Childminder in Milton Keynes

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

p.1

The provision is good

The childminder ensures her home is a safe and welcoming space for all children. She forms an effective team with her co-childminder. They work together to ensure children get plenty of smiles, cuddles and encouragement as they go about their day. Children respond by confidently cooperating with routines, greeting their friends as they arrive, and choosing what they would like to do. Children show that, in this positive and happy environment, they enjoy playing and learning together. They receive consistent messages about acceptable behaviour and, overall, behave typically for their age.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder looks after many children who speak English as an additional language. She puts children's language development at the heart of her curriculum. She clearly models words and phrases as children play. For example, she describes the features of toy vehicles as children play. When children use single words to describe what they see she adds additional descriptive words to extend their vocabulary. She incorporates lots of singing and stories into children's daily routines. The impact of this strong support for children's speaking and listening skills is seen in the confidence children gain to express their needs and opinions.

p.2

need to do better?

n Alongside the focus on children's language development, the childminder also plans a wide range of experiences to broaden children's knowledge and develop their skills. For example, she uses routines to encourage independence and outdoor play to teach children how to climb safely and manoeuvre sit-on toys. She also ensures children have regular opportunities to play imaginatively and explore malleable materials. This helps ensure children have plenty of opportunities to build on existing skills and learn new things. n Children take part in an appropriate mix of self-chosen play and more adult- focused activities. They especially look forward to times when they all come together to learn. This is because the childminder puts a lot of thought into how these times will be organised, focusing on helping children listen, join in and learn. Children learn well at these times about the world around them, and

p.2

need to do better?

words to stories and songs. They also learn skills that will be useful for later learning, such as how to sit and listen well and to take turns in conversations. n The childminder has plenty of space available for childminding and uses different parts of her home at different times of the day. However, she does not always fully consider how best to use this space to ensure children are able to focus well on their learning and play. For example, the space she encourages children to use to explore toy vehicles is too small for them to avoid unintentionally interfering in each other's play. This impacts on children's enjoyment and ability to use the resources in meaningful ways.

p.2

need to do better?

22 July 2024 n The childminder values the different life experiences children bring with them. She finds out about special days they celebrate and how they live at home. The childminder then ensures children see themselves reflected back in the resources she provides and the activities she plans. This helps children understand what makes them valued and unique. n The childminder keeps a watchful eye on all children's behaviour and quickly intervenes when needed to ensure children are safe. She does so calmly, focusing on defusing situations. However, the childminder is not using these, or other opportunities, to teach children what they need to know in order to be better able to manage their own emotions and behaviours. This means that the need for the childminder to intervene persists. n The childminder is committed to improving her skills. She has completed an early years qualification and used what she learned well to plan a curriculum

p.2

need to do better?

that is closely matched to children's needs. She successfully engages parents in their children's learning. For example, she shares details of what children have done and learned. She sends links to parents with suggestions for activities they could do at home, to further enhance children's learning.

p.3

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

should:

n improve the learning environment, to better enable children to explore and focus during periods of self-chosen play and learning n provide children with more opportunities to develop the skills and language they need to begin to regulate their own behaviour.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY540503 Local authority Milton Keynes Inspection number 10351191 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection 12 October 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016. She lives in Kents Hill, Milton Keynes and works reguarly with a co- childminder. The childminder offers care Monday to Friday, from 7am until 7pm, for most of the year. She also offers occassional care on Saturdays, and overnight. The childminder offers funded early education for children aged two, three and four years.

p.4

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 her evaluation of the childminder. n The childminder spoke with the inspector about their intentions for children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children and evaluated the impact on children's learning. n Parents shared their views and the inspector took these into account. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

p.4

Inspection activities

22 July 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

22 July 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6