Gardner Elaine Margaret

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

Children enjoy their time with the childminder. Her experience as a childcarer and her obvious enjoyment of this work are evident in her interactions with children. They respond to her warm, enthusiastic nature, settling quickly and forming strong bonds with her. Children react to the childminder's clear expectations and reflect her enthusiasm and positive approach. For example, young children express their creativity as they mix paint colours on paper plates and explore these with their hands. They are proud of their finished work, choosing to repeat this and persevering as they pursue their self-set goal of completely covering the plates in paint.

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The provision is good

Children's behaviour is good. With the childminder's gentle support, they are building a practical understanding of emotions. For example, they refer to a relevant book, labelling the different emotions and looking at the effects these can have on others. Well-implemented procedures, such as daily teeth cleaning and washing hands before eating, promote children's health and help them gain a clear understanding of this. The childminder continuously assesses children's safety. She shares her knowledge with the children. For example, they visit nearby woods, where they make dens and assess how far they can safely climb trees.

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need to do better?

n Children make good progress and are well prepared for the move to school. The childminder observes children and uses her experience and written guidance to help her understand what they are learning. She uses this information to plan further activities and daily experiences that support children in taking the next developmental steps. The childminder monitors children's development, noting any weaker areas and offering further support so that children do not fall behind in their learning. n The childminder maintains a genuine enthusiasm for her work, continuously evaluating this and making improvements. She continues to develop her practice and makes sure she keeps up to date with changes. For example, she has regular professional discussions with other childminders, carefully reviewing any new information. n The childminder uses many ways to successfully promote children's speech and communication skills. For instance, she encourages children to name the facial

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need to do better?

features as they colour in pictures. Children remember these words when they later pick up a doll, naming the eyes, nose and hair. Young children thoroughly enjoy looking at picture cards. The childminder builds their confidence as they name simple illustrations. They then move on to more difficult ones and children beam with pride as they remember 'robots' and 'octopus'. n Children are developing a love of books and reading. Young children have

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need to do better?

4 November 2024 established firm favourites and eagerly sit with the childminder to look at these. They remember some of the key vocabulary and the childminder maintains their interest as she encourages them to explore the different textures within the illustrations. n The childminder skilfully builds on children's knowledge. For example, they choose a toy animal at home and then visit the zoo to find the real animal. They then find out as much as they can about the animal, such as its natural habitat, country of origin and diet. n Children have many opportunities that support them in developing their physical skills. For instance, they develop control of their smaller hand muscles as they play musical instruments and use tongs to pick up play food. n The childminder supports children well in building an understanding of other cultures and ways of life. Children enjoy craft activities linked to festivals, with

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need to do better?

older children sharing their knowledge of the history of these festivals. Children visit a local museum, where they learn about the history of their community and the wider world. n Parents speak highly of the childminder, noting the good progress their children make while with her. They particularly highlight the strong bonds children build with the childminder and the 'positive, happy environment'. The childminder communicates well with parents to give them practical information about their children's day with her. However, she does not always fully support parents in building on their children's learning 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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should:

n extend the support offered to parents to build on children's learning at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 219793 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10367808 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 26 February 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1993 and lives in Dunstable. She operates all year round, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education places for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure these are safe and suitable. n The inspector observed activities and assessed the impact these have on children's learning. She talked with the childminder about how the early years provision is organised. n The childminder and inspector reviewed an activity together. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector talked with children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. She also looked at written feedback from parents and considered their views.

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Inspection activities

4 November 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

4 November 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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