Gamble, Kitty

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 thrive in this exceptionally nurturing and welcoming environment. They have very high levels of confidence and make independent decisions from a rich and varied range of activities that immediately stimulate their curiosity and interest. Children focus on their chosen activity for extremely long periods of time and display excellent attitudes towards learning. For example, they work out how to create complex three-dimensional structures, such as a cube and pyramid, from magnetic shapes. Children are highly motivated individuals and challenge themselves in their play. They continue to explore the versatility of the shapes and proudly create different-sized rectangles. Children are excited to make bird feeders to hang in the childminder's garden. They have exceptional control and coordination of their hands from a young age. Children use real tools, such as a screwdriver, to pierce holes in the sides of orange skins, under the close

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The provision is outstanding

supervision of the childminder. They have superb critical thinking skills as they work out that they need to make the holes bigger to enable them to thread the twine through.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder supports children very well to develop their self-care skills, so they can independently manage their own personal needs. Children talk about which is their left and right foot as they put on their shoes. The childminder provides excellent opportunities for children to be physically active and learn about a healthy lifestyle, including how to care for their teeth.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has an excellent knowledge of each child and very swiftly responds to their individual needs. She has a superb understanding of child development. The childminder knows exactly where children are in their learning and what they need to learn next. Children benefit from a personalised programme of learning which supports their rapid progress. n The childminder supports children's speech and communication skills extremely well. Children are confident speakers from a young age. They thoroughly enjoy sharing photographs of previous experiences with visitors and use complex sentences to recall what they are doing. The childminder provides very clear commentary to her own and children's actions. She introduces children to the meaning of complex words, such as 'hibernation', and is highly animated when reading stories. This immediately engages children's attention and they actively participate.

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need to do better?

n Children build exceedingly close emotional attachments with the childminder. They truly welcome her sensitive interaction in their play. Children's behaviour is excellent. They show high levels of respect and kindness as they eagerly prepare snack for others.

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need to do better?

11 February 2022 n Partnerships with parents are exceptional. The childminder obtains extensive information from parents about children's preferred way of learning and what they know and can do when they first begin attending. She makes excellent use of this information to support children to swiftly settle and to plan highly stimulating experiences. Parents speak very highly about the childminder. They comment how they 'love' her 'caring character' and how their children 'learn a new skill or word' every time they attend. Parents appreciate how the childminder shares her superb knowledge of child development with them to support their children's learning and development at home. n The childminder reflects well on all aspects of her practice and setting. She continuously evaluates the effectiveness of her provision and makes immediate adjustments to ensure the highest possible standards for all children.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is exceptionally mindful of the negative impact the COVID-19 pandemic may have on children and their families. She places a very high priority on children's well-being. The childminder is meticulous in prioritising the continued enhancement of her own knowledge and skills. Recent training to support the mental health of children and parents has had a positive impact. Children are resilient and talk about their feelings. They persevere to complete challenging tasks and are very proud of their achievements. n The childminder has established strong links with other childminders in the local area. She uses her wealth of experience and knowledge to share high-quality practice to help raise standards for more children. The childminder meets regularly with them and the children they care for at organised groups and on outings in the wider community. Children benefit from excellent opportunities to

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need to do better?

build wider friendship groups. Weekly visits to a nature reserve offer them extensive opportunities to learn about the changing of seasons, respect wildlife and develop physical strength, for example as they roll long tree trunks.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has an excellent knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and child protection. This includes wider issues that can affect children and their families, such as individuals or groups with extreme views and behaviours. The childminder frequently refreshes her safeguarding training to keep her knowledge up to date. She knows precisely how to recognise possible sings of abuse or neglect and how to report these in a timely manner to the relevant agency. The childminder demonstrates an excellent awareness of what could make a person unsuitable or disqualified from working with children, enabling her to further promote children's welfare.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY395378 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10113179 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 9 Date of previous inspection 3 February 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2009 and lives in Gamlingay. She operates from 7.30am until 6pm Tuesday to Thursday and from 7.30am until 3pm on Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 4. She provides funded early education for three-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 childminder. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and in the childminder's garden. The inspector assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the childminder. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder at appropriate times during the inspection. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of individuals living in the household. n The inspector interacted with children during the inspection. She took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided and discussed with the childminder how she reflects on the service she provides.

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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

11 February 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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