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 Good

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The provision is good

Children appear happy, confident and settled in the childminder's home. They are eager to interact with the childminder and snuggle up to her for stories. The childminder provides experiences for children inside and outside of the home depending on their preference for learning. She ensures that children learn through their interests and based on their abilities, as she teaches them new things. For example, younger children complete insert puzzles and name different animals. Older children complete more complex puzzles and discuss what is going on in the picture as they complete it. Children have access to toys that they can select as they please, as a result, learning in the childminder's home is fun.

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The provision is good

Children play happily with each other. Older children enjoy a sense of responsibility as they help to get water bottles for their younger peers. Younger children look up to older children as role models. Children are genuinely caring towards each other, and the childminder reinforces the rules in her home where needed so that children understand what is expected of them. As a result, children behave well. As children ask for things during the day, the childminder acts as a positive role model. She demonstrates the use of manners and children are eager to repeat them.

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need to do better?

n The childminder provides opportunities for children to develop their understanding of the wider world. For example, children go for outings into local wooded areas and learn about insects and what they do for our planet. Children are currently watching frogspawn grow into frogs, which sparks curiosity about the world around them. They have opportunities to develop physically as they explore local areas and use their larger muscles to move. n Parents are informed about their children's day via an online application. The childminder talks to them daily about their children's learning and shares photos of activities that their children have enjoyed doing. She works closely in partnership with parents when children are learning how to use the toilet and following their routines from home. This partnership working contributes to providing consistency in children's care and learning. As a result, children feel

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need to do better?

confident in her home. n Children learn skills for their move on to school, such as how to be independent. The childminder asks them to put on their own shoes before entering the garden. They understand how to practise good hygiene routines and wipe their faces independently when needed. However, the childminder has not yet formed effective relationships with other settings that children are attending. This means some information is not being shared to promote a smooth transition and a consistent approach to the support children receive. n The childminder uses songs and stories to support children's communication and

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need to do better?

26 June 2023 language skills. She introduces new vocabulary to children throughout their play and comments on what they are doing, using open-ended questions to extend their language. However, the childminder does not always consider leaving some time for children to be able to respond and on occasion, she answers for them. As a result, children do not always have opportunities to solve problems and express their own opinions. n Mathematics is well taught and entwined in the daily routine in the childminder's home. Children count steps on the staircase as they go to wash their hands. The childminder discusses the sizes of different insects, encouraging children to make comparisons between different groups. For younger children she sings counting rhymes and understands that activities need to be differentiated to support children's individual developmental stages. n The childminder is committed to her own professional development. She attends

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need to do better?

regular training, such as safeguarding, speech and language courses and others relevant to child development. This ensures that her knowledge is up to date. She is passionate about evaluating her setting and making improvements where needed to meet children's individual needs. She encourages parents to give feedback about what is working well and what she could improve on, so that her provision is continually being developed to meet the needs of all children and their families.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder recognises the signs and symptoms of different types of abuse and can talk about safeguarding in the wider context, such as female genital mutilation. She is confident in her responsibility to report concerns about adults in the setting, should these occur. The childminder knows how and when to escalate concerns about children to external agencies where this may be required. She carries out daily checks and regular risk assessments of the indoor and outdoor environments to ensure children's safety. She teaches children how to manage their own risk as they climb on stepping stones in the garden, encouraging them to play safely.

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should:

n link with other settings before children start attending them, sharing information to promote a smooth transition and a consistent approach to the support children receive n allow time for children to respond to questions being asked, so that they can express their thoughts and feelings.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY313224 Local authority Bedford Inspection number 10289629 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 6 Date of previous inspection 30 November 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2005 and lives in Wootton, Bedfordshire. She operates all year round, from 7.45am to 5.30pm on Monday and Wednesday, from 8am to 4.15pm on Tuesday and from 8am to 4pm on Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3.

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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 setting. 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 to with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and 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

26 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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