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 loving, welcoming and safe environment for the children. They show that they feel immensely safe and secure in the childminder's warm and nurturing care. The childminder is extremely kind and caring, and children form strong attachments to her. Her confident and relaxed manner helps them to develop a sense of belonging and they are extremely comfortable in her home. The childminder sensitively supported the children and their families throughout the national lockdowns. For example, she read stories online and provided exciting activity packs. She suggested a wealth of ideas to parents to help them with their children's learning at home. Consequently, children continued to enjoy their learning.

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The provision is outstanding

Children relish the time they spend with the childminder. They show exceptionally high levels of concentration as they listen to stories. Toddlers enthusiastically join in and confidently repeat familiar words and phrases. Older children learn to link letters and sounds and are beginning to write the letters in their name. The childminder encourages children to develop creative and critical-thinking skills. Children use their imagination as they freely experiment with the wonderful range of open-ended resources available. They learn about size, weight and capacity, comparing quantities and solving problems. Children of all ages and abilities make outstanding progress. They flourish in the vibrant and stimulating learning environment. Children are exceptionally well prepared for their future learning, including their move on to school.

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need to do better?

n The childminder demonstrates a genuine enthusiasm for her work. She is exceptionally well organised. She gives an enormous amount of thought to planning many rich, innovative and highly challenging activities and experiences. For example, children are enthralled as they watch scientific experiments, such as the 'exploding pumpkin'. n Children take part in a superb range of activities to build on what they already know and can do. The childminder makes precise observations and assessments of children's learning. This enables her to quickly identify and successfully target any gaps in their learning. As a result, all children make outstanding progress. n The childminder has made thoughtful adaptations to the activities children take part in. As they are unable to go on their usual visits, the childminder plans a wealth of role-play experiences for them. They love pretending to be at school. Children happily take turns to be the driver as they 'travel on the bus'. They

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need to do better?

thoroughly enjoy visiting the 'hairdressers' and 'shop'. These role-play experiences help to develop children's imagination as they learn about the world around them.

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need to do better?

18 January 2022 n Children benefit enormously from the superb opportunities to make friends and meet new people from the wider community. The childminder attends a local playgroup each week. Children take part in group activities and develop excellent social skills. This prepares them extremely well for starting school. n Children have wonderful opportunities to develop their speech. For example, young children enjoy talking on the toy telephone. The childminder models language and supports them in their pronunciation of words. Children learn new words, such as 'slither' and 'slide', as they sing their favourite song about animals. Babies constantly babble and confidently use gestures to make their needs known. They are beginning to copy words and are quickly developing their emerging language skills. n The childminder views parents as valued partners. All parents are very enthusiastic to share their views of the childminder's provision. They are

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need to do better?

extremely complimentary about the quality of care and the exceptional progress their children are making. The childminder has made changes to the way she communicates with parents to minimise infection. For example, she now records daily diaries online. This ensures that parents receive regular information about their children and promotes excellent consistency of care. n The childminder carries out extensive research and training to continually develop her professional skills. All training is specifically targeted at improving her knowledge and benefitting the children in her care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the childminder has continued to improve her practice. For example, she has recently completed training to extend her knowledge of how to support children's mental health and well-being. The childminder uses her wealth of experience and knowledge to share high-quality practice with other childminders

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need to do better?

in the area. n The childminder is extremely passionate about the service she provides. She is exceedingly reflective, and skilfully identifies areas that can be further enhanced. The childminder actively seeks feedback from parents and children. This helps her to maintain her high-quality provision. She demonstrates an excellent capacity to sustain outstanding quality of care for children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to protect children. She has extensive knowledge of the current procedures to follow should she have any concerns about children's welfare. The childminder attends regular safeguarding training to ensure she keeps up to date with new legislation. Her extensive safeguarding policies and procedures help to underpin her outstanding practice. They are implemented exceptionally well, including those relating to keeping children safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. The childminder shares all policies with parents to ensure they understand her commitment to promoting their children's welfare.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY477649 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10113197 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 3 Date of previous inspection 29 June 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2014 and lives in Cambridge. She operates all year round from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She provides funded early years education for two-, three- and four-year- old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The childminder showed the inspector the areas of her home that children access. They discussed how the childminder organises her setting and plans the curriculum and experiences for children. n The childminder shared a sample of documents with the inspector. This included evidence about training and the suitability of those living on the premises. n The inspector observed children and the childminder taking part in activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. The inspector and the childminder reflected on a learning experience for children. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing at the childminder's house. n The inspector took account of the views of parents from written feedback

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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

18 January 2022 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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