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

The childminder provides a warm, welcome and homely atmosphere for the children. They form strong bonds with her. This means children are settled, comfortable and ready to learn. The childminder helps children to develop positive attitudes to learning. She encourages them to 'have a go' at personal care tasks and trying new things. The childminder praises them for their efforts frequently. Young children try to put their shoes on themselves, in the best way they know how. Older children successfully use the toilet and follow the routine to wash their hands. The childminder encourages children to try new types of food and includes younger children in tasks. For example, they take turns to move their water bottles from the shelf and bring them to the table, ready for lunch. This helps children to become highly independent.

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The provision is good

Children are keen to explore the learning environment. They confidently make choices about what they want to play, inside and out. Older children ask politely for their favourite activities and wait patiently for the childminder to find the resources. The childminder provides a range of mark-making materials for children to use and explore. Young children make large circular motions on the paper with felt tip pens and crayons. Older children talk excitedly about their picture. This helps children to practise early literacy skills and express their imaginative thoughts.

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need to do better?

n The childminder's curriculum focuses on giving children real-life experiences and building their independence and confidence. She includes children in preparing the table for meals, cooking and tidying. The childminder takes children to local parks and cafés in the local area. These experiences help children learn about their local community effectively. n The childminder helps children to learn a range of mathematical concepts well. Young children can confidently count to three. Children fill and pour water into buckets and watering cans. The childminder names shapes and colours as children arrange blocks to their liking. n Children enjoy outdoor play. The childminder encourages older children to operate the bubble machine by pressing the correct buttons. Children excitedly run after bubbles floating in the wind. The childminder encourages children to pop them. Young children try clapping and poking the bubbles, laughing with

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need to do better?

delight. This helps children to develop their eye-hand coordination in a fun way. n Relationships with parents are very strong and built on trust. The childminder and parents share information about the children, including what they are learning at the setting and home. The parents and childminder work together to gather information for a progress check at two years with health visitors, to obtain a full and accurate assessment of children's development. Parents report

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need to do better?

24 June 2025 they notice their children learning new skills, such as feeding themselves with spoons. n The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to developing her own skills and knowledge further. She attends courses and webinars to keep her knowledge current. The childminder networks with other childminders and seeks guidance from the local advisers. This helps to develop her practice to benefit the children. n The childminder talks to children continuously during their play. She describes what they are doing and helps older children to recall their past experiences. For example, she names facial features, such as their nose, and waits while children find their own. This helps them to develop their listening and speaking skills effectively. However, she does not always include a rich range of vocabulary for children to hear and learn to help extend their language skills to the highest levels. n The childminder knows the children well. She uses guidance to assess their

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need to do better?

learning and to build on what children already know and can do. She provides interesting and stimulating experiences for the children. The range of activities means she provides children with opportunities to develop across all areas of learning. However, at times she does not focus sharply on children's learning during planned activities to help them make excellent progress in their learning.

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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 develop the range of language and words to further support children's growing vocabulary n use assessment more effectively to target children's learning more sharply, so they make even better progress in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY544430 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10394543 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory 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 11 September 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Sandy. She operates all year round from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided indoors and during a walk, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The childminder and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a planned activity. n The inspector read several parents' testimonials, spoke to parents during the inspection and considered their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of household members. n The inspector interacted with the children.

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Inspection activities

24 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

24 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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