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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children share warm and caring relationships with the childminder and her assistants. They go to the childminder for physical comfort and talk about how they feel, successfully promoting their emotional well-being. Children smile with delight as they arrive at the setting and are happy to see the childminder and her assistants. They are confident to explore and see what activities are available for the day. Children have a positive attitude to learning. They are inquisitive as they explore a large tray of cereal and spaghetti. They develop their fine motor skills as they thread the cereal onto the spaghetti and concentrate for long periods of time, developing their problem-solving skills.

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The provision is good

Children are consistently engaged in activities and therefore behave well. They play cooperatively together and are happy to share toys with each other, with the childminder close by to offer support when needed. For example, as the children explore the magnetic shapes, the childminder encourages them to swap shapes with each other. Children create a range of models, proudly showing off their 'kitties' and 'Christmas tree' designs and developing their imaginative skills. The childminder encourages children to use their manners and be respectful and kind to each other.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has recently expanded her setting and now employs two assistants to work alongside her. She accesses a range of training opportunities. However, these are not consistently made available to her assistants to support their professional development. The childminder reflects on the setting regularly, working with her assistants to adapt and make changes as necessary. The assistants say that they feel very well supported by the childminder. n All children make good progress in their learning, from their initial starting points. The childminder uses her skills and knowledge to adapt activities for children of all ages. For example, younger children use their whole bodies to explore cereal in a large tray. They climb into the tray and use their legs to crush the cereal. The childminder encourages them to feel the texture of the crushed cereal. Older children use tweezers to pick up the cereal, developing

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need to do better?

their fine motor skills and hand-to-eye coordination. n Children develop confidence in their skills and abilities by challenging themselves in their play. They enjoy completing obstacle courses in the garden, waiting patiently for their turn. Children learn new skills and build on those they already have. The childminder encourages children to take risks, ensuring that she is close by to support them. n The childminder arranges frequent outings in the local community. Children enjoy visiting the local park and walking around the lake. As they explore the

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need to do better?

11 January 2023 local area, they learn about other people and the world around them. These are social times and children enjoy talking about the things they see and asking questions about them. n Children regularly count in their play. The childminder shares books with them, looking at the numbers in the book and identifying the different colours. Later, they play 'can you find' games with the posters on the wall. Children confidently find different shapes, letters and colours, proudly showing the childminder. She offers children praise, building on their self-esteem. n Children are beginning to learn to manage their self-care needs. When they get ready to collect others from nursery, they put on their coats and shoes. At mealtimes, children help to make their snacks, successfully buttering their bread. The childminder supports children as they wash their hands, helping them to become more independent.

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need to do better?

n Parent partnerships are strong. Parents comment on the 'home-from-home' feeling of the setting and the relationships their children build with the childminder. The childminder shares development information with parents regularly on an online platform, allowing parents to comment and add additional information. Where development concerns arise, the childminder is quick to talk to parents and share information, ensuring that children have access to the relevant professionals as required.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistants all have good knowledge of how to keep children safe. They confidently talk through the process of how to report to the relevant agencies. The childminder is proactive in keeping her own and her assistants' knowledge up to date. She is clear about when she should share information with parents and when an immediate referral needs to be made. The childminder and her assistants have a clear understanding of the procedure for reporting allegations made against them, and are confident to whistle-blow if required. Through effective communication, the childminder ensures the on-going suitability of her assistants. A robust safeguarding policy underpins the practice within the setting.

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should:

n provide opportunities for assistants to access highly effective professional development to enable them to enhance children's experiences n strengthen leadership skills to further develop knowledge of managing and supporting assistants.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2584084 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10251079 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 3 Number of children on roll 17 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2020 and lives in Leighton Buzzard. She works alongside two assistants. The childminder operates all year round, from 7.30am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The setting 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 provider. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures that it is safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises her early years provision, including the aims and rationale for her early years foundation stage curriculum. n Assistants spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided indoors and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the childminder. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on

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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

11 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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