Childminder in Buckinghamshire

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 in the childminder's care. They arrive keen to attend and separate from their parents with ease. The childminder ensures that children are comfortable and that she meets their individual needs to promote a positive sense of well-being. For instance, she listens attentively to children's comments about their weekend and responds sensitively. She offers children a variety of activities and resources that suit their individual interests and eagerly joins in with their play. The environment is organised so that children can access toys and resources for themselves. The childminder encourages children to be self-assured and make decisions about their own activities. Children's independence skills are supported well.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy many opportunities to be physically active. The childminder places a significant emphasis on outdoor play. This helps support a positive attitude towards exercise and leading a healthy lifestyle. For example, children enjoy playing football and games on the local green and delight in river and pond dipping activities where native water creatures are discovered and learned about. Fine motor skills are promoted well, for example, through planned activities involving small sticks, pencils and scratch art activities. The childminder also provides nutritious meals each evening that include lots of healthy vegetables, which have often been grown with the children in the garden's vegetable patch.

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need to do better?

n The experienced childminder has a good understanding of the skills children need before they start school. She is clear in her long-term vision to help prepare children for this next stage in their learning journey. She encourages children to use the toilet independently as soon as possible, wash their hands effectively at appropriate times and to tidy up when they have finished with toys and resources. n Children feel at home with the childminder and enjoy spending time with her. She has formed strong and trusting relationships with the children in her care. Children clearly feel at ease and confidently ask for anything that they would like and cannot see for themselves. They make their needs known, and they are listened to attentively. The childminder knows when to offer advice and support and when to step back and let children problem solve for themselves. Children's self-confidence and resilience are supported well.

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need to do better?

n The childminder knows the children in her care well. She gets to know them and their families before they start, to gain a good understanding of children's current knowledge and skills. This helps her to think about what the children need to learn and to be able to do next. However, at times, the childminder does not take these next steps for children's learning into account when she plans

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need to do better?

20 January 2025 activities. This does not fully support children to consistently build on their skills and optimise their progress. n Children behave well. The childminder is clear and consistent in her approach to expected behaviour choices within the setting. Children adhere to rules and respect them. When asked to help tidy up cars from the floor area, children do this happily. When crossing roads, children know to stop, hold hands and look carefully before crossing. n The childminder places a high value on developing children's communication and language skills. She supports correct pronunciation of words and sounds by repeating them back to young children, and she challenges children by offering new and ambitious word choices. For instance, when looking at pictures of native birds, she explains the differences between birds, using the words 'male' and 'female' alongside 'girl' and 'boy'. n Children gain a wealth of knowledge about the world around them under the

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need to do better?

childminder's care. She enthrals children with her knowledge of plants and animals. Her passion for this is obviously infectious, as the children enjoy sharing their knowledge with their teacher at the local forestry school. n Parents are very happy with the care that the childminder provides. The childminder keeps them well informed about their children's activities and progress and appreciate the high emphasis placed on outdoor learning. n The childminder has a network of other childminders who she has professional discussions with. This helps her to exchange knowledge and skills and reflect on her own practice. The childminder ensures that any assistants who occasionally work with her are kept up to date with relevant information and that all training is in place.

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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 refine activity planning to focus more precisely on building on children's existing knowledge and skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY472180 Local authority Buckinghamshire Inspection number 10372075 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 11 Date of previous inspection 1 April 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2014. She lives in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. Her husband acts as an assistant on occasion if needed. She offers childcare each weekday, between the hours of 7.30am and 6.30pm, all year round.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of education provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures that they are safe and suitable for children. n The inspector observed a planned, adult-led activity and provided feedback to the childminder. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n Parents shared their views on the setting with the inspector through verbal and written feedback.

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Inspection activities

20 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

20 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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