Childminder in Luton

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. They have secure relationships with the childminder, enjoying her company and turning to her for comfort and reassurance whenever needed. Children respond to the childminder's calm, positive approach and are eager to participate in activities. For example, they listen intently to the explanation of a game to recognise opposites and take turns to identify the correct picture cards. They persevere when faced with the more difficult cards, talking their answers through and working out the correct ones. Daily opportunities, such as this, aid children in developing the skills and attitudes that support them when they start school.

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The provision is good

The childminder is a good role model and children reflect her caring nature. They show a mature understanding of one another's needs. For instance, older children notice when younger ones are struggling to fasten their coats and offer help. Clear explanations support children in gaining a good knowledge of safety. For example, children play carefully with the sand and explain that this could hurt if it went in someone's eyes. Specific activities aid children in developing physical skills and understanding healthy lifestyles. For instance, children learn to control a ball as they kick it around cones. They feel their heartbeats and notice how these increase after exercise.

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need to do better?

n The experienced childminder remains enthusiastic about her work and is committed to making ongoing improvements. She completes further training, helping her to keep up to date with changes and develop her practice. For example, following recent training, the childminder now offers children further activities that encourage them to move in different ways, thereby supporting their physical development. n Children make good progress and are well prepared for the move to nursery or school. The childminder uses her experience and formal documentation to aid her in monitoring children's development, checking that children do not fall behind in their learning. She observes children and understands what they are learning, going on to plan what they need to learn next. The childminder offers children a good range of activities, linking these to their interests so that they enjoy their play and learning. n The childminder supports children in developing an appreciation of books and

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need to do better?

reading. She ensures that children's interests, such as superheroes, are reflected in the book selection. Children also enjoy story bags containing books and props, often taking these to the park to look at during picnics. n The childminder makes good use of adult-led activities to challenge children further. For example, children learn positional language when the childminder

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need to do better?

24 March 2025 supports them in moving picture cards and describing their positions. Children later remember this, stating 'the word cards are underneath the pictures' when they put these back in the box. n Children regularly access community facilities, such as local parks, the zoo, a nearby farm and rhyme time at the library. This supports them in understanding their community and feeling part of this. Craft activities and books associated with national festivals aid children in building their knowledge of differences in the wider world. n The childminder understands the importance of promoting children's language and communication skills. She speaks clearly with children and supports them in learning and using new vocabulary. For example, children notice new growth on the plants in the garden. The childminder reminds them about previous discussions and children use words, such as 'spring' and 'new leaves'.

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need to do better?

n Children enjoy opportunities to express their creativity. For example, they use sticks to create patterns in the mud when out. However, these opportunities are not always consistent and children's creativity and ability to express their ideas and make wider choices regarding resources are not promoted to the optimum. n Parents praise the childminder, particularly noting how well she tailors activities to suit children and supports them in developing good social skills. The childminder communicates well with parents. She provides details of activities, enabling parents to build on these and extend 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 opportunities for children to express their ideas and creativity, for example, through accessing different resources and materials.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 104990 Local authority Luton Inspection number 10359747 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 3 Date of previous inspection 12 December 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1998 and lives in Luton. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder 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 indoors and outdoors 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 showed the inspector a range of relevant documentation. n The inspector talked with children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. She also looked at written comments from parents and considered their views.

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Inspection activities

24 March 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

24 March 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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