Childminder in Buckinghamshire

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 settle well and benefit from flexible settling-in procedures that help them adjust to their new care routines. The childminder is very attentive and immediately recognises signs that babies are tired and ready for their naps.

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The provision is good

Children benefit from a range of real-life experiences to support their learning. The childminder gathers a wealth of information about children before they start attending. This enables her to plan activities that they may not yet have experienced. For example, children who may have limited access to outdoor space enjoy opportunities for physical play, fresh air and exercise. Children also delight in weekly visits to the shops, where they learn to follow a shopping list to fetch and pay for food for their snacks. This helps to give children life skills for the future.

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The provision is good

Children demonstrate good levels of concentration and enjoyment in their self- chosen play. They carefully grip scoops and use them to gather and pour lentils into containers of different sizes. They smile with excitement as they fill these to the top. Children demonstrate good listening and attention skills. For example, they respond promptly when the tambourine is shaken to signal that it is time to tidy up. They work as a team very successfully to return bicycles and ride-on toys to the shed. Children receive lots of praise for their cooperation from the childminder's assistant.

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need to do better?

n The childminder and her co-childminder have robust systems in place to share the curriculum aims for each child. For example, they discuss children's progress regularly, identifying next steps for them to work on. They ensure that they weave these into the activities they plan together and refer to these each day. This helps to support children's learning and development well. n The childminder is highly effective at helping children to recall their prior knowledge. For instance, she uses photographs of animals, pictures of trees and a collection of leaves to promote discussion about habitats, hedgehogs and hibernation. Older children respond confidently, as the childminder gives them time to process their ideas and explain what they can remember. n The childminder plans exciting and meaningful learning opportunities, which build on children's interests. However, at times, such as during group activities,

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need to do better?

she does not fully consider how to make these more accessible and meaningful for younger babies. n Children use good manners. The childminder and her assistant sing songs to encourage children to routinely say 'please' and 'thank you'. Children are kind and considerate to their friends. For instance, they immediately offer comfort if they notice that their friend is upset or hurt.

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need to do better?

1 November 2022 n Parents are extremely happy with the care provided. They comment that the childminder, co-childminder and assistant create a home-from-home environment and are like an 'extension of their family'. Parents report that they particularly like the regular communication they get, which helps to keep them informed about their child's day. n Children benefit from social snack times, where they have opportunities to taste new fruits or vegetables they have bought at the market. However, during these times, they spend a lot of time waiting for others or for their turn to cut their snack, which limits their levels of engagement. n The childminder provides lots of exciting opportunities for children to develop their physical skills. Children develop their small hand muscles as they lift flaps, press buttons and move hooks. This promotes their preparation for early writing. n The childminder has high regard for staff well-being, and her assistant reports

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need to do better?

that she is very happy in her role. The childminder provides good support to her assistant. For instance, she completes regular supervisions and plans professional development opportunities to enhance her assistant's knowledge and skills. n The childminder has a positive attitude to working with other professionals. For example, she signposts parents to support and advice from the health visitor when required. She is proactive in initiating communication with other settings that children attend. This helps to promote continuity in their learning and care.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse, which helps her to keep children safe. She is familiar with local safeguarding partnership procedures should she have a concern about children. She ensures that her assistants complete relevant safeguarding training so that their knowledge remains up to date. The childminder has robust recruitment and induction procedures in place to ensure that her assistants are suitable to work with children. She provides support and guidance to parents to help them to educate their children, such as in relation to online safety.

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should:

n review the use of adults during routine times and increase children's participation to reduce the amount of time children spend waiting n strengthen the planning, organisation and resourcing of group activities to make them more meaningful and accessible for younger babies.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY470630 Local authority Buckinghamshire Inspection number 10236282 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 21 Date of previous inspection 7 March 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2014. She lives in Buckingham, in Buckinghamshire, and provides care between 7.30am and 6.30pm daily. She shares care between her home and a non-domestic premises. The childminder works with a co-childminder and two assistants. No more than three adults work with children at any one time. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She accepts funding for the provision of free education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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 talked to the childminder and her co-childminder about how they organise the curriculum. n The assistant talked to the inspector about the support she has in her role. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The written views of parents were considered.

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Inspection activities

1 November 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

1 November 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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