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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children are content and happy in the care of the childminder and her co- childminders. They are constantly busy as they play and explore. They confidently move around the home to find toys they want to play with. Children learn about space and shape, such as when they complete puzzles. They look carefully at the pieces to find out where they fit. Children find other ways to use puzzle pieces. For example, when they notice a hole in the middle, they find it very amusing to use it to play peekaboo with adults.

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The provision is good

Children's speech and language skills are developing well, including children who speak English as an additional language. The childminder makes sure that she learns key words in the other languages children speak. This helps her to understand their needs and requests. Children use clear words and short sentences to describe what they are doing. For example, during a baking activity, children cut out a star-shaped biscuit and correctly say, 'I am making a star.' Interactions between the children and the childminder are warm and friendly, and children's behaviour is good.

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need to do better?

n During the COVID-19 pandemic, the childminder and her co-childminders made changes to their practice. Due to national lockdowns and working from home, parents' needs for childcare changed. This resulted in the childminders caring for younger children. The childminder and her co-childminders have created a warm, homely environment where young children feel safe and secure. n The childminder is aware of where children are in their development. She observes them closely and identifies what children need to learn next. The childminder's effective planning for children's ongoing learning supports the good progress they make. n Young children's hand-to-eye coordination is remarkably good. Using one hand, they skilfully feed a bubble wand into a thin tube so that they can make more bubbles. At other times, children squeeze and roll out dough to make biscuits. These opportunities help children to build the skills they need for writing and

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need to do better?

using tools later in their education. n Parents speak positively about the childminder and her co-childminders. They say that their children receive individual care and attention and are safe and happy. Parents state that the childminder provides them with good information about what activities their children take part in and how they are developing. This helps them to support their children's learning at home. n The childminder helps children to understand how to build healthy lifestyles. She provides many opportunities for children to be active outside, such as in the garden and on outings to local parks. The childminder successfully weans

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need to do better?

4 May 2022 children from drinking fruit juice, as it contains lots of sugar, to having regular drinks of water. n The childminder supports children's early mathematical understanding. As they roll dough, she narrates what children are doing and uses positional language, such as 'forwards' and 'backwards'. The childminder counts with children as they add icing dots onto their biscuits. She is aware that young children are not yet at an age to know all colour names. With this in mind, she draws their attention to matching colours. For example, she says, 'The rolling pin is orange, just like your apron.' n Children enjoy using books. They sit close to the childminder as she shares stories with them. Children look carefully at the pictures and describe what they can see. They are beginning to understand emotions as they notice what events make characters in the book happy and sad. n The childminder supports children to develop healthy lifestyles and provides

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need to do better?

nutritious, balanced meals. Some children sit and eat these very well, while others, at times, need more support to eat the healthy food that is provided. The childminder does not always offer those children who refuse the healthy food the encouragement they need to learn about the importance of making healthy choices for themselves. n The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to her work. She regularly talks about her practice with her co-childminders and they identify areas for development. However, the childminder is not sufficiently focused on identifying and using professional development opportunities to further extend her knowledge and teaching skills.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of safeguarding. She knows how to keep children safe and promote their welfare. The childminder describes the signs and symptoms of abuse. She is aware that these may indicate that children are at risk of harm or being exposed to extremist behaviour. The childminder knows how to contact relevant agencies in the local area to seek advice or to make referrals. She has clear safeguarding policies and procedures which she uses to underpin her practice. The childminder undertakes safeguarding training to keep her knowledge relevant and up to date.

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should:

n provide more support and encouragement to children at mealtimes to teach them the importance of making healthy food choices n build on professional development plans to strengthen knowledge and raise the

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should:

4 May 2022 quality of teaching to the highest levels.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2573634 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10232903 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 13 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2020 and lives in Trumpington, Cambridge. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works in partnership with two other registered childminders.

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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 her evaluation of the setting. n The inspector looked at the areas of the home that are used for childcare and discussed with the childminder how she operates her practice and implements her curriculum. n The inspector observed the childminder joining in activities with children and discussed the learning that was taking place with her. They discussed the needs of individual children and talked about the progress they are making. n A sample of policies and procedures was looked at by the inspector, including documents relating to the suitability of household members, safeguarding and complaints. n The inspector took account of the views of parents and discussed the childminder's reflections of her practice with her.

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Inspection activities

4 May 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

4 May 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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