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 Good

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The provision is good

Children arrive happily, are eager to enter the childminder's house and, overall, separate from their parents with ease. The childminder welcomes them in and asks how they are, showing care and concern towards them. Children are keen to join in with the activities, such as digging the soil for worms and trying to find spiderwebs, and they engage well as they learn the importance of cleaning their teeth. For example, the childminder reads a rhyming story to remind them of the importance of brushing 'up and down', and children delight as they brush the model teeth clean.

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The provision is good

The childminder and her assistant support children's communication and language development well. They engage children in lots of conversations, modelling new vocabulary, such as 'flutter' and 'squash'. Children enjoy sitting and listening to stories, talking about the pictures and recalling what they have already learned. Older children speak fluently and younger ones are confident communicators. Children demonstrate that they are developing good physical skills. They strengthen their muscles as they climb up the ladder and slide down the slide or rock on the see-saw outside. Indoors, children use large crayons and pencils to make marks and pick up various materials to stick on paper and make their pictures. This helps children develop their hand muscles in readiness for writing.

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need to do better?

n The dedicated childminder demonstrates integrity in everything she does. She shows a genuine enjoyment of working with children. She forms close relationships with parents and values their regular feedback. Parents speak very positively of the childminder and her assistant. They also comment on the care and commitment she provided during the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, she read stories to children using mobile devices and walked past family homes to give the children a wave. n The childminder and her assistant manage children's behaviour well. They have high expectations for the children in their care. Children respond quickly and positively to the praise and encouragement they receive. For example, older, more-confident children are able to explain the rules of the setting to the inspector. The adults explain the reasons behind these so that children begin to understand why the rules exist and how they can keep themselves and others

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need to do better?

safe. n The childminder and her assistant know the children in their care very well. They know where children are in their learning and understand what they need to learn next. They plan a rich and varied selection of well-organised activities across the curriculum, which engage and focus children to learn. n Overall, the childminder and her assistant provide good interactions with

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need to do better?

21 September 2023 children to support their learning, with a strong emphasis on the outdoors. However, although younger children are happy, at times, the childminder and her assistant do not fully engage them during some activities. For example, during some planned activities and periods when they are outside, the childminder and her assistant direct questions to older and more-confident children. n The childminder has warm, trusting relationships with children in her care. Children enjoy spending time with her and show that they feel safe and happy. The childminder supervises children closely and is quick to notice when they appear hungry, thirsty or in need of a nap. n The childminder and her assistant attend mandatory training, such as for first aid and safeguarding. However, she recognises she is yet to establish a targeted programme of professional development to consistently improve her knowledge

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need to do better?

and skills to the very highest level. n The childminder promotes children's good health. She provides healthy, home- cooked snacks and lunches and they sit together and have a social meal. The childminder ensures that children wash their hands before food and after using the toilet. This supports children to have a healthy lifestyle. She ensures that children have daily opportunities to play in her garden, and there are frequent visits to local parks.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant have a good understanding of the setting's safeguarding policy and they keep their training up to date. The childminder and her assistant recognise signs and symptoms that would cause them to be concerned for a child's welfare. They know how to identify children who may be exposed to extreme views. The childminder and her assistant know how to report any concerns they may have about children or the adults they encounter. They use risk assessments to help minimise potential hazards and maintain a safe environment. They are vigilant about safety and maintain correct ratios to keep children safe.

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should:

n monitor and adapt activities to ensure that all children, in particular quieter children, can fully engage and benefit from the learning opportunities n implement a programme of professional development to raise the quality of practice and teaching to the highest levels.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY424376 Local authority Milton Keynes Inspection number 10301713 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 12 Date of previous inspection 31 January 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2011 and lives in Oxley Park, Milton Keynes. She operates all year round, from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with her husband, who is her assistant. The childminder and her husband each hold relevant early years qualifications 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 childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provision. n The inspector had a learning walk with the childminder through all areas of the premises used by the children. n Parents shared their views through written feedback. The inspector took these views into account. n The inspector talked to the childminder, her assistant and children at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The childminder carried out a joint observation with the inspector.

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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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