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 thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder. They show that they feel safe, settled and happy in her care. Children are friendly, engaged and confidently welcome visitors. They behave very well and have excellent manners. The childminder is a good role model and has a consistently warm, calm approach. Children are familiar with the daily routines and respond well to the childminder's requests. For example, they help her to tidy away the toys, to make room for new games that they have asked to play with instead. Children learn to share, take turns and support each other during their play. The childminder gives them regular praise, which develops their confidence and self-esteem.

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The provision is good

The children enjoy freely choosing their own activities throughout the day. They are confident in asking the childminder to play games, play music on her piano or to craft something together. Children choose card games that involve counting, matching and turn taking to practise their understanding of numbers. They eagerly listen to fun stories that the childminder reads to them. The childminder plans fun activities that encourage new experiences and interest in the world around them. For example, children make bird feeders together. They discuss the cold weather and the birds being hungry because their food sources are covered in snow and ice. This helps the children to learn emotions, such as empathy, make links to their previous learning about nature and understand why they were doing this activity.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is aware of every child's background and individual needs. She focuses on ensuring the children are exposed to a variety of new and interesting experiences. For example, they are encouraged to celebrate and learn about different cultures and festivals such as Chinese New Year. Children have the opportunity to taste new foods and use different utensils to eat with, for example chopsticks. They create artwork, such as dragons and masks, and take them home to share with their family. This provides children with real-life and diverse experiences that they may not have had before. However, activities are not consistently adapted for younger children to ensure they receive the same high-quality learning experiences as the older children. n Children make good progress with their physical and social development. She provides opportunities to visit and explore local woodland trails, farms, and

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need to do better?

natural parks. The children attend playgroups and socialise with other local childminder's children regularly. The children are offered opportunities to explore nature every day outside the setting or in the garden. Children have access to a play kitchen, garden apparatus and a large tray with a variety of resources and activities there. n The childminder promotes children's communication skills well. She is excellent

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need to do better?

15 December 2022 at modelling language and using the correct terminology when speaking to all children. For example, she talks to children when she plays with them during a story or when making bird feeders. Children are introduced to new words that the childminder uses, such as 'igloo', 'threading' and 'chopping', which helps to increase their developing vocabulary. n Parents are delighted with the care and learning opportunities that their children receive. They all speak highly of the childminder's warm manner and the time she spends on getting to know the children. They refer to the childminder's brilliant communication with them, and their satisfaction with the variety of activities she offers. n The childminder takes time to find out important information from the parents before the children start. She completes observations of the children and tracks their progress with her as they begin to settle. She has detailed and well-

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need to do better?

thought-out next steps for each child, and fully understands what they already know and can do. Her settling-in procedures are flexible and managed on an individual basis, depending on the children's and parent's needs or wishes. n Children are developing their independence. They are encouraged to put their shoes, hats and coats on by themselves. Children wash their hands before mealtimes and attend to their own toileting needs. The childminder teaches children about road safety. They learn to hold onto the buggy or stay close to it when the childminder takes them on the school runs or out for walks together. This helps develop children's understanding of how to keep themselves safe and supports children in being ready for school. n The childminder evaluates her work well and ensures that her knowledge is up to date through attending relevant training opportunities. She regularly attends webinars that focus on how children learn and transition to school and then

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need to do better?

applies this to her practice and procedures. The childminder recognises her own strengths and continues to identify new training ideas alongside this.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder shows a good awareness of her safeguarding responsibilities to the children. She is clear about the possible signs that may indicate children are at risk of abuse or neglect and what she needs to do to protect them. The childminder can identify children who may need early help and is aware of wider safeguarding issues such as radicalisation. She has the relevant contact information in case she needs to make a referral or needs to seek professional advice.

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should:

n adapt activities for the younger children so that they receive the same high-

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should:

15 December 2022 quality learning experiences as the older children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY331272 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10263863 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 15 Date of previous inspection 15 May 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2006 and lives in Shillington, near Hitchin. She operates all year round, from 8am to 5.30pm, Tuesday to Thursday, and provides wraparound care on Monday. 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 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 setting. n The inspector had a learning discussion with the childminder. This enabled the childminder to discuss how her curriculum and setting are organised for children's learning. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about children's next steps and about her knowledge around each child's individual development. n The inspector viewed the premises and areas used for childminding. n The inspector took account of the views of parents from written feedback provided. n The inspector interacted and spoke with the children at appropriate times during the inspection and observed their interactions with the childminder. n The inspector observed the play and learning activities that children participated

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Inspection activities

in. n The inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the childminder. n The inspector examined relevant documentation, such as evidence of the childminder's qualifications and the suitability of household members.

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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

15 December 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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