Childminder in Bedford

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in this nurturing and engaging environment. They settle with ease and are eager to learn. Children flourish from the consistent and thoughtful interactions with the childminder. For example, she supports their developing communication by repeating and extending on what they have said. As a result, children become more self-assured when engaging with others. The childminder is passionate about providing children with the highest quality of care and education.

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The provision is outstanding

Children show a love of books. From the moment they arrive, they self-select stories to be shared with the childminder and to explore by themselves. The childminder engages children by drawing them into the story. She asks questions and encourages children to show their understanding by acting out what has been read. Children take pleasure from learning new words, such as 'spicy' and 'tingle', when reading a story about a hot chilli pepper.

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The provision is outstanding

Children engage in a range of activities that allow them to explore the natural world. The childminder ensures that all opportunities support their physical skills, mathematics and communication and language development. For example, children crush egg shells in a pestle and mortar to stop the snails from eating their plants. The childminder encourages the children to use their muscles to grind it one more time to make the pieces smaller. This sparks a conversation about what snails eat and where they live.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is exemplary. Children are calm and contented and happily play together. They care about one another and clearly understand the exceptionally high expectations. Children are quick to include others in their play. For example, when playing with musical instruments, children ask for an additional bell to ensure no one is left out.

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need to do better?

n This outdoor childminder provides children with an experience full of opportunities to challenge and engage their learning. This means that children benefit from an interesting and versatile environment. For example, they make 'eco bricks' out of wet scraps of paper to use in the wood stove when it gets cold. The environment allows children to take controlled risks and develop a variety of skills that will help them in their future learning. n The childminder expertly plans a curriculum that focuses on the essential skills and knowledge children need to progress in their learning. She is highly skilled in her teaching and uses opportunities to further challenge and extend young children's understanding. For example, when the lid of the 'Jack in a Box' does not shut, the childminder explains that the song has to finish for it to close. The

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need to do better?

21 June 2022 children repeat their efforts and are excited when the lid successfully closes. n The childminder is swift to identify and support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Highly effective partnerships with parents and professionals allow her to ensure all children have the same meaningful opportunities. The childminder works closely with professionals to ensure early support is put in place to help children make the best possible progress. n The childminder regularly targets training and development opportunities to support the quality of her practice. For example, following recent training on how to plan an environment to support communication, the childminder developed an inviting and stimulating learning environment that engages children to become fully engaged in meaningful play and promote purposeful talk. n Children demonstrate a high level of independence. A progression of skills is

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need to do better?

taught from an early age, which allows children to access their environment independently. For example, young children climb up foot holes on a climbing frame. The childminder observes with words of encouragement, such as 'pull' and 'up'. She knows when to intervene and when to stand back and let the learning happen. n The childminder has very strong relationships with parents, who share her ethos of outdoor childcare. Parents speak very highly about the care and learning experiences their children receive. The childminder communicates with parents daily and shares the wonderful learning their children have experienced throughout the day and how they can continue the learning at home. Through early conversations with the parents, the childminder is able to gain an accurate and highly detailed understanding of what the children need to know and how she can support their development from the start.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant have an excellent understanding of their role in protecting children from harm and reporting any concerns that may arise. They recognise the signs and symptoms of the main types of abuse and know what steps to take to protect the children in the setting. The childminder has completed relevant training to secure her knowledge and understanding of her role and responsibilities. She completes safeguarding audits to identify any areas that she needs to update and refresh. She provides a safe and secure environment and ensures that children are protected from any potential hazards.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY402278 Local authority Bedford Inspection number 10137490 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 8 Number of children on roll 8 Date of previous inspection 1 February 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2010 and lives in Bedford. She operates all year round from 8am to 5.30pm, Tuesday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She also provides weekend and overnight care. She works with an assistant. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She 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 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 inspector completed a learning walk with the childminder and discussed how her curriculum supports children's learning. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The childminder showed the inspector the areas she uses for childminding. She explained how she keeps children safe in her care. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder. She reviewed a sample of documentation and evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household. n The inspector held discussions with parents and took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

21 June 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

21 June 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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