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 form close bonds with this warm and nurturing childminder, who is sensitive and caring in her approach. They are extremely happy, confident and sociable in this home-from-home environment. The childminder is attentive to the children's needs and offers reassuring cuddles as children become tired. These strong relationships help children to feel safe and secure.

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The provision is good

The childminder knows the children well and builds her curriculum around the children's developmental needs and interests. She plans exciting activities linked to the children's next steps, ensuring that all children make good progress in their learning. Children are motivated by activities and show good levels of concentration given their young age.

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The provision is good

Children explore the wide range of resources available and seek out the childminder to engage her in their play. They pretend to buy food at the shops, and the childminder helps them to count the number of objects they buy, developing their early mathematical understanding. Children learn about healthy lifestyles. As they select food from the shop, the childminder encourages the children to think about healthy food choices, and they discuss different fruits and vegetables. Children demonstrate a positive attitude to learning. They eagerly use a range of tools to fill pots with soil and practise going up and down the slide. This develops their fine and gross motor skills.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a clear intention for her setting. She places a strong focus on supporting children's social and emotional development. Children have regular opportunities to develop their social interactions and widen their social circle. The childminder plans time for the children to meet with other children from different settings, as well as visits to the park and the library. n The childminder gains detailed information from parents about the children before they start. She makes precise assessments of children's starting points and identifies appropriate next steps. The childminder provides children with a purposeful and interesting programme of learning and weaves this cleverly into children's play. Children with a keen interest in vehicles dip cars in paint and use them to make marks on paper. This supports children's motor development and promotes early mark-making skills. n The childminder supports children's developing speech. She models words

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need to do better?

clearly and consistently, which helps children to remember newly learned words. The childminder listens carefully to what the children say and gives them time to respond to her open-ended questions. Children feel valued and respected. n The childminder provides nutritional home-cooked meals. Children bake healthy

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need to do better?

8 June 2023 foods and enjoy eating them at snack time. They learn about good hygiene routines, such as washing their hands before mealtimes and after using the toilet. However, the childminder does not consistently help children to understand why such routines are important. n The childminder ensures children spend quality time outside. They sow seeds and delight in watching the plants change and grow. The childminder effectively encourages children to develop their senses. She teaches children to listen to sounds in the environment, smell flowers and describe the texture of natural objects they see. As children explore in the garden, they hear an aeroplane above. The childminder takes time to focus on what the sound is and supports children to think about which part of their body they need to use to hear and see the aeroplane. n The childminder helps children to develop their independence in a range of

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need to do better?

ways. Children choose which toys they wish to explore, and young children feed themselves at lunchtime. However, at times, the childminder completes tasks for the children without encouraging them to try for themselves first. This prevents children from developing even higher levels of independence in their self-help skills. n Partnerships with parents are extremely strong. Parents comment that the childminder is 'amazing at what she does' and state that she 'provides a safe and caring home-from-home environment'. The childminder regularly updates parents about their children's progress and provides them with knowledge on how to support their learning at home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder completes regular training and keeps her safeguarding knowledge up to date. She understands how to identify possible signs of abuse, including exposure to extremist views. The childminder has a clear understanding of how to report possible concerns related to a child's welfare. She teaches children how to keep safe both within the setting and when out and about. Children learn how to stay safe when using the internet, and she shares internet safety advice with parents. The childminder is aware of what action to take if an allegation is made against her or a household member.

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should:

n develop the daily practice that supports children in understanding the relevance of hygiene routines n promote children's independence further by encouraging them to do more things for themselves.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY491280 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10289137 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 3 Date of previous inspection 13 November 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a childcare qualification at level 3. She 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 has received since the COVID pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with her and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector and childminder completed a joint observation of an activity to assess the quality of teaching. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their early years foundation stage curriculum. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children during activities. n The inspector took account of the views of parents. n The childminder shared a sample of documents with the inspector. This included evidence about training and the suitability of those living on the premises.

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Inspection activities

8 June 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

8 June 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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