Childminder in Central Bedfordshire

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in the childminder's care. They are well settled and show that they have a strong bond with the childminder built on trust and mutual respect. The childminder takes time to get to know children. She invites them to the groups she attends so she can spend time with the children before they come into her home. This helps children to feel safe and secure and be confident with her. Children show strong attachments to the childminder, who has a deep knowledge of all who attend. Children show remarkable resilience and regularly challenge themselves with tasks that they find difficult such as a peg matching game. When they find it difficult to open the pegs, the childminder reassures them that they can achieve and as a result, they persevere for long periods of time.

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The provision is outstanding

Children show high levels of empathy for each other. The childminder skilfully models a positive and kind-hearted approach as she teaches them about being thoughtful and kind, and to appreciate their friends. Children behave exceptionally well. The childminder supports children to manage conflicts with others through peaceful negotiation. She sensitively considers children's age and level of understanding when small disputes occur. The consistently applied expectations help children to share how they feel with others and find appropriate solutions to the problem.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has designed a clear and concise curriculum that supports children to develop essential skills and knowledge for a successful future. The curriculum is well sequenced and takes into account the ages and stages of all children. Children are supported to become positive and motivated learners. The childminder is dedicated to ensuring that all children have the same opportunities to make exceptional progress, regardless of their starting points. The childminder has an excellent knowledge of how to adapt activities to ensure children receive the right level of challenge. n The childminder significantly enhances older children's love of stories. For example, the children choose challenging books to read as a group as they share breakfast. They talk joyfully about the previous books they have read and what they are going to read next. The childminder describes the wider vocabulary this exposes the children to, which builds on their language development. Young

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need to do better?

children look at information books alongside activities. For example, they explore a book about the human body as they talk about healthy and unhealthy food. This extends children's knowledge even further as they discuss the different food groups and how often they should be eaten. n Parent partnerships are incredibly strong. Parents overwhelmingly praise the attentive and caring approach of the childminder. The childminder involves

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need to do better?

5 June 2025 parents at every step of their child's learning journey. She regularly communicates with children's parents and encourages them to share their views and opinions about her service. The childminder is confident in signposting parents for any additional support they may need. n Children demonstrate extremely high levels of independence. The childminder prioritises teaching children the self-care they need to become independent. Young children readily try to put their own shoes and coats on. The childminder shows children how to do something and then gives children plenty of opportunities to try and refine skills. Children voice their needs effectively. The childminder responds promptly to ensure that the children are supported to be highly independent. n The childminder provides superb opportunities for children to learn about the wider world and develop their confidence in new situations. She extends the

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need to do better?

curriculum with a wide range of fascinating and purposeful outings. The childminder carefully chooses the groups she attends to ensure they provide children with a new experience which they may not otherwise get. For example, they attend a local forest school programme where children gain safety skills and learn how to look after the environment. This helps to teach them about the world around them. n The childminder has many years of experience, which helps her to identify continuous patterns in children's development and organise her own professional development in response. For instance, she attended a course to support children's well-being and mental health. The childminder has embedded this within her practice and children's well-being is held in the highest regard.

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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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Setting details

Unique reference number EY433230 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10388616 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 13 Date of previous inspection 19 July 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2011 and lives in Lidlington, Bedford. She operates all year round, from 7.30am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. She provides government funded early education for all eligible children

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Inspection activities

n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all the areas of the setting and discussed their curriculum and what they want children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning. n The inspector looked at reviews from the parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection and gave their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of suitability of the childminder.

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Inspection activities

5 June 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

5 June 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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