Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 15 December 2015 27 January 2011

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 The childminder provides good quality teaching. She makes regular observations and accurate assessments of children's development, which gives her a clear understanding of their progress. She uses this information to reflect on their next steps in learning and help her to meet their individual learning needs.  The childminder keeps parents well informed about the activities that she plans. She displays a weekly activities sheet on the notice board, showing them what outings and activities are planned for the week. She plans activities for each child to support their current interests.  The childminder promotes children's well-being effectively. She works hard to form close bonds with parents and children during flexible settling-in periods, to establish their feeling of security.  The childminder works effectively with other settings that children attend, to ensure continuity in children's learning and enhance their progress even further.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not consistently obtain detailed information from parents about their child's development when children first start attending, to help her plan precisely for their learning.  The childminder does not always make the most of opportunities to broaden children's reading and literacy development during planned activities.

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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

 gather more detailed initial information from parents about their children's learning and development, in order to plan precisely for children's immediate learning needs  extend opportunities for children to identify initial letters and their sounds, to enhance their early reading skills and literacy.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. She spoke with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at a range of documentation, including policies, evidence of the suitability of household members and the safeguarding procedures.  The inspector observed a planned activity and jointly evaluated this with the childminder.  The inspector took account of the views of parents as provided in documentation.  The inspector reviewed the childminder's self-evaluation and methods of reflective practice.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has a thorough knowledge of child protection procedures. She knows the signs and symptoms that might cause her concern about children's welfare. The childminder attends training regularly to update her knowledge and help her to protect children. She considers every aspect of children's welfare and promotes this well. The well-qualified childminder is motivated to sustain her knowledge and continue to raise standards. She effectively evaluates her provision and seeks appropriate training to ensure that her policies and practice reflect any changes to legislation.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder provides well-planned activities to promote children's learning. She models new vocabulary and pronounces words clearly. The childminder gives children time to think and talk. This helps them to develop good communication skills. Children choose how they wish to do things and show good motivation. For example, they complete alphabet floor puzzles and persist in their efforts as they try each piece in turn to find the correct position. However, the childminder occasionally misses opportunities to build on children's early reading and literacy skills and help them to identify initial letters and their sounds. Children show an interest in exploring technology. They understand how to operate simple mechanical and battery-operated toys.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children have good opportunities to be active. They enjoy trips to social groups as well as indoor and outdoor play areas. This helps to promote their good health and helps them to build their confidence in new settings and larger groups. It also contributes towards their development of emotional security in readiness for starting school. The childminder teaches children about how to keep themselves safe when out and about. For example, she helps them to be aware of stinging nettles and broken bottles during their walks in the park. Children develop good self-care skills. They help themselves to drinks when they are thirsty and competently manage to put on and take off their coats and shoes at an early age. The childminder adheres closely to specific dietary requests when planning menus for children. She works in close partnership with parents to successfully foster children's well- being.

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Outcomes for children are good

The childminder monitors children's progress and helps them to acquire and practise the skills needed for the next steps in their learning, including school. She completes a detailed progress check for children between the ages of two and three years. This helps her to monitor each child's achievements. All children make good progress given their starting points.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY288838 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 861319 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 6 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 10

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 27 January 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2005 and lives in Stevenage. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification 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 reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Telephone number

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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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