Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 10 July 2015 5 October 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 has a good understanding of how the children learn and develop. She knows children very well and provides interesting experiences to support their individual next steps in learning.  The childminder has established very effective relationships with parents. She regularly shares information about children's progress with them, together with ideas of how they can further support their child's learning at home.  The childminder is kind and caring. She establishes good bonds with children who demonstrate they feel safe and secure.  The childminder ensures settling-in arrangements are flexible to meet children's individual needs. She effectively supports children's emotional well-being to ensure they are prepared for school.  The childminder has a thorough understanding of her roles and responsibilities of the Early Years Foundation Stage.  The childminder safeguards children well. She has rigorous risk assessments to check

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This provision is good

the environment is safe. She fully understands her role to protect children from harm and the procedures to follow should she have any concerns about their welfare.  The childminder is committed to her continuous professional development. She identifies areas to improve her practice to ensure children make good progress and achieve their best potential.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Sometimes, the childminder is overly focused on her own ideas and misses opportunities to extend children's learning when they develop activities and play for themselves.

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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

 enhance the already good teaching even further, for example, by joining in with children's explorations even more to inspire their natural curiosity and develop interactions to promote their deeper thinking.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching and the impact this has on children's learning, both inside and outdoors.  The inspector viewed the areas of the childminder's home used for childminding purposes.  The inspector spoke to the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector took account of the written views of parents.  The inspector checked the childminder's evidence of the suitability of adult household members, and the childminder's training records.  The inspector viewed a range of documentation including children's learning journals, attendance register, and a sample of policies and procedures.

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who attend. This is good

The experienced and qualified childminder makes meaningful observations of children as they play. She accurately assesses their progress and plans stimulating activities to support their individual next steps in learning. Children enjoy the challenge of thinking how to eat the fruit that is frozen in ice cubes. Older children use a range of tools to chip the ice to discover shells and pinecones in frozen ice blocks. The childminder supports children's communication and language development. For example, she describes children's actions, and models new words for younger children. However, she does not always follow children's explorations and interests to extend their learning. For example, when children pour water onto blocks of ice and notice their hands are cold, she does not use these opportunities to extend their understanding further. This is because she is focused on her expectations of what she had planned for the children to learn.

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who attend. This is good

Nevertheless, the childminder successfully supports each child to make good progress in their individual journeys and they acquire good skills to support their future education.

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good

The childminder is friendly, approachable and a good role model. Children enjoy spending time with her and are relaxed and confident. Older children show kindness and patience to those younger than themselves, which reflects the childminder's example. The childminder gathers meaningful information about children when they start which also supports the good partnership she establishes with parents. She is flexible to their needs and shares information about their child's day and development through daily verbal exchanges and written journals. The childminder supports children to develop healthy lifestyles by providing activities, both inside and outside in the garden. She supports parents to provide healthy food choices in children's packed lunches by giving them suggestions of what could be included. The childminder and parents provide seasonal fruit for snack which children share together. She uses her good links with the local schools to familiarise

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good

children with teachers and routines to ensure they are emotionally prepared for school.

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provision is good

Children's safety is central to the childminder's practice. She ensures her knowledge is maintained by attending appropriate training regularly. She reviews her practice frequently, and identifies areas for improvement that will have the most impact in supporting children's learning opportunities. For example, after attending a recent conference she shares more books with children because she understands the positive impact this has on communication and language development. The childminder has established effective systems with other early years providers to share information about children's progress which means children benefit from continuity and consistency in their care. Parents typically comment how happy their children are and that they make good progress.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 222265 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 866025 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 5 October 2009

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1992. She operates from her home in Sawtry, Cambridgeshire each weekday from 8am to 6pm, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She provides funded early education to eligible two-, three- and four-year-old children. She holds professional early years qualifications at level 3.

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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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