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 Good

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The provision is good

Children are happy and settled and enjoy their time in this welcoming, nurturing environment. The childminder's sensitivity in understanding each child enables her to offer them well-tailored support and activities. Children respond to the childminder's naturally calm, positive nature. They are confident and independent, competently using their exploratory skills as they play. For example, children playing with a magnetic construction set work out how to put the pieces the right way so that the magnets attract and join. They concentrate as they build models, quietly persevering and trying a different way when they do not succeed.

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The provision is good

Children reflect the childminder's sensitive, caring approach and show genuine care and concern and an awareness of their own and other people's feelings. They demonstrate a mature understanding as they happily share resources and resolve minor disputes. Robust daily safety procedures and ongoing discussions support children in gaining a good knowledge of safety. For instance, children assess grass slopes when out walking, deciding which are too steep and which they can safely climb. Children have many opportunities that support their health and physical development. For instance, they develop control and coordination as they jump, dance, tiptoe and crawl during action rhymes.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is enthusiastic and has a genuine interest in doing all she can to promote children's well-being and development. She reviews her work regularly and makes improvements, such as changes to the use of the play areas. The childminder reads childcare literature, helping her to develop her practice and ensure that she is up to date with changes. n The childminder is clear about the intention of her curriculum and of the activities she offers children. She understands each child's progress and knows what she can do to build on this. The childminder offers children a broad range of play opportunities that are linked to their interests and support them in making good progress. She uses her experience to monitor children's development and take action to ensure that no child falls behind in their learning. n Children demonstrate a love of books. They have firm favourites and become engrossed as they remember the words and help to re-tell the stories. They use

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need to do better?

reference books, for example, to discover information about insects they have seen while out walking. n The childminder understands the importance of helping children to develop their speech and communication skills. She responds to younger children's verbal and non-verbal communication, talking with them about what is happening. The childminder introduces new vocabulary and makes sure that children understand

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need to do better?

14 January 2025 this. For example, children learn the word 'leek' and pretend to chop a toy leek. They go on to remember 'green leek' when they later discover this toy again. n Children have daily opportunities to develop the skills that support them when they start school. For instance, children enjoy a group activity with coloured scarves. They listen carefully to the instructions and competently follow these, for example, as they put the scarves on their heads, elbows and nose. They listen to a musical countdown, using their fingers as they count down from five to one. n Ongoing discussions and specific activities help children to develop a practical understanding of differences. For example, children draw illustrations of themselves on small mirrors and whiteboards. They compare the features, such as hair colour. They go on to talk about favourite foods and show great respect for each other's choices.

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need to do better?

n Children have some opportunities to view written letters and words. For example, indoors in books and on posters. However, this is not consistent in all areas and their interest in letters and words is not always fully promoted. n Parents speak highly of the childminder and particularly note the benefits to children of the many outdoor activities. They also highlight the progress their children make in developing their language and communication skills. The childminder communicates well with parents. She shares information about activities, enabling parents to build on these 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 enhance the opportunities that support children in extending their interest in written letters and words in all areas of the setting.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY544861 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10368094 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 19 Date of previous inspection 7 March 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Shillington. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. She provides government funded early years education for all eligible 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 discussed and reviewed activities. 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 reviewed written and verbal feedback from parents and considered their views.

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Inspection activities

14 January 2025 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

14 January 2025 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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