Childminder in Central Bedfordshire

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder is passionate about her role. She creates a curriculum which is well-designed and child centred. Children make outstanding progress in the aspirational environment the childminder creates. Through thorough settling-in processes, including meeting parents for walks in the woods, relationships between the childminder and children form from the very beginning. When visitors arrive, children actively seek the childminder out. This demonstrates they feel safe and secure in her care.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder ensures all activities are accessible to all children, meeting their individual needs exceptionally well. For example, when out in the woods, the childminder creates jars of scavenger findings for babies to look at more closely without worry of harm. All children make outstanding progress in their learning while attending the childminder's setting.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder is enthusiastic in everything she does, which ignites children's passion for learning. While reading stories, the childminder changes her voice and tone. This keeps children interested and brings the story to life for them. The childminder talks to children about the book they are reading. Children's faces light up as the childminder compares the animals in the story to those that they see at the farm. She reminds children how they fed the goats and stroked the rabbits.

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need to do better?

n The childminder uses her impressive knowledge of child development to support language development. The childminder is aware of the impact of dummies for children and supports parents with change. This encourages early talking. As children talk to the childminder, she simply repeats phrases back to children. This allows them to hear the correct pronunciation, therefore strengthening speech and understanding. The childminder gives children time to talk, waiting patiently as they think about what they are saying and giving importance to what they have said. As a result, children make outstanding progress in their communication and language development. n Outdoor learning is at the heart of the childminder's setting. All children attend the setting ready to go out into the woods and explore using puddle suits and wellies. At the local woods, children learn all about the world around them. They use magnifying glasses to hunt through moss. They find tiny bugs and use their

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need to do better?

hands to explore the textures. The childminder takes time to talk to children about the importance of looking after nature, not pulling up things from the ground or harming animals. Children carry around bags of bird seed and monkey nuts to feed the birds and squirrels. Children learn about animal habitats and foods they might enjoy.

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need to do better?

28 February 2024 n The childminder is conscious of safety. She teaches children how to remain safe when outside of her home. At the woods, children learn to safely look out on the lake, standing tall and focusing on what they can see out in front of them. When at the farm, the childminder teaches the children to always remain close to her, ensuring they can always see her. n Children make rapid progress in their physical development as they freely explore soft play and outside climbing environments. The childminder encourages children to take risks, learning and developing new skills. At the setting, children squish and squeeze playdough. They manipulate it, strengthening their finger muscles. When baking, children use large movements to stir the ingredients together, developing their shoulder muscles. All of this gets children ready for mark-making and letter formation. n The childminder is conscious of school readiness and encourages independence

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need to do better?

from a young age. Children take their own shoes and coats off when they arrive at the setting. At snack time, the childminder starts the peeling of satsumas so children can continue this independently. Children excitedly show the childminder their achievements. This develops children's self-esteem. n Parents highly commend the childminder in all she does. They talk of her passionate, caring and kind nature. Parents comment on the outstanding input the childminder has had in their children's development. One parent describes her child's time at the setting as 'the best four years of her little life so far'.

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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.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY486980 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10280674 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 3 Date of previous inspection 12 September 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015. She lives in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. She operates from 8am till 5pm Monday to Wednesday, term time only. She holds a qualification at level 3 and 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 provider 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 the evaluations of the provider. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all the areas of the setting and discussed their curriculum and what they want children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning. n The inspector looked at reviews from the parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of suitability of the childminder.

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Inspection activities

28 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

28 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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