Childminder in Bedford

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder provides an inspiring setting that gives children rich experiences to help them be ready for the next stage of their education. Children are confident in the childminder's home and demonstrate care for their friends. The childminder intuitively meets children's needs superbly throughout the day. She has high expectations of children's behaviour. She helps children to understand about sharing and taking turns from an early age.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder provides an exciting range of inspiring activities, which actively supports children's curiosity and encourages purposeful learning. She uses expression in her language, which further enhances children's enjoyment as they play. For example, children wait with anticipation to hear that the three little pigs have called and need help to deter the big, bad wolf. The childminder explains that the pigs need to hire an architect and a builder to build a sturdy house, discussing the roles of these occupations to broaden children's knowledge. She successfully builds on their interest of the story, encouraging them to use materials to draw a house. The childminder helps younger children role play and build with blocks. Children remember that they need to build three bedrooms for the three pigs. This helps children to experience a very broad range of mathematical concepts in a meaningful and engaging way.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder helps children to develop highly advanced social skills. Together, they learn to work as a team and value each other's choices. For example, children have the opportunity to match musical instruments to the sound of actions from a storybook. The children decide that shaking a maraca is the sound of the long wavy grass. They then retell the story, taking turns to add the musical effects. This helps children to understand rhythm of language.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is highly trained and knowledgeable about child development. She ensures that her assistants are too. The extremely ambitious curriculum is deeply embedded into practice, with a sharp focus on children's experiences tailored to their needs. Over time, this helps to build on what children already know and can do. n The childminder targets and attends training with her assistants, according to children's needs, to enhance their already outstanding practice. This helps to challenge and support children's learning further. For example, after attending a course, they clap the syllables in children's names to immerse them in early pre- reading skills. The childminder challenges older children by asking them to predict how many syllables there are in visitors' names. n Every activity is thoughtfully planned. The childminder places items in a song

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need to do better?

29 August 2024 box that relate to children's next steps in learning. They sing songs about body parts to target younger children's learning, and counting to target older children's abilities. This group time deeply engages children of all ages, helping them to make excellent progress in their learning. n The childminder provides a rich set of experiences for children that promote an understanding of, and respect for, the environment, people and communities beyond their own. They take walks in nature daily in the local area. The childminder helps children to learn to appreciate and respect the outdoor ecosystems. They venture further afield to experience the community and cultures. For instance, they visit religious buildings in the local town and take the bus to the local library. n Children develop their communication skills exceptionally well. The childminder uses a carefully curated, extensive vocabulary for children to hear. They

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need to do better?

welcome children and ask them to 'independently remove their shoes'. New terminology is embedded in activities as they try to identify different types of grass such as 'Timothy' and 'Common couch'. n The childminder helps children to become independent thinkers. She asks questions that encourage children to think creatively and critically. For example, when children want to find out more about butterflies, the childminder asks how they can do this. Children answer the 'internet' and the 'library'. The childminder then expertly helps children to recall previous learning and experiences. They plan which number bus they will take to the library and on which day they will go. n The childminder works exceptionally well with other professionals to ensure that children receive the support they need. She actively contacts other settings and schools that children attend to share important information that benefits the

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need to do better?

children. She provides guidance for children who need additional support for delays in development. As a result, children are catching up quickly to their peers. n Partnership with parents is outstanding. The childminder gets to know the children's families and uses this information about their home lives to complement their learning and experiences at the setting. Parents value the childminder's expertise and actively ask for guidance. The childminder supports parents to help their children learn by ensuring they have clear, detailed suggestions of activities to do with their children at home.

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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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Setting details

Unique reference number EY538233 Local authority Bedford Inspection number 10351875 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 18 Number of children on roll 21 Date of previous inspection 29 October 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016 and lives in Great Denham. She operates all year round, from 7am to 5.30pm Monday to Thursday and from 7am to 1.30pm Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 5. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The childminder employs assistants, working with a maximum of two at any one time. One assistant holds a qualification at level 6.

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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 provision. n The childminder talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector talked to the childminder and her assistant at appropriate times during the inspection and considered their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors, outdoors and on a nature walk, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The childminder and the inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity. n The inspector spoke to a small number of parents and read written testimonials. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of household members.

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Inspection activities

n Children talked and played with the inspector during the inspection.

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Inspection activities

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

29 August 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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