality of the childminder's interactions with the children is variable. For example, the childminder does not always stimulate children's curiosity and development as they play. Additionally, the childminder has not fulfilled her statutory duty to complete a written summary of children's progress and development when they are aged between two and three years. The childminder is currently developing her range of resources. However, some resources are inaccessible and stacked haphazardly in closed cupboards, and the range of outdoor resources to support the children's enjoyment and development is limited. This restricts opportunities for the children to explore, practise newly acquired skills and to develop their own play, ideas and creativity.

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The provision requires improvement

Nevertheless, children demonstrate that they are settled. Children develop their hand-to-eye coordination skills as they learn to carefully place wooden monkeys on the branches of the tree in the pretend zoo. They are encouraged to imitate animals sounds, to repeat the animal names, such as 'penguin' and to count the animals. Additionally, the childminder sings rhymes, such as 'Twinkle, twinkle little star' to the children. Younger children rock their bodies to demonstrate their enjoyment. Children handle tools, such as rolling pins and cutters as they mould the dough.

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need to do better?

n The childminder demonstrates a willingness to continue to improve her practice. She completes required mandatory training and is currently receiving support from the local authority to increase her knowledge of how to provide a broad and balanced curriculum, and how to support children with identified additional needs. However, prior to their involvement, the childminder had not sought additional professional development opportunities to enhance her knowledge and skills. n The childminder does not always structure the curriculum to build on what children know and can do. On occasions, she does not spontaneously challenge children's thinking and the range of accessible resources does not always support the children to explore and develop their own play and ideas. Furthermore, the childminder has not completed the required written summary of children's progress and development, which is a legal requirement.

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need to do better?

n The childminder does not consistently implement effective hygiene routines, which increases the risk of cross-infection. For example, the childminder does not always support young children to wash their hands before eating. Additionally, on the day of the inspection, the childminder had not removed the cat's litter tray from an area used by the children.

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need to do better?

28 April 2022 n The childminder can identify and is aware of potential hazards in her garden. However, her daily risk assessment procedures of some aspects of the environment are not robust enough. For example, the childminder does not always ensure that her front door is locked, and she had not replaced a protective cover on an exposed valve on a radiator. n Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure in the childminder's care. They approach the childminder for cuddles and reassurance if they feel upset, which supports their emotional development. Parents receive a daily verbal exchange of information about their child's day. n The childminder implements appropriate behaviour management strategies to support the children to learn to manage their emotions. From a young age, children are encouraged to share the resources and to take their turn. n Children enjoy meal and snack times. They sit together around a child-sized

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need to do better?

table and demonstrate appropriate self-care skills, such as using a spoon to feed themselves. The childminder joins the children and encourages good table manners.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder demonstrates a sound knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse, including wider aspects of safeguarding, such as female genital mutilation. She understands how to make a referral if she is concerned about a child in her care. This supports her to keep children safe and supports their well-being. The childminder ensures children are kept safe on outings. For example, the childminder discussed how she ensures younger children are safely strapped into their pushchair when they walk to the park.

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Due date

ensure professional development opportunities are used to independently identify gaps in knowledge, skills and practice that will help raise the quality of the curriculum, interactions and learning activities provided for children 01/07/2022

p.3

Due date

ensure a review of children's progress and a written summary of their development is completed for all children aged between two and three years 01/07/2022

p.3

Due date

28 April 2022 take all reasonable steps to ensure children are not exposed to risk of harm. 06/05/2022

p.3

should:

n improve the range of resources and opportunities that enable children to explore and develop their own play and ideas in the indoor and outdoor environments n implement effective hygiene routines to reduce the risk of cross-infection.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY539680 Local authority Bedford Inspection number 10238225 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 3 Date of previous inspection 23 January 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017. She lives in Shortstown, Bedford. She operates from 7.30am to 5pm, all year round except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder 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 provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. 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 looked at relevant documentation and the evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household. n The inspector took account of the views of parents from written feedback.

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Inspection activities

28 April 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

28 April 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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