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 using this provision receive the most valuable early years education. Their complex medical, physical and emotional needs are exceptionally supported. Children have formed strong attachments with the childminder and her co- childminder, and they clearly love being in their care. These attachments promote a strong sense of security and trust, for example, as children use this confidence to take their first unaided steps.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are clearly relaxed in the calm, nurturing and enabling environment. They are always ready for new learning opportunities and show much curiosity. Children make very significant progress from their starting points and often exceed the expectations of medical professionals. This is due to the childminder's diligence in working with a wide range of other professionals and ensuring that she has an in- depth understanding of each child's specific needs. Children move around, indoors and outdoors, with utmost confidence. They are safe in the knowledge that they will receive all the emotional and physical support they need, such as when visitors arrive.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder's home has been specifically adapted to meet children's needs. For example, ceiling tracking and hoists have been installed to be able to lift children safely and comfortably. A specially designed and adapted room enables all children's personal care routines to be carried out in a way that promotes their independence and dignity at all times.

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need to do better?

n The childminder works in partnership with her co-childminder to provide a unique and truly impressive service, where the impact of what they do is clearly evident in the significant progress children make while in their care and the overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents. n The childminder has an impressive knowledge of each child she cares for and their families. She understands how each child learns and that this may follow a unique pathway. It is testament to the childminder's skills, knowledge and flexibility that she is able to identify these pathways and continue her unwavering support to ensure that each child fulfils and exceeds expectations. n The childminder's home is exceptionally well organised. There is an excellent range of resources and equipment to reflect the needs and interests of those children attending. The childminder and her co-childminder work intensely and impressively with many other professionals involved with each child, to agree on

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need to do better?

a targeted approach so that children receive the excellent level of support they need to thrive. n The outdoor learning environment has recently been greatly developed. This has

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need to do better?

14 January 2022 provided children with significant additional benefits. The space has been made accessible to all, with resources set out in an exciting and appealing way to encourage active involvement. n From the moment a child arrives in her care, the childminder strives to make every interaction with them meaningful. The childminder is highly skilled in the use of sign language and uses this to significantly develop children's communication and language skills. For example, young children are encouraged to communicate choices using sign language and visual aids. The childminder repeats words so that children hear the correct pronunciation, and she encourages them to count the number of butterflies they can see in a book. n The childminder has a deep understanding of how each child learns, and she promotes this at every opportunity. She skilfully gives children time to process and respond to instructions. The promotion of children's developing

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need to do better?

independence skills is given the utmost priority. Children are encouraged to use and manage their personal equipment by themselves, feed themselves and actively participate in their personal care routines. n The childminder and her co-childminder also provide overnight care for children. These facilities have been wholly considered in terms of ensuring children's safety and meeting their needs during the night. n Feedback from parents is overwhelmingly positive. They unanimously feed back that the childminder and her co-childminder are such an important part of their children's and families' lives, that they have an amazing bond with their child and are 'truly invaluable'. n The childminder goes above and beyond to ensure that she is fully versed about children's specific medical and health needs and, in this way, also provides valuable support and guidance to parents. Since registration, the childminder

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need to do better?

and her co-childminder have swiftly built up an enviable first-rate reputation among families and professionals also working with the children they care for. As a result, children thrive and have an extremely valuable early years education. n The childminder is impressively committed towards her continued professional development. She attends a wealth of specialist training to ensure that she is highly competent in her ability to meet every child's medical, educational and dietary needs. All medication administered to children is accurately logged to underpin children's safety and welfare.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a deep and excellent understanding of safeguarding and how this relates to the increased vulnerability of the children she cares for. She recognises the need to be extra vigilant when it comes to identifying potential signs and symptoms of abuse. This includes those relating to wider safeguarding issues, such as county lines and radicalisation. The childminder knows what to do if she has concerns about a child and who to refer these to.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY553592 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10174520 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 15 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Eaton Ford, St Neots. She operates during the day and overnight all year round, Monday to Sunday, except for family holidays. The childminder predominantly cares for children with complex needs. She works alongside another childminder. The childminder holds a childcare qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education for two-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 and the inspector had a discussion about how the curriculum and her premises are organised to meet children's needs. n The inspector observed the quality of education 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 present during the inspection. n The inspector and the childminder jointly evaluated 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, and the inspector took

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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

14 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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