Carofalo Sonia Elena

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children have built close relationships with the childminder and demonstrate that they feel very safe and secure. The childminder makes them feel exceptionally valued and cared for. This boosts children's self-confidence and allows them to thrive in the learning environment. Children benefit from a wide range of high- quality learning experiences which the childminder has carefully planned. She uses her knowledge of the children's interests and her understanding of their next steps in learning. For example, children delight as they explore a small-world scenario with a selection of toy arctic animals. The childminder extends children's vocabulary modelling words such as 'tusks' and 'seal'. Children demonstrate exceptional levels of focus and concentration for their age.

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The provision is outstanding

Children behave extremely well. The childminder teaches children to share, take turns and show respect towards one another. Children develop excellent skills to support their independence from a very young age. The childminder teaches them to do simple tasks for themselves, such as washing their hands and preparing their own food. For instance, children use knives and chopping boards to chop fruit for snack time. The childminder cares deeply for the children, and her passion to give them the best start in life shines through. She gives children opportunities to make choices throughout the session. This raises children's self-esteem and helps them develop into confident individuals.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is extremely skilled at supporting children's developing speech and language. She listens attentively to children and models a wide range of vocabulary for children to learn. The childminder creates a culture of conversation in her home. She teaches children some words and phrases in her own language, which is Italian, and this broadens children's understanding of language development. Consequently, children are becoming confident, skilled communicators. n The childminder supports children to learn about their local community and the world they live in. She regularly takes children on trips, such as nature walks, visits to visit the local library, the museum or soft play. The childminder also regularly meets with other childminders to ensure children have the opportunity to mix with a wider range of children to build social skills. n Parents are overwhelmingly happy with their children's experience at the

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need to do better?

childminder's home. They comment, 'she is extremely professional, caring, organised, thoughtful and fun'. Parents talk about the significant progress their children have made since attending and praise the healthy, home-made food the childminder provides. n The childminder teaches mathematical concepts extremely well. She has an

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need to do better?

10 February 2023 excellent understanding of how young children learn about numbers. The childminder gives children opportunities to develop skills in finding amounts. She supports children's counting skills exceptionally well. The childminder also carefully plans activities to give children knowledge of measuring. For example, children show very high levels of engagement as they use cereals to explore filling and emptying a range of containers. They investigate the weighing scales, learning words such as 'balance'. n Children are surrounded by opportunities to explore literacy. Throughout the session, the childminder reads books to the children in a way that excites and engages them. They delight as they lift flaps and join in with words from their favourite books. The childminder also encourages children to make marks and shows older children what their name looks like in print, so they can begin to

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need to do better?

learn how to write their name. n The childminder places a high value on teaching children the importance of a healthy lifestyle. The childminder ensures children have daily exercise outside with regular walks and yoga sessions. The childminder is also passionate about food and prepares healthy, freshly prepared meals and snacks. She has an excellent understanding of child development. The childminder focuses her curriculum on emotional development and building attachments. She teaches children about their feelings and provides a supportive environment for discussion. n The childminder is passionate about her role and reflective of her practice. She strives to continuously improve her knowledge and skills to enhance her teaching even further. The childminder has recently completed a level 4 qualification and talks about the understanding she has of child development theorists and how this impacts on her practice.

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need to do better?

n Children's creativity is promoted and encouraged. For instance, children explore a range of different materials, and build their fine motor skills as they rehearse the skill of 'scrunching'. Also, children use all of their senses to explore as they investigate scented dough to make different shapes.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has extensive knowledge of safeguarding issues. She is aware of the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk and knows how to report any concerns about a child's welfare. She completes regular child protection training and further training about wider safeguarding issues, such as female genital mutilation and the 'Prevent' duty. The childminder ensures she completes regular risk assessments, including how to ensure the children are safe around her pets. She has an excellent understanding of mental health issues.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 219642 Local authority Bedford Inspection number 10265287 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

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 1 June 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1998. She lives in Bedford, Bedfordshire. The childminder is available to care for children from 7am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, throughout most of the year. The childminder holds a relevant early years qualification at level 4. She provides funded early education for 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 childminder and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the setting. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together, discussing the curriculum provided for children. n The childminder and the inspector completed a joint observation of an activity and discussed the learning that took place. n The inspector observed interactions between the childminder and the children. n The inspector viewed written feedback provided by parents. n The inspector viewed some key documentation provided at request by the childminder.

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Inspection activities

10 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

10 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

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