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 Outstanding

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The provision requires improvement

The childminder's curriculum follows themes that link to set topics that she repeats every year. The childminder then plans activities for children linked to these themes. Overall, this helps older children to learn about different topics, such as learning about themselves and naming and matching colours. However, the childminder does not construct a curriculum around what young babies need to learn first and foremost. As a result, their experiences are variable. The childminder can discuss past activities babies have taken part in. However, at other times, babies do not explore and take part in activities that promote their development and independent movement. Training is not effective in increasing the childminder's knowledge and understanding and has little positive impact upon the quality of her provision. The childminder understands about the importance of promoting children's communication and language development. She talks to children, asking

p.2

The provision requires improvement

questions and reading to them. The childminder repeats activities, and older children learn from each other. This helps them to embed new learning. At snack time, some children can name the colour of the bowl and cup they would like to use, showing their learning.

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The provision requires improvement

Children's behaviour is good. The childminder and her assistants remind children about sharing and taking turns, contributing towards their personal, social and emotional development. The childminder and her assistants are kind and considerate to children's feelings and emotional needs. Children show that they are settled and play together well under the childminder's direction.

p.2

need to do better?

n Suitable arrangements for safeguarding are now in place. However, the childminder has recently completed training following a recent, significant weakness in her knowledge. She has not reflected on this learning or fully embedded it in her practice. The childminder is still developing her awareness of the roles of local safeguarding partners should she need to raise concerns about children's safety and welfare. n The curriculum does not sufficiently focus on supporting young children's physical development. The childminder recognises that babies are still learning to walk and need to practise this aspect of their development. Despite this, the childminder and her assistant carry babies almost continuously, or they sit strapped into highchairs. As a result, the youngest children have very little opportunity to practise this essential stage of development. n The childminder does not know what information needs to be notified to Ofsted,

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need to do better?

demonstrating a lack of knowledge of the requirements. n Although there are weak aspects to the curriculum, children are making steady progress. The childminder identifies what they need to learn next and provides

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need to do better?

8 February 2024 some opportunities for children to achieve this learning. n The childminder finds out about children's home lives and experiences. She encourages children to learn about differences and similarities between themselves and others, such as through reading relevant stories. The childminder plans learning around different festivals and celebrations, which raises children's awareness further. n Children show that they are content and generally settled in the childminder's care. They seek comfort from the childminder and her assistants, showing their attachment to them. n The childminder understands the importance of following young children's routines for sleeping and eating. She talks to parents about how best to support children so they feel contented. The childminder supports parents when they decide to continue to breastfeed, showing her good relationships with parents and flexible approach.

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need to do better?

n Children play outdoors, where they benefit from fresh air. At mealtimes, they eat a healthy, balanced diet, and the childminder supervises them closely when they eat, to help keep them safe. n The childminder communicates effectively with parents and shares information and photographs with them so they find out what children are learning. The regular updates guide parents so they can support children's progress at home. n The childminder discusses how she meets babies' basic needs. However, she does not provide an ambitious curriculum that is well suited to their needs. The childminder has undertaken training but cannot identify how she has benefitted from this. There is little reflection upon how she will improve her provision for children. This shows that her ongoing professional development is currently ineffective.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

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

p.3

Due date

improve and embed knowledge of all aspects of safeguarding in line with local safeguarding partnership guidance 29/02/2024

p.3

Due date

8 February 2024 implement a curriculum that focuses on the prime areas of learning for babies, specifically encouraging the development of their physical skills 29/02/2024

p.3

Due date

increase knowledge and understanding of the information that needs to be notified to Ofsted. 29/02/2024

p.4

should:

n undertake relevant and beneficial professional development that has a positive impact upon practice.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY363252 Local authority Milton Keynes Inspection number 10331794 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 11 Date of previous inspection 20 November 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2007 and lives in Kents Hill, Milton Keynes. She operates all year round, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The childminder provides free funded early education for children aged two-, three- and four-years- old. The childminder works with an assistant each morning. The childminder holds a childcare qualification at degree level.

p.5

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 inspector discussed the intent of the curriculum and observed its implementation during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the childminder. Throughout the inspection, the inspector spoke with the childminder and children at suitable times. n The views of parents were obtained through written feedback.

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Inspection activities

8 February 2024 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

8 February 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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