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 confident and demonstrate that they feel safe and secure in the childminder's care. Older children quickly engage with visiting adults, involving them in their play. Younger children observe this, and begin to engage with visitors, following the older children's lead. Children become independent and manage their own needs effectively. Younger children learn to put on their shoes for themselves and complete tasks without prompting. They fill up water buckets outside and transport these around without any help, following their own interests as they play.

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The provision is good

Children behave kindly towards one another and form meaningful friendships. They become fully aware of the routines and expectations that the childminder has in place. They know to go the stairs and sit and take their shoes off when they have finished playing outdoors, before they wash their hands and move on to the next activity. This strong understanding of what is expected helps to prepare them for moving on to school.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a strong knowledge of the children she cares for. She uses her knowledge of the children's home lives and interests to provide a warm and welcoming environment, where children thrive. The childminder builds up trusting relationships with both the children and their parents. This helps children to feel happy and settled in the childminder's care. n The childminder helps children to learn and acquire new information. She gently encourages them and corrects any misconceptions they may have. For instance, she talks to children about snails as they point to a picture and mistake the snail for a snake. This helps children to gain accurate information to build on their existing knowledge correctly. n Learning opportunities are relevant to the children who attend. The childminder plans carefully, considering the individual needs of the children and the different stages of development they are currently at. She works collaboratively with

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need to do better?

other childminders to provide a wide range of experiences and opportunities. This collaborative approach to working also helps to promote children's social skills and helps them to become familiar with a wider group of people. n Children show strong levels of focus and concentrate well at their chosen activities. The childminder follows their lead as they play. She provides explanations and introduces new and relevant language. For instance, she speaks about the swirls and lines the pasta shapes create in dough as the children play. n Children demonstrate that they understand the rules in place. They move up and down the steps in the garden carefully, with full supervision from the childminder. The childminder values their safety and supports them to walk

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need to do better?

25 June 2025 indoors instead of running. However, the childminder does not consistently support children to understand why the rules are in place. This does not promote their ability to assess risks for themselves. n The childminder holds natural and instinctive discussions with children as they play. She uses opportunities to check children's knowledge and understanding. However, on occasions she expects a response to her questions too quickly. This does not allow children time to consider the question and formulate a response and does not fully promote their ability to share their thoughts and knowledge with her in more detail. n The childminder is reflective and continues to develop her provision further. She tracks and monitors children's progress effectively to help her identify any gaps in children's learning. The childminder recognises the importance of working in partnership with parents. She shares ideas and resources with parents to help

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need to do better?

build on children's learning at home. She completes relevant training and considers the needs of the children she cares for when selecting professional courses to complete.

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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 Consistently support children to understand why the rules are in place to help them to manage risks independently n allow children time to process the questions being asked before expecting a response to support their communication and language development further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY431290 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10394445 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 4 Date of previous inspection 5 September 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2011 and lives in the Dunstable. She operates all year round from 8.15am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure it is safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their EYFS curriculum. n Children engaged with the inspector during the inspection. n The childminder and inspector discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact that this had on children's learning. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector read written feedback from parents and considered their views.

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Inspection activities

25 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

25 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

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