Childminder in Central Bedfordshire

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

The childminder does not always promote children's good health effectively. She does not supervise them consistently when eating or teach them about oral hygiene. Partnership working with other settings is limited. Nevertheless, children generally demonstrate good behaviour. The childminder talks to children about how they are feeling, encouraging them to share. She offers comfort, reassurance and distraction techniques to move them forward.

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The provision requires improvement

The childminder knows children well. She plans some learning opportunities that are based on children's interests and ideas. For example, children enjoy learning about dinosaurs as they explore the 'interest' tray and read books. Children confidently communicate with the childminder about what they like and dislike. Children are happy at the setting. The childminder provides settling-in sessions for children before they start and gathers useful information from parents. This means that children settle quickly. They feel safe and look to the childminder for comfort and reassurance. The childminder understands the importance of helping children to be ready for school. Children are gaining some of the key skills that support their future learning.

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need to do better?

n The childminder spends much of her time outdoors with the children. They visit various, interesting places, such as parks, zoos and museums. The childminder has conversations with children throughout a range of experiences, expanding their vocabulary and teaching them all about the world around them. Children have good language skills from a young age. n The childminder encourages children to tend to their personal care, such as washing their hands before lunch. However, she does not teach children enough about the importance of oral health. For example, the childminder does not talk to children about healthy eating and the impact that sugary treats can have on their teeth. She does not explain the importance of regular tooth brushing so that children understand how to keep their bodies healthy. n The childminder works with parents, sharing information about children's daily routines and what they have learned. She communicates both face-to-face and

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need to do better?

by sending them written updates. Parents report that children are happy at the setting and that they enjoy the range of activities that are available. n The childminder is aware that some children also attend other settings. However, the childminder does not work in partnership with other professionals, and she is unclear about what children are learning outside of her care. Therefore, children do not benefit from continuity in their care and learning to ensure that they make the best possible progress. n Children are independent, and they develop strong physical skills from their

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need to do better?

5 February 2024 experiences outdoors. Children confidently climb, carry and build with large equipment. They ride scooters and push-along cars and demonstrate good balance and strength as they climb steep ramps. n The childminder provides a range of foods for children at mealtimes and encourages them to sit at the table. However, when children are eating, she does not consistently supervise them. This means that children's good health is not promoted effectively. n Children have a good understanding of simple mathematical language, and they continue to develop their mathematical knowledge. For example, when walking to the park, children learn about the numbers they can see on the road signs. When getting ready for snack, children notice there are not enough chairs for everybody and identify how many more chairs they need. n Children enjoy listening to stories and choosing their favourite books. They join

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need to do better?

in, turning the pages and confidently point to the dinosaurs as the childminder names them. This helps children to develop their early reading skills.

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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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Due date

promote children's good health and ensure that they are consistently supervised when eating 04/03/2024

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Due date

ensure that information about children's learning and progress is shared with other settings where children attend to provide continuity in their care and learning. 04/03/2024

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should:

n find successful ways to teach children about oral hygiene to help them understand how this contributes to their good health.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY473754 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10316860 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 6 Date of previous inspection 23 May 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2014 and lives in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. She operates all year round, from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder 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 childminder. n The childminder joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about her curriculum and what she wants the children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the childminder. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children.

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Inspection activities

5 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

5 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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