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

Children truly flourish in the childminder's and her assistant's care. They benefit from the inspiring partnerships that the provider has with parents and other professionals. Children are absolutely enthralled in stories and love to learn new vocabulary, answer questions about the story and make the associated actions. They share the same high levels of enthusiasm for singing songs and laugh out loud as the childminder moves them in different ways on her lap while singing familiar rhymes. Children's communication and language development is excellently supported.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are extremely happy and content in the childminder's care. Children learn so much from each other. Younger children repeat new words that older children use. They also play together as they 'go shopping' with their toy pushchairs and regularly pause to embrace one another. This shows the strong relationships children have with each other and provides them with a very firm foundation for their future learning.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's independence is promoted at every single opportunity. They take time to peel and cut their own fruit after observing which float and which sink in the bowl of water. The childminder fully appreciates that children need time to process information. For example, she says to them 'I can see you're thinking', gives them some time and then asks what it is they are thinking about. In this way, children learn to independently think through ideas and solve problems.

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need to do better?

n Children's learning is excellently supported by a wonderful and well considered environment, both indoors and out. The childminder uses what she knows about children's interests in all activities provided. For example, she encourages children to use their favourite dinosaurs in the sand to look at the different sized footprints. Children count confidently and accurately. n The provider uses her exhaustive knowledge of each child's individual learning needs and styles to make full use of every opportunity to support, consolidate and extend their knowledge and skills through a wide range of activities. She is a skilled teacher and constantly adapts activities to ensure each child consolidates and extends their knowledge and skills. The childminder and her assistant access a wealth of training opportunities to keep their knowledge and skills up to date and continually refreshed. n The childminder provides a wonderfully language rich environment. The

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need to do better?

childminder is a captivating and engaging story teller, and uses many props and actions to really bring stories alive for the children. For example, she uses toy telescopes to encourage children to say and understand positional language:

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need to do better?

21 January 2022 'look at the sky, look to the ground, look to the left, look to the right, look all around'. Children are able to express what they are thinking, for example when they are asked 'why is the snail sad?' They reply in an animated way that it is because the 'crow' in the picture will eat the snail's dinner. n Children's behaviour is excellent. The provider intuitively knows when something may upset a child and expertly distracts them to prevent escalation. Children receive so much praise and positive reinforcement. For example, they are told they are 'awesome' when they use the potty and feel pride when the childminder 'high fives' and 'high tens' them. n Children have learned very thorough hygiene routines. They independently know to wash the backs of their hands and each finger as they sing a song to ensure they clean them thoroughly. They constantly learn about healthy choices and lifestyles and know that it is important to eat fruit and vegetables to keep them

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need to do better?

'strong'. n Parents comment that their children absolutely love the company of the provider's assistant. He models and inspires wonderful creativity. For example, he creates a working space station under the table, which is awe inspiring and gives children lots of opportunities to use working switches and lights in a darkened den. n Feedback from parents is overwhelmingly positive. Parents say that their child's learning experience has been 'amazing' and that the provider and her assistant 'have the biggest hearts' and 'nothing is too much trouble'. They appreciate the provider's dedication and unwavering hard work. n It is extremely clear that the provider is highly respected in all that she does by a wider audience. She goes out of her way to support other provisions across the early years sector and has received awards nominated by both parents and other authorities.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The provider's knowledge of safeguarding is extensive. She remains vigilant at all times so that she can raise any concerns at the very earliest opportunity. The childminder ensures that both her and her assistant are fully versed in all safeguarding matters. This includes situations such as radicalisation and potential use of children's devices in the setting. She is clear about when she might share a concern with parents and when immediate referral is required to protect a child from immediate risk of harm.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY296329 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10113153 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 12 Number of children on roll 18 Date of previous inspection 11 March 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2004. She lives in Whittlesey near Peterborough. The childminder operates Monday to Friday from 7.45am to 5.15pm, all year round except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with an assistant. The childminder and her assistant hold an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3. The childminder provides funded early 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 provision. n The childminder and inspector had a discussion about how the curriculum and premises are organised. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with the childminder at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector spoke to children throughout the inspection. n The inspector and childminder completed a joint evaluation of an activity. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of persons living and working in the household. n A large number of parents provided written feedback to the inspector and the

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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

21 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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