Lack, Rachael Elizabeth

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 enjoy their time with the childminder. They are settled and secure, showing strong bonds with her. Children play happily in the garden, popping bubbles and counting along with the childminder. The childminder has high expectations of children and encourages them to dress themselves and independently access the bathroom for hygiene practices. For example, children get their shoes and put them on before going into the garden.

p.2

The provision is good

Children show a consistent understanding of feelings and behaviour as they remind each other of the rules of the setting. They are kind to each other and play cooperatively during activities. Children gain a good understanding of safety as they use safety knives to prepare their own snack. Children develop good physical skills. They smile as they pedal bikes around the garden.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder works with parents to get to know children well. She quickly forms nurturing relationships with children, and they settle well in her care. As a result, they feel confident to explore the range of play and learning activities that the childminder provides. The childminder has maintained links with parents during the COVID-19 pandemic. She shares regular written updates about what the children are doing and regularly communicates with parents electronically.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder helps children to develop their independence skills. Children independently wash their hands before eating. They learn about good oral health through discussions with the childminder during mealtimes. For example, they tell the childminder 'you have to brush your teeth so they are not black'. n The childminder provides free choice for children by making resources available at low level, and providing opportunities to free flow between the indoor space and outdoors. The outdoor learning environment incorporates numbers in various activities, such as hopscotch, sand and water. The childminder makes good use of the outdoor space as a means for teaching the children. n The childminder plans activities based on their interests and considers what the children already know. She talks confidently about children in her care and can recall their developmental needs. Activities are set up to challenge the children.

p.2

need to do better?

However, when children change the direction of an activity, the childminder does not always follow this lead to reshape activities to children's emerging needs. n Children enjoy sharing books with the childminder. She introduces new words through stories and reads in a way that sparks their interest. Children listen intently and join in with excitement as they recall familiar phrases and ask questions. This helps all children to make good progress in their communication and language development.

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need to do better?

26 May 2022 n Parents are positive about the care that the childminder provides. They comment that the childminder is 'kind and nurturing, encouraging and fair' and children are 'having the best time in amazing hands'. Interactions between the childminder and children are pleasing, and children feel comfortable communicating their needs and inviting her to their play. n Children choose between strawberries, pears and bananas as they are offered balanced and nutritious meals and snacks. The childminder encourages the children to try new healthy foods, and children show the inspector where they get their water from. n The childminder has links with the local school to help with the transition process of the children. She helps them to prepare for school by ensuring that they are confident and can socialise with others. For example, children show pride when showing skills that they have learned. n The childminder keeps up to date with her training. She makes sure any

p.2

need to do better?

required training is completed on time, such as refreshing her safeguarding knowledge and learning about local safeguarding issues. She communicates with other childminders to share new ideas and develop good practice.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows how to prevent potential harm to children. Safeguarding information is displayed in her home so she can quickly make referrals if she needs to. The childminder is alert to wider safeguarding issues, such as risks to children within their local community. She makes sure that parents are kept informed of any accidents to children using written records.

p.3

should:

n develop confidence to follow children's lead during activities and to reshape these to reflect children's emerging needs.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY556561 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10174907 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 4 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2018 and lives in Leighton Buzzard. She operates all year round from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

p.4

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 her evaluation of the provision. n The childminder and inspector completed a discussion about how the curriculum is organised and what they intend children to learn while in their care. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with the childminder at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n Children spoke to the inspector about the activities they were doing. n The inspector and childminder completed a joint evaluation of an activity. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of persons living and working in the household. n A number of parents and children provided the inspector with written feedback

p.5

Inspection activities

for the inspection. The inspector took account of their views.

p.5

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

26 May 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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