Childminder in Central Bedfordshire

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children truly thrive in the care of the nurturing and experienced childminder. They are exceptionally confident and welcome visitors to join in their play. Children's behaviour is excellent. The childminder is a superb role model who has high expectations for children's behaviour. Children learn to play cooperatively and take turns. For example, children patiently wait for their turn to use the petrol station for their ride-on cars. They build strong attachments with the childminder, who they seek out for support. This helps children to feel safe and emotionally secure.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's social interaction is a high priority for the childminder. Children make excellent progress through the activities the childminder provides. They enjoy selecting resources and leading their own play. They effortlessly recall prior experiences and learning as they engage in new opportunities that are expertly planned by the childminder. For example, while playing outside, the children eagerly recall the sound of sirens and excitedly shout, 'It's a fire engine!' and 'It could be an ambulance!', only to hear noises in the sky, and quickly shout, 'it's a helicopter!'. Children's love of books is supported excellently.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder has a detailed understanding of the impact the pandemic has had on children's social interaction and communication. She therefore provides extensive opportunities for children to meet others in larger groups to further enhance their skills.

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need to do better?

n The curriculum is ambitious and focused to ensure children make continuous progress, building on what they already know. The childminder expertly engages children during activities, using their interests. For example, the childminder extends their learning as she encourages the children to make a bridge over the railway track and talks about the traffic lights and their colours. The childminder gives careful consideration towards planning to ensure it covers all areas of learning. Children can easily access a range of interesting resources, which they use in a variety of ways to enhance their creativity. n Children develop their independence and self-care skills from an early age. For instance, children independently wash their hands throughout the day, including after sneezing. They make choices about what they would like for snack. The childminder then supports them to cut their own fruit using a safety knife. This

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need to do better?

boosts their already high levels of self-esteem and confidence. n Children learn about the world around them as they make regular visits to the local bird sanctuary, the fire station and into the woods to explore. The childminder encourages children to recall past experiences. Children talk about their regular trips to the fire station, and recognise sounds when they hear

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need to do better?

15 September 2022 sirens in the distance. Children enjoy growing their own sunflowers in the garden and at home, talking about which ones are tallest and how many flowers each stem has grown. n Mathematical language is skilfully woven into all aspects of the day. Children count the nuts and bolts while they play, their strawberries and breadsticks at snack time and how many toy trains are on the track. They talk about taking one step back and two steps to the side when they have finished washing their hands. The children also draw shapes on the board, and count how many sides each one has. n The childminder nurtures children's love of books and singing. Children listen intently to the childminder singing nursery rhymes. The childminder includes props and animal sounds when singing 'Old McDonald', which extends children's imagination and vocabulary further. She naturally incorporates singing throughout activities and the daily routine. This greatly promotes children's

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need to do better?

listening skills and helps to reinforce their learning. Children enjoy regular trips to the library. n The childminder continuously monitors children's progress. She accurately completes progress checks when children are aged between two and three years and shares this information with parents. The childminder provides very detailed updates on children's development and offers valuable suggestions of ways that parents can continue children's learning at home. This contributes to children's excellent progress. n Partnerships with parents are highly effective. She uses effective communication methods to ensure parents are regularly updated on their children's daily activities. Parents feel their children's learning and development is very well supported in this home-from-home environment.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder is committed to keeping children safe in her setting. She has a secure knowledge of her role and responsibility to safeguard children, and of the signs and symptoms that indicate a child may be at risk. The childminder knows the correct procedures to follow and who to contact if she has concerns about a child's welfare. She undertakes regular training to update her knowledge. The childminder ensures that children have a safe and clean environment to learn and play in. She restricts visitors' use of mobile phones and cameras in her home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY485045 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10236596 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 15 Number of children on roll 15 Date of previous inspection 10 October 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder was registered in 2014 and lives in Sandy in Bedfordshire. She operates all year round, from 7am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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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 The inspector observed the quality of teaching both inside and outside, and considered the impact this has on the children's learning. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss how the early years provision is organised. The inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the childminder. n The inspector spoke to the childminder during the inspection about the views of parents and took account of their written feedback. n The childminder and the children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including the childminder's first- aid certificate and public liability insurance.

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Inspection activities

15 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

15 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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