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 Not applicable

p.1

The provision is good

Children are happy to attend the childminder's setting and are welcomed warmly with a smile and a comforting voice. The childminder is aware of and responsive to the children's needs. She is always calm and comforts them appropriately, saying, 'It's okay, I'm not going anywhere'. The childminder offers a clean, safe and warm environment for children.

p.2

The provision is good

Children demonstrate a love of books and happily gather around the childminder to listen to a story. They all listen and engage with the story, making comments, such as 'It's raining in the book' and 'rainbow'. Children enjoy reading books with the childminder, as well as choosing their own books to look at independently. Children have access to a wide range of books, and the available resources meet the children's needs and promote their focus on learning.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder has high expectations of the children and provides appropriate challenge. For example, a child draws a cat, and the childminder encourages them to improve the drawing by adding the legs and the tail. The child enjoys the challenge and is delighted with the picture, saying 'The cat has a tail and four legs'. The childminder ensures all children are included in activities and she supports them to take part.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder is warm and friendly, and provides a welcoming home for young children. Secure attachments are formed between the childminder and the children, which promotes confidence and independence. n Children are encouraged to join in, sing songs and learn actions, which enables them to develop their communication and language through learning new words. n The curriculum is coherently planned and sequenced. It builds on what the children know and can do, so that they have sufficient knowledge and skills for future learning. n The childminder enriches the curriculum through regular visits to the library, music groups and playgroups,. These provide opportunities for children to develop their personal and social skills by developing relationships with other children in the community. n Children have opportunities to learn early mathematics skills. Songs and counting are embedded in the daily routine.

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need to do better?

n The childminder provides a healthy diet and a range of opportunities for physically active play, both inside and outdoors. She gives clear and consistent messages to children, supporting healthy choices about food and rest. n Children's home routines, such as sleep times, are followed with due care and attention, which ensures that children have consistency between their home and

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need to do better?

5 January 2023 the childminding setting. n Parents comment that the childminder is calm and committed. They say she provides a comfortable and safe place for their children to be. n The childminder uses assessment to check what children can do, to inform her teaching. This information is used to plan suitably challenging activities, such as using pegs to pick up different sized pom-poms, to support development of fine motor skills. It also helps the childminder to respond to children's specific needs and interests, interest in farm animals. n Parents receive regular updates and feedback on their child's achievements and progress. The childminder engages effectively with children, their parents and others in their community. n The childminder encourages children to be respectful to one another and use manners, such as saying 'please' and 'thank you'. n The childminder reads in a way that excites and engages the children,

p.2

need to do better?

introducing new ideas and vocabulary, such as 'canary'. She checks the children's knowledge by asking questions. However, sometimes she does not give children time to respond so that they can share their ideas about what they know. n The childminder is reflective of her practice, and she is prepared to adapt her practice to meet the needs of the children. However, the childminder's engagement with opportunities to further develop her knowledge of child development has been more limited.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding the children in her care. She completes regular training to ensure her knowledge is up to date. The childminder has secure knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse and understands her responsibilities to report any concerns she may have. The childminder is aware of her role and responsibilities in managing allegations and shows an understanding of how to report concerns to the local safeguarding team. The childminder maintains high levels of safety and cleanliness in her environment.

p.3

should:

n provide children with sufficient time to respond to questions, so that they can extend their thinking and language skills further n develop a greater understanding of child development to further develop the already good quality teaching.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2600061 Local authority Bedford Inspection number 10265342 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder was registered in 2020 and lives in the Brickhill area of Bedford. She operates all year round from 7.30 until 5pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an early years qualification at level 5.

p.4

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 childminder and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the provision. n The childminder and the inspector had a learning discussion and spoke about the childminder's aims and learning intentions for children. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request, including records of paediatric first-aid training. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector and childminder completed a joint evaluation 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 children.

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Inspection activities

5 January 2023 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

5 January 2023 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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