Childminder in Milton Keynes

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

Children have changing patterns of attendance. The childminder knows the challenge of providing a curriculum that is flexible enough to meet the needs of all children when they do not regularly attend her care. She follows a broad theme. For example, during the inspection, the childminder was helping children to learn about autumn. The activities she provides revolve around looking at colours, the natural world and singing songs that broadly link to these themes. She focuses upon what the children need to learn now, such as getting to know each other, following a familiar routine and learning to be sociable. Therefore, her flexible approach means that she is responsive to children's needs. In turn, children appear confident and settle well. They take full advantage of the activities on offer and the childminder has a good understanding about how children develop. She knows what they need to learn next, meaning that children enjoy challenge and interest

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The provision is good

The childminder is aware that how children behave depends on the things that they experience, such as being in a new environment. She recognises children's strong emotions and when older children want to test boundaries. She is calm and caring but firm in her approach. This helps children to understand how they need to behave to help them to feel safe and ready to engage in learning.

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need to do better?

n Children who speak English as an additional language are making good progress. The childminder focuses on encouraging children to hear and practise using English as they play and learn. Her teaching includes supporting children with naming objects and speaking in home languages, then repeating phrases in English. The childminder praises children warmly and they grow in confidence in their communication skills. n Some young children explore the environment using their mouths. The childminder knows that this is an important stage of development but also carries risk. She explores this with parents, ensuring children are not experiencing dental pain or hunger. She then plans a safe environment, where children can learn what they should and should not put in their mouths. n Children enjoy playing with large foam bricks. They stack these together building tall towers, stretching to reach the top before the bricks topple over and they

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need to do better?

start again. In the garden, children have chance to be physically active and enjoy fresh air and exercise. This all helps to contribute towards children learning about how to test out what their bodies can do. n The childminder is fastidious about food hygiene and promoting children's good health. She has rigid measures she follows during food preparation and mealtimes. However, while she is carrying out these measures, children are left

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need to do better?

21 September 2023 waiting. During this time, they become restless and appear bored as there is little to engage them. n The childminder understands her local community and the needs of families. She provides highly flexible care for children and parents truly value this. The childminder has found quick and easy ways to share information with families, so they know how well children are progressing. n The childminder gathers information from parents before children start in her care and knows children well. However, she does not swiftly gain information from other childcare provisions where children previously attended. As a result, she does not have all information to most effectively plan for children's care and education. n The childminder is highly professional in the manner she organises her provision. She works well with her assistants, ensuring that she supervises their work. The childminder and her assistants carry out regular professional development, to

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need to do better?

build upon their skills. Consequently, all understand their role and can successfully promote children's safety. n The childminder focuses on promoting children's well-being and good health. She values each child's diverse background and promotes their good mental and physical health. The childminder includes tooth brushing as part of the daily routine with children. She knows that poor oral health can lead to children experiencing pain and difficulty eating. She teaches children about the importance of looking after their teeth and shares the learning with parents.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding about her responsibility to keep children safe. She is alert to risks for children and reviews and adapts her risk assessments to ensure that these are continually effective. The childminder carries out all required checks to confirm that any assistants that she works with are suitable to work with children. The childminder knows the indicators that children might be at risk of harm. She keeps precise records and works effectively with local safeguarding partners. The childminder completes regular training, seeking out further opportunities when she feels that she needs more information to support her in her role in keeping children safe.

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should:

n review the curriculum and opportunities for learning around mealtimes, so that children do not become restless and bored as they wait for their meals n gather more information about children when they first start, including from previous provisions children have attended, to provide them with more

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should:

21 September 2023 continuity and consistency in their care and education.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2675183 Local authority Milton Keynes Inspection number 10310372 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 18 Number of children on roll 15 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2022 and lives in Bletchley. She operates all year round from 6.30am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, and occasionally on weekends, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides free funded early education for children aged two, three, and four years old.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n This inspection was prioritised following a risk assessment process. n The inspector discussed the intent of the curriculum and observed its implementation during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the childminder. Throughout the inspection, the inspector spoke with the childminder and children at suitable times. n The views of parents were obtained through written feedback.

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Inspection activities

21 September 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

21 September 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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