Childminder in Bedford

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children are happy, waving at visitors as they come into the childminder's home. The childminder and her assistants have developed good relationships with children, and as a result, children are eager to interact with them and show them what they are doing. The childminder ensures that children are taught through their interests. She has developed a curriculum whereby she introduces a weekly topic to children, which sparks their curiosity and builds on what they already know. For example, children learn about oral hygiene, and the childminder arranges for a dentist to come in and talk to them about how to care for their teeth.

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The provision is good

The childminder and her assistants work well together to model good behaviour to children. Children understand the routine and are happy to help, such as during tidying-up times. They play well together, and adults role model turn-taking. As a result, behaviour is good, and children need little support when playing together. Children are polite. They use their manners during mealtimes and when asking for something, and they know their routine well. Adults make transitional parts of the routine fun. Children hold onto each other's shoulders and make a particular noise of an animal as they go through to another room for their snack.

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need to do better?

n Children communicate well with each other in the childminder's home. The childminder and her assistants have identified gaps in children's communication skills since the COVID-19 pandemic and have worked to ensure that they make good progress. Children who speak English as an additional language are also well supported. The childminder and her assistants use visual aids on lanyards to be able to communicate. Children have access to books with multiple languages inside, and adults are keen to celebrate and discuss the different languages that children speak at home. n Children have lots of opportunities to continue their learning outdoors. The childminder ensures that activities are provided in the garden that support children who have a preference for learning outside. The childminder and her assistants often take children into the local community to further their learning of their weekly topic. For example, children visit the library, where they can

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need to do better?

access books about things they are beginning to learn about. n The childminder arranges focus group times for children to encourage them to learn to participate with others. For example, children sit and listen to a story, and adults ask them about what they see in the book. However, the organisation of group times is not always highly effective. Younger children tend to lose interest quickly, while the most able children answer all the questions being asked. Therefore, all children do not benefit from the rich learning opportunities

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need to do better?

19 May 2023 these times offer. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well. The childminder ensures that all adults working in her home have relevant training to support the specific needs of children. Staff know children well and discuss plans in place to ensure that children make the progress that they are capable of. They work well with external professionals to share relevant information so that all children's needs are met. n The childminder regularly attends training with the local authority to further her professional development. She holds meetings with her assistants and models practice to demonstrate the high standards of teaching that she expects. The childminder identifies gaps in training and encourages her assistants to pursue further training relevant to their roles. n Most activities are planned well. For example, children learn about different textures in a farm-themed sensory tray. However, adults miss opportunities to

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need to do better?

build on some children's existing knowledge, and as a result, some learning opportunities for children are missed. n Parents commend the childminder and her assistants on the level of care they provide, saying that they are 'patient and kind'. Parents state that they enjoy receiving updates about their child's development and benefit from parents' evenings that the childminder arranges.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistants have recently attended safeguarding training through the local authority. They can explain and demonstrate what they would do if they thought that a child was at risk of potential harm. Her assistants are able to talk about safeguarding in the wider context, including how to act on potential suspicions of extremism and radicalisation happening in a child's home. The childminder ensures that safeguarding is discussed in every meeting with her assistants so that their knowledge is thorough. Adults teach children to be safe when they are in her home. They carry out regular fire drills, and children understand the importance of exiting her home swiftly.

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should:

n develop staff's teaching knowledge to create even more opportunities during activities for children to build on what they already know n organise group times more effectively to ensure that every child benefits from the rich learning opportunities these offer.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY372377 Local authority Bedford Inspection number 10285898 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 12 Number of children on roll 21 Date of previous inspection 23 October 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2008 and lives in Kempston, Bedfordshire. She operates all year round, from 8am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant qualification at level 3 and employs two assistants.

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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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder, her assistants and the children. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity completed by the childminder. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of 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

19 May 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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