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 form secure attachments with the childminder. They seek her out for cuddles when they need reassurance and invite her into their imaginative play. Children freely access a range of toys from the well-resourced playroom. For example, they select different types of phones from the role-play kitchen and take part in back-and-forth conversations with the childminder and their peers. The childminder offers praise and encouragement for children as they play. These interactions help to build children's self-esteem, develop their social skills and support their growing vocabulary.

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The provision is good

The childminder knows the children well and builds a curriculum around the children's interests and developmental stage. Children enjoy exploring the different colour and number stacking blocks. The childminder encourages the younger children to think about the size of each container, describing which blocks are the largest and which are the smallest. Older children practise counting the blocks and identifying significant numbers written on them. Subsequently, children are developing a good understanding of early mathematical concepts and language. As children stack the blocks in size order, they develop their hand-to-eye coordination, balancing each one on top of another.

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need to do better?

n The childminder meets children's individual needs well. She gathers information from parents about their children's likes and dislikes, as well as their care needs and routines. She provides tailored settling-in sessions to ensure that children feel safe and secure in her setting from the start. Therefore, children settle quickly. n Children develop a love of books and stories. They regularly visit the local library where they select books of interest and read them together. There are lots of books available in the setting, which children can access freely. They listen intently as the childminder enthusiastically reads to them and actively engage as they discuss the different characters. Children have an obvious enjoyment for books, and this helps to secure the foundations for a love of literacy in their later life. n Children's language skills are promoted well. The childminder models the correct pronunciation of words and introduces new vocabulary as she plays with them.

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need to do better?

Overall, the childminder helps children to develop a good attitude to learning. She is successful at capturing children's initial interest by planning activities that are enjoyable and age appropriate. For example, children become excited as they take it in turns to pick toys linked to nursery rhymes from a bag. They sing songs together and the childminder purposefully pauses, allowing children time to finish the verse. However, although the childminder gets children's initial

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need to do better?

30 November 2023 interest, they can become distracted and lose focus. n The childminder provides plenty of opportunities for children to access fresh air and exercise. Children learn about their local community and the wider world around them. They benefit from visits to the local woodland, parks and toddler groups. During these experiences children learn about personal safety, such as how to cross the road and play with other children, developing wider social circles. n Overall, the childminder supports children's behaviour well. She is calm and nurturing and uses positive praise to help support children in regulating their emotions. Children take part in planned activities to support turn taking and the childminder encourages children to work harmoniously together. However, she is not consistent in supporting children to learn to manage their own behaviour. Children are not always given clear explanations about unwanted behaviours to

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need to do better?

support them in adapting their behaviour accordingly. n The childminder has strong relationships with parents. She regularly shares information with them about their children's progress and care needs. Parents comment that their children are thriving since beginning their time at the setting and that the childminder's 'remarkable dedication, professionalism and genuine care for the well-being and development of children' is exceptional. n The childminder places high priority on professional development. She is currently working towards a level 3 qualification in childcare and attends regular training to enhance her practice.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of how to keep children safe. She recognises the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm, including safeguarding issues such as county lines. The childminder knows what action to take should she have concerns about a child's safety and understands her duty to report allegations made against her or a household member. She carefully plans trips out to ensure children safety is a priority. The childminder attends regular training to keep her knowledge and skills up to date.

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should:

n consider fully how to adapt teaching during activities so that children's initial interest is maintained and built on n reflect further on the organisation of some routines and interactions to help children better understand about expected behaviour in a more consistent way.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY495052 Local authority Bedford Inspection number 10301050 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 13 Date of previous inspection 25 January 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Bromham, Bedfordshire. She operates all year round from 8am until 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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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 The inspector took account of the views of parents. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

30 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

30 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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