Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 19 April 2016 27 April 2012

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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

 Children have formed strong emotional bonds with the childminder and her assistant because they are kind and loving towards them. They are both very responsive to children's individual care needs. Babies enjoy close contact and have settled well.  The learning environment both inside and outside is well planned to provide stimulation and motivation for children to learn. Children explore their surroundings in confidence and choose activities they enjoy from a good range of toys and resources.  Children make good progress in their learning and development, due to the childminder's secure knowledge of their individual needs and interests. She uses this to provide interesting activities and outings which further enhance and develop children's skills and knowledge.  Partnerships with parents are well established. The childminder effectively builds relationships with them during settling-in periods. She shares written information about

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This provision is good

their day along with regular newsletters, so parents always have a good overview of all aspects of care their child receives.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The professional development of the childminder and her assistant is not yet precisely targeted on raising the quality of teaching to the highest standard and focused on meeting the changing needs of children.  Children's communication and language skills are not always consistently promoted. The childminder and her assistant do not maximise all opportunities to extend children's vocabulary as they play.

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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

 strengthen professional development opportunities to enhance teaching skills to the highest level and support the changing needs of children  make better use of opportunities to extend and enhance children's vocabulary during activities.

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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.  The inspector spoke with the childminder and the children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector looked at relevant documentation, such as the childminder's training certificates and evidence of the suitability of adults living in the childminder's home.  The inspector took account of the written views of parents and the verbal views of grandparents.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder understands her duty to protect children in her care and knows how to report concerns. Both the childminder and her assistant regularly refresh their child protection knowledge through training. Adults living in the home have undergone appropriate checks to ensure their suitability. The childminder monitors the practice of her assistant and together they reflect on the service they provide. The childminder meets with other childminders to discuss best practice and follows childminding forums on social network sites. The childminder and parents work well together to meet children's needs. Parents feel the childminder is caring, friendly and supportive. They particularly like the themed activity days.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder is knowledgeable about children's current stage of development and their interests. She plans activities she knows they will enjoy. The childminder offers good support to children as they play. She sits on the floor at babies' level. Children participate in a range of activities that allows them to explore and investigate objects and materials. Babies use their hands to find hidden objects in jelly and learn how to use musical instruments to make sounds. Children experience a good range of learning opportunities on outings. They visit the local ambulance station and fire station to learn about people who help them. Parents are encouraged to support learning. For example, they provide items from home relevant to particular colours children are learning to recognise.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder's home is well organised to enable children to move freely and safely. Children happily approach the childminder and her assistant with their wants and needs, such as help putting on an apron. The childminder gathers detailed information from parents at the beginning so that she has a clear understanding of children's individual care and development needs. Young children are supported well to share resources with their friends. They show kindness and consideration to others, giving an apron to a baby prior to play with jelly. Older children are respectful of the childminder's rules and enjoy receiving small incentives for their positive behaviour. Children's safety is paramount. They follow safety rules on walks, and older children partner younger ones as they walk and wear reflective vests so they can be easily seen. There are daily opportunities for physical exercise and the garden is used as a positive learning environment.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children's progress is regularly monitored to identify areas for development and confidently shape future learning. Assessments of children's learning show that they are making clear progress and acquiring good skills for their future education. Children play with resources they are interested in, such as feeding and wrapping dolls in a blanket. Children's early literacy skills are supported well. Books are easily available. Children use resources, such as chalks and paints, to make their marks and to help strengthen hand muscles in preparation for developing their writing skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY425508 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 852597 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 11 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 25

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 27 April 2012

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2011 and lives in Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She works with her husband, who is her registered assistant.

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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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