Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 24 March 2015 25 February 2009

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is good

 The childminder provides children with a welcoming, family environment where they safely learn through play. They are happy and settled and share warm, trusting relationships with the childminder and each other. Consequently, their emotional well- being is effectively promoted.  The childminder teaches children about the world around them as they observe caterpillars turning into butterflies and look for the early signs of spring in the hedges. She also teaches children the importance of caring for the environment by being careful where they walk and not dropping litter. This means that children develop a sense of respect and responsibility towards the natural world.  The childminder takes the children to group activities where they have the opportunity to develop their confidence and independence within a larger group of children. This prepares them well for the move to pre-school and school.  Partnerships with parents are good. The childminder uses a range of communication

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This provision is good

methods, such as, verbal feedback, newsletters and electronic means, to inform parents what the children have been doing. This means that parents are kept up to date with details about their children's activities.  The childminder has a good knowledge of how to ensure that children are kept safe from harm and abuse and is aware of the signs and symptoms to look out for.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not always provide opportunities for children to extend their thinking and problem-solving skills to the maximum.  The childminder does not consistently obtain precise information from parents with regard to what children already know and can do when they start attending her setting.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 extend the opportunities for children to think about solving problems, sharing their ideas and finding different ways of doing things, for example by using effective and probing questions  request more precise initial information from parents regarding children's starting points in each area of learning, in order to further enrich the planning process.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the childminder's home.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records, planning documentation, evidence of suitability of household members, and a range of other documentation, including the safeguarding procedures.  The inspector took account of the views of parents, as recorded in written questionnaires and reference letters.  The inspector reviewed an activity with the childminder.  The inspector reviewed the childminder's self-evaluation form.

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who attend. This is good

The childminder has a good understanding of how to support children's play and learning as they engage in activities. She uses teaching techniques, such as, demonstrating, explaining and questioning, to encourage children to talk about what they are doing and learning. For example, when children are taking part in a painting activity, the childminder shows them what to do to make patterns with marbles and she talks to them about colours and size. As a result, children concentrate and persist and achieve an end result that they are satisfied with. However, the childminder does not consistently maximise learning opportunities by asking questions that encourage children to think for themselves and solve simple problems. For example, she does not discuss how they could make alternative patterns or make different colours by mixing paints. The childminder carries out regular assessments of children's interests and development. This information is used

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who attend. This is good

to identify children's next steps in learning. She also uses approved guidance to track children's progress and to identify their strengths and areas for development. She encourages parents to contribute their own observations of children's learning so that children's records give an all-round picture of their development.

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good

The childminder has a good settling-in procedure. She visits children in their own homes so that they can get to know her in a familiar setting. This promotes children's well-being and confidence. Parents provide initial information about their child's interests, care needs and routines. The childminder has not sought further details from them about what children can already do in order to plan more precisely from the very start. The childminder promotes children's understanding of the importance of a healthy diet by talking to them about what they have for their snacks and their packed lunches. She maintains a safe environment for the children. External doors and gates are locked so that no unauthorised person can enter the home. She carries out regular evacuation practices with the children, so that they know what to do in the event of an emergency.

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provision is good

The childminder is committed to her own professional development. She completes regular training to update her skills and knowledge. This includes training to support children with their emerging language and communication skills. As a result, the provision for children is continually improving. The childminder has fully addressed the recommendations from her previous inspection. She invites parents and children to give regular feedback. Parents say they are very happy with the quality of childcare that the childminder provides and that their children love to attend. Partnership working with other settings that children attend is good. The childminder has an effective range of strategies in place so that all those involved in the children's learning and development share information. As a result, children are supported to make good progress.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY296507 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 856438 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 9

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 25 February 2009

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2005 and lives in Bar Hill, near Cambridge. She operates all year round, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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Telephone number

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted 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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Telephone number

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. 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 Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, 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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Telephone number

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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Telephone number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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