Gamble, Kitty

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 3 February 2016 10 February 2010

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 The childminder makes excellent use of her childcare qualification and of knowledge gained from training and carrying out research. Her increased understanding of child development enables her to look in greater detail at how each child learns. She then plans activities and resources that are exactly tailored to their needs.  Children make excellent progress. They participate in a stimulating range of activities that offers them new experiences and extends their knowledge. They mirror the childminder's calm but enthusiastic approach to learning and demonstrate highly positive attitudes to their play and any new challenges. This prepares them exceptionally well for school.  The childminder meticulously checks children's progress and acts immediately to address any possible gaps in their learning. She has introduced additional resources and activities that support older children in developing their reading skills.

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This provision is outstanding

 Parents report that they greatly appreciate the childminder's sensitivity and professionalism. The childminder supports parents exceptionally well in extending their children's learning. For example, she provides individual plans for each child and these include realistic and practical ideas for activities to try at home.  Children have creative opportunities to review their work and to understand how they are learning and developing. For example, they help the childminder to make books containing photographs of recent activities. These are readily accessible and children enjoy looking through them, proudly remembering what they have achieved.  The childminder's excellent organisation means that children regularly use nearby facilities that complement their interests and offer meaningful learning opportunities. For example, they use local toddler groups and love visiting a nearby nature reserve.

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This provision is outstanding

These activities also support children in understanding their community and spark their interest in wider society.

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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

 exploit the very good opportunities for younger children to explore information and communication technology resources even further.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities inside and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. She reviewed an activity with the childminder.  The inspector talked with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records, planning documentation and evidence of the suitability of household members. She viewed the childminder's self- evaluation information and a range of other documentation, including the safeguarding procedures.  The inspector took account of the views of parents, as given in their written feedback to the childminder.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The childminder sets herself the highest standards for her childcare. Her comprehensive self-evaluation supports her in achieving these, and enables her to precisely identify even further improvements. She has recognised the potential to offer younger children extended opportunities to access additional information and communication technology resources. She has successfully addressed the previous inspection recommendation and now offers children a wealth of opportunities to explore and appreciate diversity. Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder frequently updates her knowledge of this area so that she promotes children's welfare at all times. Her excellent procedures for working in partnership with other childcare settings mean that children move seamlessly between settings and their development is not interrupted.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

The childminder's excellent planning enables her to build on learning opportunities. Older children develop their interest in birds as they participate in a national bird watching event. The childminder skilfully adapts this for the younger children. They develop their understanding of the natural world as they play with toy birds and make nests. They use tweezers to play at feeding the birds, supporting the development of their finer-muscle control. When children notice that the birds are different colours, the childminder extends this and they use books to discover the different species of birds. The childminder pays attention to all areas of her work and uses descriptive language. Children copy this and learn to express themselves and use language creatively. The childminder offers children a wonderful variety of creative resources and encourages them to think how they would like to use these. This is one of the ways in which she supports children in exploring and

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

determining their own learning. For example, children use a cardboard box and colourful cloth to make a den, adding torches and cushions as they develop its use.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

The childminder obtains comprehensive information from parents about children's needs. Children quickly settle, responding to the childminder's nurturing approach. Children gain a very practical understanding of how to assess risks. They develop their physical skills safely, as they use large play equipment, recognising their own limitations and the possible dangers. Children show a mature approach to managing their behaviour. With the childminder's highly sensitive support, they learn to respect each other and to resolve any conflicts amicably. The numerous play opportunities throughout the day offer children opportunities to work independently and in partnership with others. They confidently and happily adapt to each situation. They demonstrate a highly positive emotional stability and this provides a firm foundation upon which to develop their learning when they start school.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

The childminder's highly positive approach inspires children and all are making exceptional progress. The excellent support she offers each individual child enables them to rapidly develop the essential skills that underpin their learning and prepare them for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY395378 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 849873 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 10 February 2010

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2009 and lives in Gamlingay. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 4. She provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

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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

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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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