Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder provides an exceptionally warm, welcoming and homely environment. Children settle quickly and feel secure in the inviting surroundings. They establish excellent relationships with the childminder, who is attentive to their needs. Children are confident, independent learners who display high levels of curiosity, for instance, as they eagerly explore and decorate a cardboard igloo.

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The provision is outstanding

Children have tremendous fun developing their games. They show an aptitude for problem solving as they work out how to make the inside of their igloo dark. Children cover the igloo with blankets to achieve this, then using a Christmas toy, they light up their improvised den.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are extremely polite, and show kindness to each other as they share coloured crayons and stickers. Older children hand babies toys, helping to comfort them when they become unsettled. They thrive on the consistently descriptive praise they receive from the childminder. They play together and exchange ideas about how best to decorate their creations and where to place stickers on a birthday card. The childminder plans an exceptional variety of well-organised activities across the curriculum. Children become deeply engaged and focus for extremely long periods of time. They make exceptional progress from their starting points.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is an extremely positive role model who sets high expectations for children's behaviour. She implements very effective strategies and works consistently with parents to support children's understanding of right from wrong. Children learn to resolve conflict through discussion, avoiding disagreement, to ensure everyone has a turn. n Children are curious and highly motivated to learn. They ask questions, such as 'what?', 'why?' and 'how?'. Children demonstrate accuracy with their rapidly growing vocabulary as they use various shape and number names during their play. They thoroughly enjoy sharing stories and have learned to use pictures as clues to the storyline. Older children recognise that print carries meaning. The childminder provides a language-rich environment with numerous opportunities for children to build on their wide vocabulary. n Children develop a can-do approach and show exceptionally high levels of

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need to do better?

independence. Babies feed themselves extremely well, and toddlers and older children independently manage their personal needs, especially in relation to health and self-care. All children confidently learn key skills that help them to be extremely well prepared for their next stage in learning and for their eventual move on to school.

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need to do better?

2 December 2019 n Partnerships with parents are highly effective. Parents are very complimentary about the childminder's practice. They comment that their children have something 'new and exciting' each time they come to collect them. Parents say that this gives them inspiration for things they can do at home. The childminder uses an electronic system to share information about children's learning and development. This provides parents with snapshots throughout the day and photographs to cherish. Parents are encouraged to contribute to children's learning, which helps the childminder to obtain an accurate understanding of children's changing needs and interests. n The childminder provides a wide range of opportunities for children to meet new people and talk about similarities and differences in the world. Children frequently visit the local church, residential care home, library, parks, and community groups. They enjoy waving to residents as they walk around the

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need to do better?

village. Children make birthday cards to help those living locally to celebrate milestone birthdays. n The childminder's excellent teaching highly motivates children. The childminder skilfully supports them to develop thinking skills. For example, when exploring the texture of dough, she asks them how it feels, looks and smells. Children identify that peppermint has been added to the home-made dough, which triggers conversations about toothpaste and other minty items. n The childminder is highly reflective. She makes regular evaluations of her setting to make pertinent changes and drive improvement. The childminder pays excellent attention to developing her teaching skills. She undertakes research and networks with other professionals. In addition, the childminder attends training which she implements in practice to help her to raise the quality of her teaching to the highest level.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has an extremely broad knowledge of child protection issues, including wider safeguarding concerns. She can very accurately identify the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. The childminder knows who to contact if she has any concerns about a child's safety and welfare. She frequently attends training to update her safeguarding knowledge. The childminder talks to older children and parents about online safety to help them to develop an excellent understanding about staying safe.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY391568 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10113047 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder Age range of children 1 to 10 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 14 Date of previous inspection 19 March 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2009 and lives in Over, Cambridgeshire. She operates all year round from 7.15am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector reviewed records and evidence of suitability checks for adults living in the household. n The inspector observed practice and discussed an evaluation of an activity with the childminder. n The inspector sought the views of children and parents. n The inspector discussed how the childminder works with other agencies. n The inspector discussed with the childminder how she reflects on and develops future practice.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

2 December 2019 2 December 2019 regulates and inspects to 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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