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 Not applicable

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in the childminder's care. They thoroughly enjoy themselves and develop high levels of self-esteem and positive attitudes to learning. Children delight in their achievement when they climb into and swing the hammock at the children's allotment. They have plenty of opportunities to practise and develop strong physical skills. For example, they learn how to climb trees safely and negotiate ladders to refill bird feeders they have hung in trees. Children learn how to keep themselves safe. They know that they need to wear a hat to protect them from the sun.

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The provision is outstanding

Children express their thoughts and ideas confidently. They are knowledgeable and eagerly share what they have learnt about life cycles. Children create pictures to support their discussions about caterpillars, cocoons and butterflies. They learn about and grow plants that will attract caterpillars and butterflies. This provides children with valuable hands-on experiences to help them understand and embed what they learn about ecosystems and nature.

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The provision is outstanding

Children truly develop a deep love of books and reading. They choose books from the local library that supplement the vast selection freely available throughout the childminder's home. Children especially enjoy role-play games. They create their own library, read stories to each other, their dolls and the childminder. Children regularly take books home to share with their parents. They benefit greatly from hearing songs and rhymes throughout the day. This helps them to build a wide vocabulary that enables them to develop fluent communication skills.

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need to do better?

n The childminder knows precisely what she intends children to gain from attending her setting. This is clearly structured to help children build on what they already know and can do. The childminder knows the children incredibly well. She intuitively weaves learning through children's interests and chosen activities to provide them with a secure foundation for their future learning. n The childminder is committed to continually reflecting on and improving her practice. She researches early years theories and developments to inform and develop her professional knowledge and skills. Children benefit from her highly focused approach as they explore and learn about the world around them. n Children develop a strong understanding of mathematical ideas and concepts as they play. They learn about fractions when they cut strawberries for snack time; they accurately count to 10 when they wait for their turn to swing on the

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need to do better?

hammock. The childminder encourages children to compare the size of courgettes they help to harvest. Children choose different sized cups and containers when they play with coloured rice or water. They notice that some of

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need to do better?

22 July 2021 the bubbles they blow are huge and some are tiny. Children compare the sides of squares and rectangles. They know that if the four sides are equal in length the shape is a square. Children measure lengths of tape they cut, using scissors with care and precision. n The childminder helps and encourages children to understand and talk about their emotions. She provides a consistently stable environment where children feel safe and valued. This helps children to develop resilience to cope with changes in their lives, such as when they move to school. n Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the childminder. They highly value the bonds their children form with the childminder. Parents state that they are extremely well informed about their child's day and what they need to learn next. They appreciate how the childminder provided ideas for activities to continue children's learning during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic

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need to do better?

restrictions. Parents value the wide range of experiences the childminder provides for their children. They comment that their children are very well prepared for the move to school. n The childminder forges highly effective partnerships with other professionals that support children and their families. She is tenacious in ensuring children's individual needs are prioritised. For instance, she sources and provides additional materials that successfully engage children to practice speech sounds that they find more difficult. n Children are very keen to do things for themselves. They collect and put on their shoes with ease when they choose to play outside. Children are eager to have a go and try new things. Younger children show high levels of concentration as they use scissors to snip paper and safety knives to cut fruit n Children proudly choose which of their artwork is displayed in the childminder's

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need to do better?

home. Children show increasing control as they develop a secure pencil grip. The childminder ensures children have plenty of opportunities to strengthen the muscles in their arms and hands. For example, children pour water into containers with increasing accuracy, use diggers to scoop sand and mud and climb trees.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder attends regular child protection training and conducts research about wider safeguarding issues. She confidently fulfils her responsibility to protect children from harm. The childminder identifies possible signs of abuse and neglect. She knows what to do should she have any concerns about a child's welfare. The childminder understands the risks to children of being exposed to extremist views or being drawn into drug related activities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY556287 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10174796 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2018 and lives in St Ives, Cambridgeshire. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds qualified teacher status.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The childminder showed the inspector the areas of her home and allotment that she uses for childcare, and explained how she organises her curriculum. n The inspector spoke to the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection. She observed activities inside and outdoors. n The inspector discussed with the childminder the activities she had provided for children on the day of inspection. n Parents provided written feedback and the inspector took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

22 July 2021 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

22 July 2021 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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