Childminder in Bedford

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 works alongside her co-childminder and together they plan a welcoming environment for children. The childminder focuses on providing children with a safe space where they can develop strong friendships and grow in confidence. She is passionate about progressing children's personal, social and emotional skills. Therefore, children develop a strong foundation for future learning.

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The provision is good

The childminder understands the importance of getting to know children before they begin at the setting. She provides all families with settling-in visits and ensures she gathers enough information to meet children's needs and support them into the setting. This provides children and parents with reassurance and a high quality of care from the very beginning. The childminder regularly shares information with parents, supporting children's learning at home and promoting consistency.

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The provision is good

The childminder knows children well and has high expectations for their behaviour. Parents say that the childminder treats children with patience, kindness and care, helping them to become more confident and outgoing. Children help their peers, communicate well and invite others to join their play. They develop good social skills to help them be respectful and compassionate towards others.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a good knowledge of child development and understands how to extend children's physical development well. For instance, she provides a range of mark-making activities, using different surfaces and tools to develop a range of gross motor movements and core strength. She extends this further by introducing mathematical knowledge about shapes and size. n The childminder provides opportunities for children to develop their communication and language skills. Children take part in weekly music sessions where they join in and learn new songs. The childminder models new vocabulary to children such as 'pop' and 'bubble'. She repeats words clearly for children to learn and therefore, children become confident talkers from a young age. n The childminder understands the importance of keeping children safe. She has a good knowledge of safer sleeping arrangements and ensures children are safe

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need to do better?

during their nap time. She checks on children regularly and provides a safe space for children to rest, which promotes good health and safety. n The childminder provides some basic opportunities for children to begin to develop their own independence. Older children wash their own hands and choose their own activities throughout the day. However, the childminder does not extend this enough to fully support children's independence in preparation

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need to do better?

26 June 2024 for school. For example, she feeds toddlers herself and does not always teach children how to do things for themselves. n The childminder teaches children about a range of festivals and events throughout the year, helping them to understand about different cultures and religions. She provides regular outings in the local community where children meet new people and this sparks conversations about different disabilities and families. The childminder uses these opportunities to teach children. Therefore, children become accepting and respectful of everyone around them. n The childminder provides children with electronic devices to access a range of games and find out new information. She ensures children's safety by supervising closely and puts security measures in place. However, she does not teach children about how to keep themselves safe online. n The childminder is passionate about keeping her knowledge and skills up to

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need to do better?

date. She attends many training opportunities and thoroughly enjoys learning new information. She chooses opportunities that are relevant to the children who attend the setting and implements new ideas to support their development. For example, the childminder recently attended training about children's communication and language development to support those who speak English as an additional language even further.

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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 strengthen opportunities for children to further develop their independence and do things for themselves n extend children's knowledge of online safety further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 259901 Local authority Bedford Inspection number 10351720 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 4 Date of previous inspection 10 October 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2001. She provides care from her daughter's home, who is her co-childminder, in Bedford. The childminder operates all year round from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a recognised childcare 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 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 and her co-childminder joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their 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 observed the interactions between the childminder and children. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the childminder.

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Inspection activities

26 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

26 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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