Childminder in Bedford

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children enjoy their time with the childminder and are happy, content and settled. They reflect the childminder's positive approach. They become engrossed in their play and persevere at tasks. For example, children playing with toy diggers use the bucket scoops to dig holes in the soil. When the soil falls back into the hole, they try again and proudly explain that they have made the 'biggest hole ever!' Children are kind and respectful towards one another. When deciding which song to sing next, they choose picture prompts, and clearly recognise that they all have different interests and will all have a turn to sing their favourite song.

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The provision is good

Children are becoming increasingly independent. For instance, they recognise when they are thirsty and go to fetch their drinks. Children are developing good physical skills. For example, they use their small-muscle skills as they select conkers and acorns from a tray and concentrate on their balance as they walk along a large beam. The childminder is sensitive to the potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. She maintained contact with children and their families during these times. This enabled her to understand children's activities and development at home and to build on these on their return.

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need to do better?

n Children make good progress. The childminder understands each child's stage of development. She offers them play opportunities that help them to take the next step in their learning. The childminder carefully monitors children's progress, which enables her to quickly note any areas where children may be falling behind and take action to address these. n Since her last inspection, the childminder has reviewed all areas of her home used for childminding and has secure procedures in place to ensure that hazards are removed or minimised. She has completed further training, which has significantly contributed to further improvements in practice. For example, children now have easy access to an extensive variety of resources, which enables them to make independent choices about their play. n Children demonstrate good communication skills. For example, they describe how they are putting conkers into a saucepan to make 'cheese soup' and

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need to do better?

explain, 'We have to boil this to cook it.' n Children show a keen interest in numbers and counting and are developing a good understanding of mathematics. For example, they use their knowledge as they count snail shells and compare the sizes of the courgettes they have grown, stating that one is big and the other is smaller. n Children enjoy regular visits to local facilities, such as a farm shop, museum and country park. This helps them to understand their community and sparks their interest in finding out about the wider world. They also enjoy sharing photos of

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need to do better?

4 October 2022 their homes and families, which helps them to start to recognise and respect differences. n Children demonstrate a love of books. They enjoy choosing a book and snuggling up in the tent to look at this. They pay attention when the childminder reads to them. They join in with familiar words and eagerly predict the ending. n Parents speak highly of the childminder. They appreciate the wide variety of play opportunities she offers children and say that she provides a 'fun and enjoyable environment that supports children's development'. The childminder communicates well with parents. She explains what children have been doing and offers information for parents to continue children's learning at home. n Children enjoy their interactions with the childminder, and she offers them some opportunities to solve problems. For example, children work out that pushing the vehicles slowly in the sand makes a quieter noise. However, these opportunities

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need to do better?

are not fully promoted, and the childminder sometimes answers questions for children and solves problems for them that they could try to work out for themselves. n Children gain some knowledge of healthy practices. For example, they participate in structured activities where they clean pretend teeth. However, the childminder does not consistently support children to understand the relevance of good daily hygiene practices and how these help to keep their bodies healthy.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder recognises the importance of maintaining a good understanding of safeguarding. She completes regular training to keep her knowledge up to date. The childminder understands the signs that could indicate concerns in children's lives and knows how to report these promptly to the correct professionals. Additionally, she is aware of wider issues that can affect children and their families, such as exposure to extreme views and practices. The childminder recognises the possible dangers linked with use of the internet and takes appropriate action to protect children.

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should:

n build further on the opportunities that allow children time to think, and support children to develop their skills in thinking critically and finding solutions to problems as they play n offer children further opportunities to develop their understanding of healthy practices and the relevance of good daily hygiene routines.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY482821 Local authority Bedford Inspection number 10214795 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 13 Date of previous inspection 3 November 2021

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2014 and lives in Bedford. She operates during term time from 7am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. During school holidays, she operates from 7am to 5pm on Tuesday and Friday. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3. She provides funded early years education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector observed activities, inside and outside, and assessed the impact these have on children's learning. She had a tour of the home with the childminder to discuss and understand how the early years provision is organised. n The childminder and the inspector reviewed an activity together. n The inspector viewed relevant documentation, including the safeguarding procedures and proof of the suitability of household members. n The inspector talked with parents and considered their views. She also reviewed written feedback from parents. n The inspector talked with children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

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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

4 October 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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