Dixon, Julie Anne

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

Children are nurtured and thrive in the excellent care of the childminder. They benefit from a highly stimulating environment and the wealth of well-planned learning opportunities provided for them. Children demonstrate an outstanding sense of security in their surroundings and are extremely confident. They thoroughly enjoy playing and learning, and like nothing better than being outside in the fresh air. Children learn how to grow vegetables and are very excited to harvest the leeks and beetroot from their garden. They organise themselves successfully and show great determination as they fathom out how to prise the large vegetables from the ground. Children are knowledgeable about creatures they find as they complete their task and show great care as they observe and handle them for a short time.

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The provision is outstanding

Children behave exceptionally well and play happily together. They show concern for one another and have an expert knowledge of the strategies used to help with turn taking and sharing. For example, children explain how to use the sand timer to ensure everyone has an opportunity to take photographs of their exciting activities. Children's physical abilities are fostered exceptionally well. They have opportunities to practise balancing, riding in pedal cars and digging in the garden. Equally, the childminder finds innovative and practical activities to help strengthen children's smaller hand muscles in readiness for controlling pens and pencils.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has high expectations of all children and provides superb play and learning experiences to promote their learning to the highest level. She is an inspiration to her assistants, who equally demonstrate an abundance of enthusiasm for their roles. The childminder ensures children have every opportunity to develop a thirst for knowledge and receive the support they need to succeed. n Children are very excited and enthralled as the childminder uses puppets to teach them about good hygiene practices. Children remember what they have been taught and demonstrate this throughout the day as they attend to their own self-care. They readily talk about unwashed hands causing upset tummies or the spread of colds after sneezing. This outstanding level of knowledge supports children exceptionally well as they gain independence and prepare for their move to school. n Children are developing excellent literacy skills and a genuine love for books and

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need to do better?

reading. They independently choose favourite stories to read and recognise letters and the sounds they make. The childminder and her assistants take every opportunity to boost children's confidence in this area. Consequently, children are delighted when they correctly identify the initial letter of their names on

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need to do better?

13 February 2020 displays and posters. n Children's knowledge of mathematics is fostered exceptionally well. The childminder teaches children to count accurately and recognise numbers during daily routines and activities. Children recognise different shapes and are learning how to measure and use words to describe the differences in height and length as they play. For example, children use the words taller and shorter as they measure each other. n The childminder demonstrates excellent teaching skills as she interacts and plays with children. Children's thinking skills are promoted at every opportunity and they are encouraged to be independent in their explorations and investigations. They have outstanding communication skills and are confident to share their ideas and thoughts. n Parents offer the highest of praise for the childminder and the outstanding level of care she provides. They are fully involved with children's learning at home

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need to do better?

and appreciate the help and support the childminder offers. n The childminder knows children exceptionally well and ensures planning takes account of her observations and knowledge of their abilities. She tailors activities skilfully around children's interests and this helps them swiftly develop what they already know. Children concentrate exceptionally well and are highly motivated to complete tasks, even if they find them challenging. n The childminder is an excellent role model for her assistants and supports them well to develop their own skills and knowledge. Training opportunities are readily undertaken by everyone and now all assistants have appropriate childcare qualifications. Parents are consulted regularly, and their ideas make valuable contributions to the self-evaluation of the provision.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a robust knowledge of her responsibilities to protect children. She knows how to identify children at risk of harm and recognises the potential implications for those exposed to extremist ideas. The childminder is well trained and confident to report her concerns to the appropriate authorities. She ensures her assistants are equally as skilful and know how to respond to matters that may affect children's safety and welfare. The childminder and her assistants maintain a secure environment where only known individuals are permitted to enter. Parents are made aware of the childminder's role in protecting children and the policies that support her practice.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 222661 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10112986 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 3 to 10 Total number of places 18 Number of children on roll 38 Date of previous inspection 27 January 2014

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1990 and lives in Linton, Cambridgeshire. She regularly works with two assistants. The childminder operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and on Wednesdays she operates between 7.30am until 9am and from 2.45pm until 6pm. The childminder provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. The assistants hold appropriate qualifications at level 2 or above.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder, her assistants and the children. n The inspector spoke to the childminder about the activities she plans and how they benefit children's development. n The inspector jointly evaluated an activity with the childminder. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household. n The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided.

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Inspection activities

13 February 2020 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

13 February 2020 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

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