Childminder in Central Bedfordshire

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

The childminder warmly welcomes children into her home and provides a range of meaningful learning experiences. Children show a positive attitude to their learning, and are supported to manage their behaviour. The childminder treats all children as unique individuals and successfully differentiates her teaching. This ensures all children, regardless of their age, are included in the activities provided. For example, younger children are encouraged to develop their hand-eye coordination and small-muscle skills as they use tools to scoop the different coloured rice into containers. Older children are encouraged to use the rice creatively. The confidently tell the childminder that they have made a 'rainbow', explaining that rainbows occur when it is 'raining and sunny'.

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The provision is good

The childminder provides activities which successfully promote the children's curiosity. Children eagerly use toy hammers to break ice to reveal hidden toy cars. This activity is also used to support children to understand that water, when frozen, turns to ice. Additionally, the childminder provides craft materials and tools, such as scissors for the children to make birthday cards. This provides children with opportunities to practise their cutting skills. Children show good levels of concentration as they carefully stick colourful sequins onto their cards. Older children accurately write numbers and letters on their envelopes. They read out their work to the childminder, showing her they understand the marks they have made.

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need to do better?

n The dedicated childminder places children at the centre of everything she does and is continually looking at ways to improve her practice. For example, recent training has supported the childminder to understand the importance of extending children's communication and language during pretend play and creative activities. Additionally, the childminder has attended training to enhance her already good knowledge of supporting bilingual children. n The childminder knows the children well and structures her curriculum to build on what children know and can already do. She makes observations of the children to monitor their progress and well-being. This successfully supports the childminder to understand each child's personality, interests and learning needs. The childminder joins in the children's play. However, on occasions she does not use planned activities and spontaneous opportunities to further extend the

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need to do better?

children's knowledge and skills. n The childminder is nurturing and develops strong attachments to the children. This helps her to support children's emotional well-being. Children demonstrate that they are happy, settled and feel safe. They are confident to ask the childminder for help and naturally seek reassurance from her if they are upset.

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need to do better?

18 June 2024 n The childminder actively supports children to develop their sense of responsibility and independence. Children independently put on their outdoor clothing before playing in the childminder's garden. They help the childminder to prepare for snack. Older children solve problem as they work out how many plates are required for the number of children present. n The childminder supports children's language and communication skills, including children who speak English as an additional language. She introduces new vocabulary, encourages children to sing rhymes and frequently reads stories to them. Children show an interest in the illustrations, answer questions and pretend to copy the actions of the different characters. For example, children rub their eyes and pretend to be asleep and make a sad face to mimic the character's expressions. Additionally, the childminder is able to use her own translation skills to further support children's understanding and use of English.

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need to do better?

n The childminder actively supports children to manage their behaviour and emotions. She encourages all children to share, take their turn and to play cooperatively together their friends. Additionally, children are reminded to use their manners, to say please and thank you. The childminder praises children for their achievements. This develops children's confidence and self-esteem. n The childminder visits the children's home and spends time getting to know the family, including children's care needs and stage of development before they attend. This successfully helps to ease the transition from home to the childminder',s care. Parents received daily updates about their child's day, including photos of them participating in activities. They speak very highly of the service the childminder provides. n The childminder provides children with an extensive range of experiences within the local community. For example, children participate in 'nature tots' sessions,

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need to do better?

where they learn how to use apples to make fresh apple juice and the importance of not throwing rubbish onto the ground or the beach. Additionally, children use natural materials to make stick people. They balance on logs and re-enact familiar stories. Children's social skills are further enhanced during visits to toddler groups and local elderly person's homes.

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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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should:

n use every opportunity to extend children's learning during planned and spontaneous play activities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY475570 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10354428 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 9 November 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2014 and lives in Shefford, Bedfordshire. She operates all year round, from 7.30am 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 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 spoke to the inspector during the inspection. They told the inspector about the activities they were enjoying. n A sample of the childminder's documents were reviewed by the inspector. n The inspector took account of the views of parents from written feedback provided at the inspection.

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Inspection activities

18 June 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

18 June 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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