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

The childminder provides a warm and nurturing environment. Children settle quickly and show that they feel safe and ready to learn. They build a lovely, trusting bond with the childminder as they ask for cuddles and invite her into their play. Children make choices about what they want to play with from the wide range of age-appropriate toys available. They take pride in their artwork that is displayed on the windows.

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The provision is good

Children engage well with spontaneous and planned activities and are motivated to learn. For example, they learn early mathematical concepts during a planned activity. They enjoy identifying numbers and tipping peas out from one container into the next. The childminder extends this learning by helping them to count, as she holds out her hand and places peas into them one by one. She sits at eye level and really engages the children with their interests and learning. Children are absorbed and concentrate well as a result.

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The provision is good

Children develop an interest in books as they look at them with curiosity. The childminder talks about what they can see. She asks them questions to help them develop their vocabulary and identify the pictures. Older children excitedly shout out, 'That's a snail and that one is a bee'. The childminder praises them and says 'well done' when they get them right. This helps to develop children's self-esteem and confidence.

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need to do better?

n The childminder plans the curriculum around her observations of the children and what they are interested in. She ensures that children's next steps are clear, revised regularly and that they are shared with parents. The childminder is very aware of what the children need to learn next to progress their learning and development. She helps parents to further their children's learning at home by providing resources for them to use. For example, she provides flashcards to families to enable them to help their child practise their colour recognition at home. This helps to increase children's confidence and consolidate their learning. n Children are learning to be independent. The childminder encourages some children to complete tasks for themselves, such as feeding themselves with cutlery and sitting ready at the table to eat. However, the childminder does not use every opportunity for children to 'have a go'. For example, they do not tidy

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need to do better?

away toys after play or put on their own outdoor clothing and shoes. n The childminder promotes children's communication and language skills well. She models language with the children as she engages in their play. For example, she helps younger children identify the different fruit and vegetables

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need to do better?

28 March 2023 that she is pretending to feed to her baby. She says, 'That is a carrot and that is a tomato, yum yum'. This helps children to connect their actions with words and increase their vocabulary. n Children behave well and play nicely together. They flourish in the care of the childminder. She is always kind and respectful and ensures that she really engages with the children. Children's confidence and well-being is especially strong as a result. However, the childminder does not always support the youngest children to recognise and manage their emotions. n Children benefit from being taken on a range of outings. This ensures that they get regular opportunities for play outdoors and in the local community. Children attend local museums, the zoo and libraries to pick new books. They learn about nature as they go for local woodland walks, grow their own plants and vegetables and observe different animals. Children have daily access to the

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need to do better?

garden. They delight in exploring its extensive range of toys, sensory items and role-play buildings. This helps to broaden their range of experiences and offers them the freedom to explore. n The childminder is committed to developing her practice and regularly reviews this. Parents form good partnerships with the childminder. They feel their children are safe and comment that they are always excited to attend. Parents feel the childminder is well organised and committed, and they comment that their children are flourishing. They appreciate the phased approach to settling-in sessions and really like that the childminder always goes 'above and beyond' for them.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of her safeguarding role and responsibilities. She is aware of the wide range of safeguarding topics that pose a risk to children, including radicalisation and female genital mutilation. The childminder 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 made against her. The childminder is confident in identifying children who may be in need of early help. She teaches the children about how to keep themselves safe.

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should:

n provide more opportunities for children to further develop their independence and manage their own personal care n support the youngest children to understand and manage their emotions and adapt routines to fully support to their needs.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2622390 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10280895 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 3 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. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She holds a relevant childcare qualification at level 2 and provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The childminder works with a co-childminder at this setting.

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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 provider. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning discussion 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. n The childminder, co-childminder and the inspector carried out a joint observation. n The inspector interacted with the children at appropriate times during the inspection and observed their interactions with the childminder. n The inspector viewed the areas of 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

28 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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