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 have a great bond with the childminder. They form warm and trusting relationships with her and go to her for cuddles when they feel tired. Even the newest children are happy and settle quickly into this welcoming environment. There are good opportunities for the children to make choices in their play. For example, children explore a play kitchen and the toy foods, and they look at inset puzzles together. The children have a keen interest in books. Older children gasp with delight as they turn the pages to see what is next. Babies enjoy feeling the textures inside sensory books. They learn new words, such as 'bumpy' and 'rough', and they begin to learn about their own body parts when they compare body parts of the animals in the book to their own.

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The provision is good

Children benefit from a good curriculum of activities that are based on their individual interests. The childminder ensures that the resources available are focused on these interests and that her planned activities extend these further. For example, she took the children on a bus journey after noticing that they became very excited whenever they saw a bus on their walks to school. Children enjoy regular outings to expand their experiences, such as local walks to explore nature and visits to indoor playgroups and fun library sessions.

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need to do better?

n The childminder promotes positive behaviour. She is very encouraging of the children when they do something well, such as when they build a tower together using large blocks. She uses the children's names so that they know she is talking about them when she praises them, and she notices and points out kind behaviour to further encourage it. The childminder models kind behaviour and reminds them about 'gentle hands'. As a result, children are confident and kind with their interactions. n The childminder provides a curriculum that supports children to learn through play. She ensures the children can access an interesting range of toys and resources that are age appropriate. The childminder observes children regularly and assesses their development. However, she does not fully understand the intent behind some of the activities that she provides and what the children are learning from them. n Children learn about the importance of developing healthy routines and being

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need to do better?

independent. They follow good handwashing routines and learn that they are washing away germs. Children enjoy healthy meals and have easy access to their water bottles. Children are independent in feeding themselves and they are beginning to learn to use cutlery. n The childminder supports children's communication and language development. She consistently models language and talks to the children during their play. She

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need to do better?

7 March 2023 practises words with babies, such as 'mama' and 'dada', and she ensures that she faces them when she speaks. Children delight in listening to the childminder sing familiar nursery rhymes. Older children copy the actions and babies move their bodies to the music and watch the childminder with smiles on their faces. n Children have a good understanding about how they keep themselves safe outside of the setting. Older children understand road safety and how to use their senses to listen and look for hazards. They hold onto buggy straps when walking or they use backpack reigns that the childminder can hold on to. However, opportunities for physical challenge and appropriate risk-taking during indoor play for the youngest of children are not always fully supported. For example, when babies show a desire to crawl to toys or pull themselves up using furniture to stand, the childminder regularly brings them back to activities that

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need to do better?

they have lost interest in or sits them back down. n Partnerships with parents are good. Parents feel their children are progressing well with their development. They comment about how excited their children are to see the childminder each day. Parents are happy with the communication and updates that they regularly receive. They remark that the childminder is caring and supportive. n The childminder has attended recent and relevant training to support her professional development. She shares new ideas and useful training with other professionals, and she evaluates her setting and has ideas on how to improve it for the children's learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder's safeguarding knowledge is good. She has a clear understanding of all safeguarding issues, including wider concerns, such as radicalisation and female genital mutilation. She is aware of the possible signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. She knows who to contact if she has a child protection concern and how to respond in the event of an allegation. The childminder is confident in identifying children who may be in need of early help.

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should:

n develop knowledge and understanding about the intent and purpose behind activities and what children are learning from them n provide more opportunities for physical challenge and appropriate risk-taking during play for younger children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2608709 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10280887 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 Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2021 and lives in Dunstable. The childminder operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. 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 childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to understand how the early years provision and curriculum are organised. n The inspector made observations throughout the inspection of children's experiences in the setting. n Parents shared their views of the childminder's setting with the inspector through written feedback. n The inspector interacted with the children at appropriate times during the inspection and observed their interactions with the childminder. n The childminder and the inspector carried out a joint observation. n The inspector viewed the areas on the premises that are used for childminding. n The childminder shared a sample of documents with the inspector. This included

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Inspection activities

evidence of training 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

7 March 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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