Lowe, Kirsty Marie

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

Children are well settled and confident to explore. The childminder provides tailored settling-in sessions to take time to get to know children and their families. This helps her understand children's home routines so she can adapt and plan to meet their individual needs from the start. Children show that they feel safe and secure in her care. They smile and engage with the childminder. They repeat words that she says and show familiarity with the daily routine. The childminder ensures that young children's care needs are promptly and sensitively met.

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The provision is good

From an early age, children learn about equality in play. The childminder teaches children to share and take turns. Children show through their actions and their play that they are learning about the concept of sharing. The childminder shows respect towards children. She consistently seeks children's consent before changing nappies and wiping their noses and gives children plenty of time to eat snacks and meals to their satisfaction. Children thrive in the positive environment the childminder creates. They learn how to behave well and receive lots of praise and encouragement. This helps children to build good levels of self-esteem.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has children's interests at heart. She is a reflective practitioner who is constantly assessing her provision to ensure that she provides a safe environment and that she meets the needs of each child. n The childminder, as part of her curriculum, seeks to provide a broad range of experiences to children, including regular outings and opportunities to explore the natural world. Following visits to a farm, children remember that cows were in the meadow. Children know the sounds that different farm animals make, and younger children are confident to repeat words. n The childminder has a strong focus to support children's communication and language skills. She describes children's actions and introduces new words as they play. The childminder sings songs and reads books to further develop interactions with children. She uses a variety of ways to help children build their understanding of new words and ideas. For example, when children pick up a

p.2

need to do better?

toy fried egg in the toy kitchen, the word 'slimy' is used to describe it. The childminder builds on the idea of 'slimy' through hands-on sensory play with jelly water in farm-themed activities that also follow children's interests. n Parents are positive about the childminder. They say that they feel their children are safe in her care and that they feel well-informed about their child's day and the progress they make in learning. Parents say that their children enjoy the varied menu that the childminder provides to encourage their children to try new tastes and foods. n The childminder ensures that statutory training is kept updated. She ensures

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need to do better?

26 March 2025 that any assistants receive training about safeguarding children and child protection. The childminder has plans in place to ensure that both she and any assistants working with her complete and keep paediatric first aid training updated. n The childminder knows children well and plans effectively to support children's ongoing learning. However, sometimes, the childminder asks children questions that test their knowledge in rapid succession. She does not always give children the opportunity to do things for themselves. This includes opportunities for children to put on their shoes to play outside or build their problem-solving skills for day-to-day situations, such as what to do should they feel hot or cold. The childminder acknowledges that her knowledge of child development is something she wishes to improve. However, she has not yet identified ways to develop her knowledge of child development further to inform and enhance her

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need to do better?

teaching practice. n The childminder provides children with a varied menu of meals and snacks. She understands the benefits for children to try new foods and flavours. However, she does not fully implement food safety guidance. Fruit and vegetables offered for snack and included in the meal provided at lunchtime were not washed before being given to children to reduce the risk of children becoming unwell.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

should:

n focus professional development on gaining a deeper knowledge of child development and build teaching skills further n enhance knowledge of government published guidance for the preparation of food for young children.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2796559 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10395416 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2024 and lives in Biggleswade. She operates from 7.30am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides government funded early education to all eligible children. She works with an assistant.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their early years foundation stage curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The childminder and inspector discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact that this had on children's learning. n Parents provided written feedback to share their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

26 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

26 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

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