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

The childminder provides a welcoming home-from-home environment for the children in her care. She invests time in getting to know the children and their families. This helps her to plan a curriculum and environment that supports children's interests and individual needs. Children are comforted by reassuring cuddles when they struggle with their feelings. This helps them feel safe and secure. The childminder's sensitive and affectionate interactions support children's well-being and sense of security.

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The provision is good

Children show positive attitudes towards learning and are eager to engage in the activities provided. For example, they become excited as they learn about colours by placing dinosaurs into matching colour pots. As children name the colours successfully, the childminder challenges their learning by introducing words ,such as 'light and dark', to describe the variety of colours. Children receive positive praise for their efforts and they then begin to praise the efforts of their peers, imitating the words of the childminder.

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The provision is good

The childminder has high expectations for children's learning and behaviour. Her calm and friendly approach encourages children to behave well. When children have minor disputes over sharing toys, the childminder sensitively models and teaches children ways to resolve their disagreements. Subsequently, children are learning vital social skills such as turn taking and being kind to others.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has created a curriculum that is well sequenced, child-led and firmly rooted in the prime areas of learning. She recognises where she can enhance the curriculum, such as outings to support children's emerging learning needs, and she includes opportunities for children to explore the world outside the setting. Children frequently attend toddler groups, go on outings with other childminders and their children, and visit woodlands. These experiences help children to learn about their local community and the wider world around them. n The childminder carries out effective settling-in procedures that help children settle quickly. She gathers information about what children already know and can do and uses this, alongside her own initial assessments, to plan activities and experiences to support children's transitions. The childminder continually reflects on her teaching and adapts practice to meet the needs of the children in

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need to do better?

her care. As a result, all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make good progress across all areas of learning. n The childminder supports children to have healthy lifestyles. She provides children with home-cooked healthy meals and they have access to water and milk throughout the day. Children take part in gross motor activities both inside

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need to do better?

21 November 2023 and outside the setting. They carry large stepping stones to different areas where they learn to balance and move along them. The childminder supports children with toilet training and they are encouraged to be independent in their own care routines. However, she has not fully considered how to support children's understanding of good hygiene practices. This can, on occasion, hinder their understanding of the importance of these to their good health. n Overall, the childminder promotes children's language and communication well. She engages in meaningful interactions with children and they learn to have back and forth conversations. Children intently listen to stories about Christmas and they point and name objects they can see in the book. As children use different materials to decorate a snowman, the childminder encourages them to discuss and describe the texture and colour of what they are using. However, at

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need to do better?

times, the childminder asks lots of closed questions, which limits the children's language and thinking skills. n The childminder supports children with SEND well. She works closely with other professionals and follows the advice given to ensure she is meeting the needs of individual children. The childminder seeks further training and reading to develop her understanding of children's specific needs and works extremely closely with parents to ensure continuity of care and learning. n Parents speak very highly of the childminder. They comment that she demonstrates an 'unwavering commitment' to developing their child's well-being. Parents positively talk about the wide variety of activities the childminder provides and state that their children have made amazing progress in the setting.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder shows a good understanding of all safeguarding matters. She knows how to identify possible signs of abuse and understands the requirements of the 'Prevent' duty. The childminder knows what to do should an allegation be made against her or anyone in her household. She has a robust safeguarding policy and knows who to contact should she have concerns about a child's welfare. She teaches children about online safety and ensures that any electrical devices are monitored and secure. She provides a safe environment for children to play and learn.

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should:

n strengthen teaching about the importance of good hygiene routines to ensure that children receive consistent messages n develop questioning skills further to challenge children and encourage problem-

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY471634 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10295510 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 7 Date of previous inspection 8 December 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2013. She is located in Flitwick, Bedfordshire. The childminder works from 7.30am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, for most of the year. She holds a relevant 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 provider. 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 and childminder completed a joint observation of an activity to assess the quality of teaching. n Parents shared their views of the childminder with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

21 November 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 November 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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