Childminder in Bedford

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children are extremely happy and settled in the care of the childminder. They are excited to engage in the wide range of learning opportunities available to them. Children are highly motivated and engage very well in their love for learning. Toddlers have extensive opportunities to explore, such as with paint. They use their fingers to explore for themselves how it feels and how to make marks on paper. Children as young as two years know how to make links in their learning. For example, after learning the rhyme 'The Queen of Hearts', they instantly choose the heart shaped cutter as they bake tarts.

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The provision is outstanding

The young children the childminder cares for behave exceptionally well. They readily share resources and cooperate with each other. The childminder has deep knowledge and understanding of each child's needs and personalities. Children thrive under her care and their communication and language development is superb. Toddlers make their needs known through gestures, signs and single words. The instant response they receive from the childminder encourages them to communicate further. Children have extensive vocabulary and constantly chat and sing to themselves as they play.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is highly qualified and uses her wealth of knowledge and experience to understand the unique ways that each child learns. She creates an ambitious and stimulating curriculum for all children. The childminder plans, observes and assesses children to support and extend their learning. She provides children with innovative resources and activities, both inside and outdoors, to support their learning across all areas. All children are succeeding and making rapid progress. n Children are highly independent. From a young age, the childminder encourages them to find their own belongings and sort out their own personal care routines. Children meticulously follow the clear instructions the childminder gives to them. For example, they know where to find the resources they need at lunchtime. Children understand the routines of the day and clearly explain to visitors what they are doing next and why.

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need to do better?

n The childminder helps all children to understand what makes them unique. She has an excellent understanding of children's cultural backgrounds and celebrates their diversity. Children enjoy sharing important festivals, such as by dressing in traditional costumes and sharing cultural activities. Opportunities such as these are highly successful at helping children gain an understanding and appreciation of diversity and celebrating what they have in common. n Partnerships with parents are exceptional. Parents enthuse about the high- quality care and education their children receive from the childminder. They

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need to do better?

7 February 2023 know their children are happy and thriving. The childminder obtains key information from parents to support children's starting points, and she keeps them fully informed about the progress children make. n Children are developing a positive attitude to healthy lifestyles. The childminder is an excellent role model to the children. She makes full use of daily routines to maximise opportunities for exercise and fresh air. Children thrive outdoors as they ride in cars, climb and run. Dancing sessions are thoroughly enjoyed by all. Children joyfully move, dance and sing with energy and enthusiasm. The childminder is considering how she can introduce yoga to the children. She feels this will enable children to develop good relaxation routines to further promote their health and well-being. n The dedicated childminder has a very clear vision for her setting. She describes herself as 'a lifelong learner' and is highly committed to enhancing her

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need to do better?

knowledge and teaching skills. The childminder places a high focus on continued professional development and research. She constantly identifies ways to improve and further meet the needs of the children. The childminder uses her expertise to support other practitioners, such as mentoring childminders who are new to the role.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has excellent safeguarding knowledge. She has a deep understanding of how to recognise signs that children may be at risk of harm or extremist behaviour. The childminder has excellent knowledge of the procedures to follow in the event of any concern about a child. She understands the importance of ensuring all adults living in her home are suitable to be near children. The childminder knows how to report any allegations made against herself or anyone in her household. The childminder has a clear safeguarding policy in place, which she shares with parents and uses to underpin her good practice. She regularly risk assesses her home and garden to make sure all areas are safe for children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY442339 Local authority Bedford Inspection number 10239862 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 5 Date of previous inspection 12 April 2022

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2012 and lives in Bedford. She operates on Monday to Friday, from 7.45am until 5.30pm, all year round except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds qualified teacher status.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in her evaluations. n The inspector and the childminder looked at the areas of her home that she uses with children and discussed how she plans her curriculum and operates her practice. n The inspector observed the childminder joining in activities with children and discussed the learning that was taking place with her. n A sample of policies and procedures was looked at by the inspector. These included documents relating to the suitability of household members, safeguarding and complaints. n The inspector took into account the views of parents and discussed the childminder's reflections of her practice with her.

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Inspection activities

7 February 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

7 February 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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