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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

The childminder provides a good range of purposeful activities that children enjoy. Daily routines take place, such as regular opportunities for outdoor play and designated snack and mealtimes. This helps new children to settle and supports them to understand what is going to come next. Children have fun, and they behave well and demonstrate a positive attitude to their learning. For example, children eagerly explore what happens when they mix different-coloured paint together. They use paintbrushes to make marks on paper, and they enjoy immersing their hands in paint. Children tell the childminder they have 'colourful fingers'.

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The provision is good

The childminder develops children's sense of responsibility and independence. Children routinely help to tidy away the toys and show perseverance as they learn to put on their outdoor clothing. The childminder praises them for their achievements. The childminder supports children to develop their understanding of number, size and shape. Children count conkers, learn to differentiate between 'big' and 'small' and recognise shapes, such as a circle and a heart. The childminder provides opportunities for the children to play in her garden. Children demonstrate their developing physical skills as they climb the steps of the slide and throw the ball.

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need to do better?

n The childminder enjoys providing childcare and warmly welcomes children into her home. She carries out regular risk assessments of her home to keep children safe and completes required mandatory training. For example, she has a current paediatric first-aid certificate, and refreshes her child protection training. However, the childminder has not fully explored additional professional development opportunities to raise her existing good knowledge of child development to an even higher level. n The childminder is nurturing, which helps her to support children's emotional well-being. Children demonstrate that they are happy, safe and comfortable to explore. They are confident to ask the childminder for help and naturally seek reassurance and a cuddle if needed. 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

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need to do better?

children to monitor their progress and well-being. This supports the childminder to understand each child's personality, interests and learning needs. The childminder joins in the children's play. However, on occasions, in the childminder's eagerness, she asks children questions in quick succession and does not always give them time to think and respond. n The childminder teaches children rhymes and regularly shares storybooks with

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need to do better?

26 September 2024 them, talking about the illustrations on each page. Younger children are introduced to new vocabulary and animal sounds associated with their play. They pretend to roar like a dinosaur. Children visit the local library and look at books for enjoyment. Younger children are encouraged to feel the different- coloured fabric on each page, and older children correctly identify the picture of a stegosaurus. n The childminder builds on the children's curiosity when they observe a spider. She uses these opportunities to extend children's learning. For example, the childminder encourages children to count the spider's legs and supports them to understand how a spider spins a web. Children recall a song associated with a spider and proceed to sing the rhyme, 'Incy, Wincy Spider'. n The childminder places a strong emphasis on taking the children outside in the fresh air to explore and expand their knowledge of the world around them. For

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need to do better?

example, children visit the canal to view the canal boats. They learn that the water needs to rise and fall to enable the boat to move through the lock. The childminder takes children to the farm and the zoo. This enables the children to learn about animals and their habitats. Children also follow the fairy trail at the local woods and participate in nature hunts. n The childminder spends time talking to parents and getting to know children's care needs and stage of development before they attend. This helps to ease the transition from home to the childminder's care. The childminder shares her policies and procedures with parents and develops a good relationship with them. She regularly shares photos of the children participating in activities and provides ongoing updates on their care, development and progress.

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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 allow children enough time to think, problem-solve and respond to questions asked as they play n strengthen professional development further to identify more opportunities to increase knowledge and skills to raise the standard of the service provided to an even higher level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2680809 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10366559 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 Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2022. She lives in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. She operates from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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Inspection activities

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 viewed areas of the childminder's home used by the children and discussed the safety of the premises. n The inspector observed children taking part in activities with the childminder and assessed the impact on children's learning. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

26 September 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 September 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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