Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children are extremely secure in the care of the childminder, who is responsive and caring. Toddlers regularly climb onto the childminder's lap for a refreshing cuddle. Children are enthusiastic and motivated to learn, giving themselves and each other praise when they achieve new skills. They are curious about visitors to the setting. Children confidently move around the childminder's home, selecting toys to play with. Children show warmth to the childminder and each other. All children behave well. Children develop age-appropriate independence. The childminder encourages them to find their own coats and help with putting on their shoes. As children attempt to put on their hat, they demonstrate high levels of determination, persisting until they succeed.

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The provision is good

The childminder has strong links with other local childminders, meeting regularly with them. This gives children the opportunity to socialise with other children, something the childminder recognises has been limited for children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the pandemic, parents now drop children off and collect them at the childminder's door. Despite this, the childminder gives parents substantive feedback about their child's day, helping to reassure parents and promote consistency of care.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has high ambition for all children. She provides a varied curriculum, and children have access to a good range of resources and activities. She assesses children's progress and identifies next steps for their learning. However, the childminder is not always as clear as she could be about her curriculum intent and how this builds on what children already know and can do, in order to help promote children's development to the optimum. n The childminder supports children's language development well. She naturally narrates children's play, responding positively to non-verbal communication and emerging words. The childminder talks clearly and slowly, highlighting key words as children play and explore. n The childminder shows a good understanding of children's typical development and is quick to pick up where there may be any potential delay or difficulty. She works alongside parents to support children's progress, including signposting to

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need to do better?

other services when required. n The childminder makes good use of music sessions to support children's learning. Children are encouraged to wave scarves up and down and round and round, supporting large-muscle development. Children start to pick up on the speed and pitch of music as they learn to shake shakers fast and slow, and practise hitting drums loudly and softly. n The childminder supports children to develop early mathematical understanding.

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need to do better?

9 March 2022 As they play with rice, she helps the children to notice which pots are small or big. The childminder talks to the children about containers being full and she counts as they scoop with spoons. n Overall, the childminder engages well with the children in her care. She comes down to their level as she joins in with their games and interests. The childminder judges well when children are losing interest in activities and either provides different resources to use or brings the activity to a close. As result, children mostly spend sustained periods of time focused and engaged in their play and learning. However, when in the garden, the childminder's interactions are not as robust, and the level of learning for children is not quite as strong. n Children are learning to keep healthy and well. They regularly have drinks of water, offering beakers to their friends. All children eat the savoury part of their

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need to do better?

packed lunch before moving on to fruit and yogurt. Before mealtimes and after playing in the garden, the childminder supports children to wash their hands. Children of all ages know to rub their hands together and older children know how to access soap from the automatic dispenser. n The childminder values professional development and undertakes regular online short courses. She makes use of her close links with other childminders to discuss ideas for activities and changes to early years practice. n Parents receive termly updates about their children's learning, along with ideas to further support learning at home. Parents are complimentary about the service the childminder provides. They value the support she provides and talk about how their children love attending.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibility to safeguard children. She is confident in recognising signs of abuse and neglect, including areas such as the 'Prevent' duty. The childminder is clear when and how she would contact external agencies if she had worries about a child's welfare. The childminder understands how to respond to a child protection allegation against an adult in her home.

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should:

n refine the planning and implementation of the curriculum so that it is always clearly sequenced, building precisely on what children already know and can do n enhance teaching with children outside, so that opportunities for learning and development are as robust when children choose to play outdoors.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY239788 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10113138 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 5 Date of previous inspection 3 March 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2002 and lives in Great Cambourne, Cambridgeshire. She holds a relevant childcare qualification at level 3. The childminder provides her service from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector looked at all areas of the home used for childminding. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder about the activities that she plans and how these activities benefit children's learning and development. n The inspector observed the childminder playing with the children during a range of activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector took account of the views of parents expressed in written responses. She spoke to children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector sampled a variety of documentation, such as first-aid certificates, policies and procedures, suitability checks of all persons living at the premises, and children's records. 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 took that into account in their evaluation of the setting.

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Inspection activities

9 March 2022 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

9 March 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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