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 enthusiastically explore and experiment with the carefully selected resources that can be used in many different ways. For example, children use the arches of a wooden rainbow to create enclosures in which they sort dinosaurs into different categories. Children find books that can help them check that they have recalled the correct information about what each set of dinosaurs would have eaten. They answer the childminder's questions when she asks them to remind her of the facts they recently discovered about the creatures. Children then willingly take on new challenges to build on what they already know and understand. This contributes to children's rapid progress.

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The provision is outstanding

Solving problems and thinking about different ways to do things are second-nature to children. They take delight in scooping and squirting different things, such as baking powder and soap into coloured water. Children accurately predict what they think will happen and talk about quantities and the changes they see. Other children work out how to melt blocks of ice to remove shells frozen into the cubes. They scoop salt before deciding it will be quicker to use tools to help break the ice. Children work together, sharing the tools they have collected. They use complex sentences to describe what they are doing and to give encouragement and support to their friend's actions. Children remain highly focused and concentrate for long periods of time.

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The provision is outstanding

When they feel tired, children snuggle up with the childminder to share favourite books and quiet, relaxing times together. The childminder is extremely sensitive to children's needs and respects their feelings and emotions. She allows them space and time before gently encouraging them to join in with others again.

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need to do better?

n The highly experienced and well-qualified childminder confidently blends her skills gained in a variety of early education approaches. This contributes to a highly adaptable approach to help children foster skills and knowledge to help carry them through their future learning. The childminder's own passion and dedication is reflected in the children's attitudes and behaviours. n Children are well prepared for changes in their lives, including moving on to school or nursery. The childminder reads stories about such changes and talks about the children's feelings. She takes children to visit the new places and makes time to answer children's questions in a positive and reassuring manner. Activities relating to a popular children's book, that investigates feelings and emotions, help to strengthen children's understanding of how they are feeling. Over time, children feel more confident about future changes.

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need to do better?

22 July 2021 n Children behave exceptionally well. They are kind and considerate towards others, including the childminder's pets. Children explain why rules are set and can describe the simple but clear guidelines set by the childminder. n The highly motivated childminder regularly reflects on the quality of the care and education she provides. She reviews her personal goals with precision and values the feedback from parents and children. This helps her make focused and highly effective continual improvements. n Training courses, webinars and professional articles accessed by the childminder are highly relevant and help to expand her already excellent understanding of how children develop and learn even more. For example, recent research about children's self-esteem helps the childminder reflect on her own practice. This contributes to the excellent behaviours, attitudes and positive personal development that children display.

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need to do better?

n Children take well-managed age-appropriate risks in their explorations and learning. For example, children describe how they assess the trees they are able to attempt to climb during their weekly visits to the forest. They carefully listen to and understand the childminder's explanations of how to identify which trees would be strong enough to support their weight. This helps children to begin to keep themselves safe. n The childminder provides varied, nutritious snacks and meals. Children enjoy preparing their own pizzas for lunch. They take turns to choose a selection of toppings and talk about the changes that will happen, such as why the cheese will melt. Children show consideration to others. They understand that the toppings need to be shared, ensuring they leave sufficient amounts for their friends. n The childminder builds very strong relationships with parents. She effectively shares information about the progress children make and gives plenty of ideas

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need to do better?

for activities to help children continue their learning at home. Parents add photographs and describe special family events in a communal journal. This enables children to share exciting news and important events with the childminder and their friends.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has extremely strong knowledge about child protection issues. This includes those specific to the local area. The childminder has highly robust procedures in place that she follows to help safeguard children. She knows what and how to report any concerns she may have in a swift manner to the local authority. Children in the childminder's care begin to know some ways to keep themselves safe. For example, those who are able to talk know which adults they can share their worries or concerns with.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY563708 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10191212 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 8 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2018 and lives just outside of St Neots, Cambridgeshire. She operates Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm. The childminder holds a relevant childcare qualification at level 5. She provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

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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 this into account in her evaluation of the provider. n The childminder described how she plans her curriculum and how she sets out the resources in the areas of her home, garden and other outdoor spaces regularly used by children. n The inspector checked the evidence of the the suitability of the childminder and other household members. She looked at other documentation, including children's records, risk assessments and self-assessment. n Activities in the house and garden were observed by the inspector. She spoke to the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The childminder reflected on how observed activities with the children linked to children's individual learning. n Letters and emails sent by parents were read by the inspector. Parent's written

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Inspection activities

views, and those from feedback contained in questionnaires, were taken into consideration by the inspector.

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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

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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