Childminder in Central Bedfordshire

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children enjoy the time they spend in this lively setting. They arrive happily and separate from carers with ease. Children enjoy exploring a wide range of age- appropriate activities, which staff adapt well to meet the needs of all children. For example, pre-school children practise their fine motor skills in a colouring activity. They explain how this will help them write neatly when they go to school. Toddlers explore the marks they make using chunky crayons and are supported to identify colours.

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The provision is good

Children demonstrate high levels of confidence. They engage well with visitors and enthusiastically welcome them into their play. Children take pride in their achievements. The childminder and her assistants support this by offering lots of praise and providing opportunities for children to share their efforts with their friends. For example, children are encouraged to discuss the pictures they draw in a craft activity. They are keen to answer questions from their friends, and delight at the praise they are given.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy a language-rich environment. The childminder and her assistants consistently engage children in high-quality conversations. Children independently explore numerous age-appropriate books and enjoy regular story sessions. This supports them in developing a varied vocabulary.

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need to do better?

n The childminder and her assistants know the children in their care well. They complete regular assessments of children's development, and plan exciting activities based on children's interests and next steps. For example, children's mathematical development is well supported in lively music and dance sessions. n The childminder works hard to establish and maintain effective communication with parents. She gathers comprehensive information about children's early experiences. This supports children to settle swiftly in the environment. Ongoing, high-quality communication gives parents detailed information about children's learning and how to support their development at home. n Children are learning about healthy lifestyles. The childminder provides a wide variety of healthy, home-cooked meals and snacks. She uses discussions at mealtimes to support children's understanding of healthy eating and the positive

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need to do better?

impact it has on their bodies. Children enjoy continuous access to physical play in the garden and enjoy regular visits to local parks. n Children's mathematical development is particularly well supported in the setting. The childminder and her assistants introduce age-appropriate mathematical concepts during activities. For example, children are drawing and colouring in pumpkins. They are encouraged to count the pumpkins they have

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need to do better?

19 October 2022 created and place them in size order. n The childminder reflects regularly on the care she offers. She seeks feedback from her assistants, parents, and other professionals, and uses this information to enhance her practice. For example, the childminder has recently introduced more structured learning sessions for older children in the afternoons. This prepares children for the routines of school. n Feedback from parents is positive. They comment on how the nurturing support of the childminder and her assistants helps children to settle swiftly in the setting. Parents greatly value the flexibility of care the childminder provides and the high-quality communication about children's development. n The childminder supports the development of her assistants well. She conducts regular supervisions to identify areas for improvement. The childminder encourages her assistants to access additional training opportunities to further

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need to do better?

develop their knowledge and practice. For example, assistants are fully supported to complete their level 3 qualifications while in the setting. n Children generally behave well in the setting. They are kind and considerate and offer one another support in tasks. For example, in a colouring activity, older children pass paper and crayons to their friends. However, children are not always supported to understand the importance of taking turns in activities. On occasion, this results in conflict among children. n Children demonstrate they are happy in this friendly environment. They form close bonds and engage well with one another during activities. However, when children become frustrated, the childminder and her assistants do not consistently support them to explore their feelings. Children do not fully develop an understanding of how to manage their emotions appropriately.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistants have a strong understanding of the signs and symptoms that could indicate a child is at risk of harm. They know the correct process to follow when there is a concern about a child. The childminder ensures both herself and all her assistants complete regular first-aid and safeguarding training. This supports them in keeping their knowledge up to date. The childminder has rigorous recruitment and induction procedures in place to ensure all her assistants are suitable to work with children.

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should:

n enhance current methods of behaviour management to support children's understanding of the importance of taking turns in activities n develop strategies to support children to explore their feelings and manage them

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should:

19 October 2022 in an appropriate manner.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY479715 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10236406 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 18 Number of children on roll 11 Date of previous inspection 10 November 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2014 and lives in Leighton Buzzard. She operates all year round from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with three assistants. The childminder and one assistant have appropriate childcare qualifications at level 3. The childminder 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 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 considered the views of parents by speaking to several and reviewing feedback letters. n The inspector looked at relevant documents, including evidence of the suitability of all persons living and working at the premises. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder, her assistants, and children during activities. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching to assess the impact on children's learning. n The inspector and childminder completed a joint observation of an activity to assess the quality of teaching. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder about the monitoring of learning and development in the setting and tracked the progress of several

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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

19 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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