Childminder in Bedford

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder provides an extremely welcoming environment for the children in her care. She treats all children as unique individuals and is highly responsive to their care and learning needs. The childminder skilfully asks the children a wide range of questions. This is highly effective in arousing the children's curiosity and encourages them to think and respond to the questions asked. For example, children eagerly search for hidden toy arctic animals in the pretend polystyrene snow and are actively encouraged by the childminder to experiment to see what happens when water is added. Children touch the pretend snow confidently, using vocabulary such as 'sticky' and 'squishy' to describe how it feels. Older children are able to describe how a snowflake is formed.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder demonstrates a very good knowledge of child development. She understands the importance of providing young children with a wide range of experiences to develop their hand-eye coordination and pincer grip skills in readiness for writing. Children show precision and concentration as they carefully pick up colourful pom-poms before placing them very precisely on designated circle shapes. The refining of these skills is extremely successful in supporting the children to hold and use the felt tip pens to draw recognisable pictures. Children show immense pride in their drawings and are actively encouraged by the childminder to describe their pictures. They confidently talk about their drawings, including the patterns they have made. Older children are encouraged by the childminder to practise writing the letters in their name and to read individual letters by saying their sounds.

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need to do better?

n The extremely dedicated childminder excels at putting the children at the heart of everything she does. She continuously strives to ensure that all children have the positive experience they deserve in their early years and that they receive high-quality care and education. The childminder constantly reflects on her practice, and since the last inspection, she has successfully developed the range of resources and activities available to children in her garden. n The childminder is highly successful in implementing her planned curriculum and demonstrates a very good knowledge of how children learn. She knows the children exceptionally well, and her interactions with them are of a high quality. She skilfully guides and supports children's learning as they play and have fun, placing a sharp focus on what children need to learn next. This is reflected very well in what the children know, remember and can do.

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need to do better?

n The childminder skilfully plans a wide range of very purposeful, stimulating activities and experiences. For example, children add natural materials to water and observe what happens to water when it freezes. They also have

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need to do better?

18 January 2024 opportunities to practise their scissor skills, to paint, to make clay models and to participate in baking and apple-bobbing activities during Halloween celebrations. The childminder also creates a sensory area for the children to project stars onto the ceiling and provides sensory objects for them to explore. n The childminder places high priority on developing children's language and communication skills, including developing their enjoyment of books. Children listen intently, demonstrating high levels of concentration. They eagerly answer the childminder's wide range of meaningful questions, confidently repeating familiar phrases, and they are introduced to a breadth of vocabulary associated to the story. Additionally, consistent back-and-forth conversations help all children to continue to develop their communication skills and growing knowledge. For example, a child's interest in a pretend igloo led to a discussion

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need to do better?

about how an igloo is made. n The childminder is highly successful in broadening the children's knowledge and understanding of the local community and world around them. For example, children have opportunities to listen to talks about the animals during visits to the zoo and farm. The childminder also supports children to show respect and acknowledge people who help us and the diversity of others. For example, children visit the local war memorial to view the poppies and learn about the role of a firefighter during visits to the local fire station. They make clay pots in celebration of Diwali, bake gingerbread people and create calendars for their families during Christmas festivities. n Parents are extremely complimentary about the care and learning opportunities provided for their children. They state that the childminder is very kind, nurturing and supportive. Parents also state that their children flourish because

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need to do better?

of the childminder's attentive care and that their children develop 'a true hunger for knowledge'. Additionally, the childminder frequently shares activity ideas and suggestions with parents, such as advice on potty training and the management of children's behaviour. n Throughout their time in the childminder's care, children consistently demonstrate high levels of confidence and independence. For example, children independently wash their hands before their lunch and know that they do this to remove germs. Children behave very well, develop good manners and are extremely motivated to join in the activities with their friends. They demonstrate that they feel very safe and secure.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY494919 Local authority Bedford Inspection number 10305264 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 5 Date of previous inspection 15 February 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Wootton, Bedfordshire. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, and from 7.30am until 4.30pm on a Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 setting. n The childminder showed the inspector the areas of her home that children access. They discussed how the childminder organises her setting and plans the curriculum and experiences for children. n The inspector observed children taking part in activities with the childminder and assessed the impact on children's learning. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector took account of the views of parents by speaking to them and from written feedback provided at the inspection.

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Inspection activities

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

18 January 2024 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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