Childminder in Milton Keynes

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision requires improvement

Children are cared for by a kind and caring childminder. They are settled and content in her care. However, weaknesses in the childminder's understanding of her role as an educator mean that children's learning needs are not met as well as their care needs. The childminder is not ambitious enough for all children. For example, she does not take into account younger children's capacity to learn as well as she needs to. Children are encouraged to explore toys and resources. Overall, they enjoy doing so, but the childminder does not present these toys in ways that best enable children to focus and use them purposefully. However, children do hear words and phrases modelled clearly to support their developing language skills.

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The provision requires improvement

Children behave appropriately for their age. They learn to play alongside other children and have opportunities to practise sharing and taking turns. They go to toddler and music groups to meet other children and broaden their experiences. Children develop warm relationships with the childminder and other children. This helps them feel safe and emotionally secure. They enjoy the cosy environment and opportunities to snuggle up for stories.

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need to do better?

n The childminder identifies some aims for children's learning. For example, she understands the importance of focusing on young children's social, language and physical skills. However, she is not clear about how she will actually teach some of these skills, relying on children gaining the skills they need through their self- chosen play. The childminder is not consistently effective in playing an active role in guiding children's learning. n Children do benefit from hearing the childminder speak clearly to them about things they can see and are doing. This helps children learn words in context, helping them understand what the words mean. The childminder is encouraging when young children babble, which helps build children's confidence to vocalise their needs. n When the childminder does plan some more adult-led activities, she does not take close enough account of children's current abilities. This leads to children

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need to do better?

being asked to do things that are too hard for them, which does not best support their learning needs. Children lose interest or become distracted. For example, when planning an activity to encourage children's physical development, the childminder put out resources that children did not yet have the strength or dexterity to use. n Children have access to plenty of toys. However, the childminder does not present these in ways that best enable children to use them purposefully. For example, the sheer abundance of toys on the floor limits younger children's

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need to do better?

29 November 2023 ability to practise their early walking skills, including when the childminder has identified this as a priority for children's learning. n Parents speak highly of the childminder. They report that their children enjoy being with her and that she is helpful and supportive. They appreciate the advice she offers as they navigate parenthood. For example, parents turn to her for help when establishing eating and sleeping routines for their children. However, the childminder does not always build effectively on these warm partnerships to best support children's learning. For example, she does not help parents understand the importance of introducing children to cultures beyond their own. As a result, the childminder does not plan experiences to help children develop an understanding of the diverse world in which they live. n The childminder plans her day to ensure she can meet children's care needs.

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need to do better?

She follows children's established eating and sleeping routines from home, understanding how this can help children feel secure. She ensures children get daily fresh air and exercise to promote their good health. n The childminder ensures she and her assistants complete all statutory training, such as paediatric first aid and safeguarding. However, since the last inspection, the childminder has not made effective use of opportunities to enhance her own professional development and keep abreast of changes in regard to expectations around her role. This has contributed to the weaker aspects of her practice, especially in relation to her role in supporting children's learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder ensures she and her assistants complete regular safeguarding training in line with local guidelines. The childminder demonstrates a secure understanding of the signs that could indicate a child is at risk of harm. She understands how to share any such concerns to keep children safe. This includes what to do if a child were in immediate danger. Her home presents as a safe and secure space, suitable for the care of young children.

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Due date

plan and deliver teaching that meets the current learning needs of children more precisely to build effectively and skilfully, over time, on what children know and can do 03/02/2025

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Due date

29 November 2023 focus professional development on improving understanding of an effective curriculum and role in supporting children's learning. 03/02/2025

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should:

n improve how toys and resources are presented so that children can better choose and focus on what they would like to do and can practise important developing skills more effectively n develop opportunities for children to learn about the diverse world in which they live n enhance the use of partnerships with parents to better support children's learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY292215 Local authority Milton Keynes Inspection number 10308161 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 10 Date of previous inspection 23 March 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2004 and lives in Loughton, Milton Keynes. She offers care from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year. She sometimes works with a registered assistant.

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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 her evaluation of the childminder. n The childminder spoke with the inspector about their intentions for children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children and evaluated the impact on children's learning. n Parents shared their views, and the inspector took these into account. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documents on request.

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Inspection activities

29 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

29 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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