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 Good

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The provision is good

Children arrive at the childminder's welcoming, home-from-home setting happy and excited to start their day. They put their arms out to her for cuddles and reassurance, which demonstrates the bond that they have with her. Older children, in particular, make good progress in their development from their starting points. The children engage in interesting and enjoyable activities that are based on their interests and next steps in learning. For example, children learn how to follow instructions well as they play a colour game. Children excitedly find items of a certain colour and race to give them to the childminder. This helps to develop their recognition skills and promotes teamwork.

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The provision is good

Children in this setting benefit from a wide range of experiences and activities. They learn about nature as they go for local woodland walks, grow their own plants and vegetables and observe different animals. Children learn about the world around them as they visit local museums, the zoo, and libraries to choose new books. The childminder uses these experiences to teach children essential life skills, including road safety and how to care for living things. As a result, children are acquiring important knowledge.

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need to do better?

n The childminder plans her curriculum by following children's interests and providing various themes to help children learn about the world around them. She notices things that children talk about or pay particular attention to and then tries to plan activities around these. n Children have active and sociable lifestyles. Older children enjoy being outdoors in all weathers. They delight in exploring the garden and the extensive range of toys, sensory items and role-play buildings. Children develop friendships as they interact positively with each other. They cuddle and support one another. However, the childminder does not ensure that the youngest children receive the same challenges in their play or the same high-quality interactions as the older children. n The childminder takes time to find out important information from the parents before the children start. She carries out observations of the children and tracks

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need to do better?

their progress with parents as they begin to settle. She has detailed and well- thought-out next steps for each child and understands what they already know and can do. Her settling-in procedures are flexible and managed on an individual basis, depending on what will work for the children and their families. n Children learn the importance of leading healthy lifestyles. The childminder provides meals for the children and ensures that they receive a healthy, balanced diet that includes plenty of vegetables and fruit. She teaches the children about oral health and provides easy access to their water bottles to

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need to do better?

28 March 2023 ensure that they remain hydrated. This enables children to develop a good understanding of how to take care of their bodies. n The childminder promotes children's communication and language skills well. She watches the children and engages with what they are doing. For example, as children look at their reflection in the glass part of a door, the childminder asks, 'Who can you see?' and 'Can you knock on the door?' As a result, children become further interested in their reflection and understand that doors can be knocked on. n Children are becoming independent. The childminder encourages children to carry out some tasks for themselves, such as wiping their hands after mealtimes and sitting ready at the table to eat. However, the childminder does not make the best use of all opportunities to encourage children to do more for themselves and extend their independence, such as putting on their shoes and

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need to do better?

coats to go outside. n The childminder evaluates her own practice well. She ensures that her professional development and training are up to date. Parents are delighted with the wide range of activities offered and feel that their children's development has improved greatly. Parents say that their children are happy and settled and that the childminder always goes 'above and beyond' for them. They are clear on their children's next steps and feel informed about their children's day.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder understands her role and responsibility to safeguard children. She has a sound knowledge of the wider safeguarding issues that pose a risk to children, such as radicalisation and female genital mutilation. The childminder is confident about the possible signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. She knows who to contact if she has a safeguarding concern and how to respond in the event an allegation is made against her or her family. The childminder is confident in identifying children who may be in need of early support. She helps children to learn about keeping themselves safe.

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should:

n enhance learning opportunities for the youngest children to ensure that they receive the same challenges in their play and the same high-quality interactions as the older children n extend everyday opportunities for children to develop their independence further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY443670 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10283758 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 7 Date of previous inspection 15 March 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2013 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. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. She works daily with a co-childminder from the same 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 setting. n The childminder and the inspector had a learning discussion together to understand how the early years provision and the 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, including

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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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