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 Not applicable

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The provision is outstanding

The outstanding childminder uses her wealth of child development knowledge to create exciting activities for all children to explore and investigate. Children demonstrate very high levels of curiosity. They eagerly participate in the multitude of planned activities available to them. The childminder ensures all activities are accessible for all children, regardless of their age and stage of development. For example, children explore paintbrushes. Older children work on their number recognition as they paint numbers. The childminder calls out numbers hanging on the fence, and children paint them. Younger children develop their fine-motor skills. They learn new ways to hold paintbrushes, moving them in different ways and seeing what marks they can create.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder shows genuine warmth for her children, and the children show that they feel incredibly safe with her. Children are kind to each other. They show concern when their friends become upset, going over to check that they are okay. The childminder is a fantastic role model for the children. Her calm nature is passed onto the children as they listen to each other and care. The vast range of animals at the childminder's home helps children to understand how to look after nature and animals, developing an understanding of the world around them.

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need to do better?

n The childminder expertly uses children's interests to create activities to support their next steps in development. She regularly shares this information with parents and provides parents with ideas for home learning. This positively enhances children's learning and development. Transitions and the sharing of information with other providers is exemplary. This ensures excellent consistency of care. n Partnerships with parents are exceptionally strong. They talk of the 'love, creativity and hard work' the childminder puts into her setting. Parents particularly appreciate the lunchtime updates they receive. This gives them peace of mind that their children are happy and busy learning. Parents can see the exceptional progress their children make with the childminder. n The childminder understands the importance of children's home life. She uses this to support children's language development. Family photo books provide

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need to do better?

excellent conversation starters. Children love discussing who they can see in the photos and where they were taken. Younger children point to pictures as the childminder says the names of the family members. This provides an excellent link between home and the setting. n The childminder skilfully uses her garden area to provide children with a wealth of experiences. Children have fun looking over the back fence to see the pond in the neighbour's garden. The mud-kitchen area provides children with resources

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need to do better?

20 July 2022 to create 'potions'. Children mix herbs that they have picked themselves, sticks and mud. They develop an exceptionally good understanding of growth and development as they grow their own strawberries, lettuce and carrots. n The childminder offers children an amazing number of opportunities outside the home. Children climb up the 'mountain' to visit the baby lambs roaming the fields in springtime. They make several trips to watch as they grow. On other occasions, children watch the hay grow in the fields. Over the months they watch the seeds being sown, the hay as it grows, and finally watch the tractor as it cuts the hay and creates hay bales. This helps children to gain a greater understanding of the world around them. n Relationships with other childminders allow the childminder to constantly improve her practice. They work together to provide children with opportunities to socialise with other children outside of the setting. This is also an opportunity

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need to do better?

for children to mix with those they will be going to school/nursery with. The network of childminders share resources and ideas. They ensure all their children have access to the best possible activities to support their interests. n The childminder is highly reflective of her practice. She is proactive in attending training courses and local network meetings to share outstanding practice. The childminder has genuine enthusiasm for her work. She provides an exceptional childminding service.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder provides all children with an extremely safe environment for them to play and learn in. The childminder's knowledge of safeguarding is exceptional, and this is due to the considerable amount of training she has completed. She is very aware of the recording and reporting processes required should she have a concern about a child. The childminder has excellent knowledge of the possible signs that could indicate a child may be at risk of harm. A robust safeguarding policy underpins her excellent practice.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2533366 Local authority Bedford Inspection number 10215149 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 4 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2019 and lives in Wotton. She operates all year round, from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 6.

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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 evaluations of the provider. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss her intentions for children's learning. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning. n Written feedback from the parents was looked at during the inspection and the inspector took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of the childminder.

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Inspection activities

20 July 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

20 July 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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