Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 31 October 2016 Not applicable

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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 makes good use of the richly varied outdoor environment to offer children plentiful opportunities to develop a very good understanding of the world around them. They learn to take acceptable risks, explore plants and insects, make dens and watch chicks grow into hens.  The childminder has a professional approach to her business. Meticulous record keeping underpins her practice in promoting children's welfare and safety. Policies and procedures are implemented well and provide parents with a comprehensive understanding of the provision.  The childminder and her assistants form a positive and supportive team. They regularly identify professional development opportunities to help them improve their teaching skills. These are targeted well to meet the individual needs of children they care for.  Children have close and affectionate relationships with the childminder and her assistants. They develop their confidence and independence well, which helps them to

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This provision is good

be ready for school.  The childminder has a secure understanding of what children need to learn next. She and her assistants regularly assess children's development and work closely with parents to ensure all children make good progress in their learning.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not make the most of all opportunities to extend children's understanding of weight, quantity and comparison.  At times, the childminder does not give children time to think about and use their own ideas to solve problems and consider how and why things happen.

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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 children's opportunities to enhance their understanding of weight, quantity and comparison  provide children with increased occasions where they have time to think about solutions to problems and consider how and why things happen.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector and the childminder observed a specific activity and evaluated the learning outcomes for children.  The inspector observed the quality of teaching and spoke to the childminder and her assistant about how they plan for children's progress.  The inspector looked at the premises and the resources available to children.  A range of documentation was looked at, including evidence of suitability of the assistants and family members, training, some policies and procedures and children's records.  The views of parents were taken into account through written comments and the childminder's questionnaires. The action plan for improvement was discussed.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder and her assistants have a good understanding of the signs of child abuse or neglect. They attend training and know the procedures for reporting any concerns about a child's welfare. The childminder evaluates her provision and has a good commitment to professional development. For example, she and her assistants have attended training in language development to enhance the support for children who speak English as an additional language. The childminder thoroughly risk assesses children's activities and outings to promote their safety. Parents' comments demonstrate they trust the childminder and believe their children are well cared for. The childminder keeps parents comprehensively informed about their children's achievements and helps them to extend children's learning at home.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder and her assistants are playful with children. They interact well with them and provide a supportive and positive learning environment. Children have varied play experiences, with plenty of time to play independently or join in planned group activities. The childminder encourages children to learn and use new words as, for example, they make play dough, describing how it feels crumbly and oily. She encourages children to experiment with new tools, such as pipettes, which are squeezed to add food colouring to the dough. Children benefit from a well organised and richly resourced play space, which helps them to make choices and develop their independence.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children develop strong bonds with the childminder and her assistants. They chatter confidently to the adults around them and show affection and trust. The childminder collects detailed information from parents about children's interests when they first start. This helps her to meet their needs well from the outset. The childminder helps children to learn practical skills. Older children independently undertake simple tasks, such as washing their hands. Younger children confidently move around the home, selecting their own toys. Excellent opportunities for outdoor physical activity contribute well to children's good health, their balance and coordination. The childminder promotes children's curiosity by introducing new experiences. For example, they handle a coconut and learn how to crack it open with a hammer. Regular outings help children to learn about their local community.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are well prepared for school and make good progress in their learning. They confidently make friends and play sociably together. They demonstrate good behaviour and understand how to share and take their turn. Children concentrate and persevere. They enjoy learning to make marks and have an interest in joining in with songs and stories. The childminder's familiarity with the local school and pre-school helps her to support children as they move on to the next stage of their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY475002 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 999278 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 4 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 9

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2014 and lives in Highfields Caldecote. She employs two assistants. The childminder works from 7.30am to 6pm, each weekday, all year round, except from family holidays and bank holidays. One assistant holds a relevant qualification at level 3. The childminder accepts two-, three- and four-year-old children eligible for early education funding. Children who speak English as an additional language attend the setting.

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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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