Childminder in Milton Keynes

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

The childminder is enthusiastic and passionate about her role in caring for children. She knows children's individual personalities extremely well and ensures that the activities on offer are planned with their interests in mind. This helps to motivate and engage children effectively in their play and learning. Children show that they are happy and feel safe with the childminder. They enjoy cuddles and snuggle close to her as they share their favourite books.

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The provision is good

Children behave very well and show respect and kindness to each other. They demonstrate a good understanding of sharing and taking turns. For example, older children share resources independently, and the childminder supports younger children with this. The childminder frequently offers praise and encouragement as children play. This supports their self-esteem and motivates them to try new things. The childminder supports children's physical development particularly well. She places a strong emphasis on encouraging fine-motor skills. For example, children have a variety of activities on offer to help them practise their fine-motor skills, using tweezers, play dough and threading different pasta shapes onto pipe cleaners. This supports children in strengthening their small-hand muscles in preparation for their next steps in their learning and development.

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need to do better?

n Children benefit from frequent outings, such as daily walks with the childminder's dog to a nearby nature reserve. Children enjoy fresh air, have plenty of exercise and find out about the natural world they live in by observing wildlife in the ponds. For example, children learn about the metamorphosis from tadpoles to frogs. They enthusiastically demonstrate this by hopping like frogs when the childminder asks them what tadpoles transform into. n The childminder understands how to promote children's emotional well-being. She offers staggered settling-in sessions as children start and finds out about children's stages of development. This provides her with valuable information to identify the starting points in children's learning and helps her plan for their ongoing progress. n The childminder plans activities that link to the children's interests and, as a result, children are engaged in their learning, such as making pretend

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need to do better?

sandwiches and baking cakes in the play kitchen as well as in the childminder's home. The childminder incorporates new words, such as 'delicious' and 'olive oil'. However, on occasion, the childminder fails to narrate the game in more depth, to further enhance children's speech and language development. n Snack time is a sociable experience for children in the childminder's care. They enjoy eating healthy meals together and politely ask for more if they are still hungry. The childminder is attentive to their needs and encourages them with

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need to do better?

14 September 2022 praise. However, at times, she fails to teach children about the healthy food that they are eating, thus missing the opportunity to further enhance their knowledge. n Well-established routines help children to know what to expect next. This helps them to feel content and safe at the setting. All children cooperate and respond positively to instructions given by the childminder. For example, when children are asked to bring their water bottles from another room to the table at lunchtime, they help without hesitation. The strong structure and routine help children to manage their feelings so that they are ready to learn. n The childminder monitors her practice well. She regularly sends parents questionnaires and asks them for feedback. This helps her to continually improve her practice and offer tailor-made childcare for each individual child in her care. n The childminder understands the importance of attending professional

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need to do better?

development courses and webinars. She regularly visits childminder forums to seek new ideas for her own practice. She also conducts her own research if a child has a medical condition that she is not familiar with. This helps her to support children and their families. In addition, she gains extended knowledge to further enhance her own understanding. n The childminder has established excellent partnerships with parents and works well with them to support children's care and learning needs. Parents speak extremely highly of the caring childminder and comment that they value the regular updates she shares with them throughout the day via messages and pictures.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a secure knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. She knows what procedures she needs to follow if she has any concerns about children's welfare. The childminder is able to talk about risks to children, including those relating to radical and extreme behaviours. The childminder is aware of local safeguarding partnership procedures should an allegation be made against her or any household member. The childminder seeks out information about children's health needs, such as medical conditions or illnesses, when they start so that she can fully ensure their safety while in her care.

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should:

n use opportunities that arise to build on children's vocabulary and mathematical knowledge as they play to extend their learning even further n enhance children's knowledge of healthy eating habits during mealtimes.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY447032 Local authority Milton Keynes Inspection number 10235784 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 5 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection 14 October 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2012. She lives in Stoney Stratford, Milton Keynes. The childminder provides care from Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, all year round, except for family holidays. The childminder has a level 3 qualification.

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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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector observed the implementation of the curriculum during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n A joint observation was carried out and the findings were discussed with the childminder. n During the inspection, the inspector spoke to the childminder and children at appropriate times. n The inspector read through written feedback left by parents and took account of their views. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request, including records of paediatric first-aid training and registers.

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Inspection activities

14 September 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

14 September 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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