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 enjoy their time with this fun and engaging childminder. She cares for them in a bright and well-resourced environment. Children have lots of opportunities to be physically active. They skilfully control scooters as they steer themselves round the patio area. As they take turns blowing bubbles, children squeal with delight and run after the bubbles to pop them. Children enjoy activities away from the childminder's home, such as visits to local toddler groups, libraries and parks. This helps to extend children's understanding of the wider world around them. The childminder supports children to learn to keep themselves safe. For example, children learn about stranger danger and how to cross roads safely.

p.2

The provision is good

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, parents and carers now drop children off and collect them at the childminder's front door. Despite this, children settle well and have positive relationships with the childminder. The childminder makes good use of electronic communication methods to keep parents updated about their child's well-being and learning. Parents are very complimentary about the childminder. They describe her as approachable and caring and say they 'feel lucky to have found her'.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder offers good quality education. She provides a varied range of resources and activities that generally support children's interests and development. She assesses children's progress and identifies next steps for their learning. However, the childminder is not always as clear as possible about her curriculum intentions and how these build on what children already know and can do. n The childminder supports children's language and communication well. She talks clearly with children as they play, introducing new words. She listens to children as they explain their ideas, giving them the time they need to communicate their thoughts. Children enjoy sharing books with the childminder and can recite words and phrases from familiar stories. Older children are starting to develop an awareness of the letters and sounds that make up their own names. n The childminder provides good opportunities for early mathematical and

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need to do better?

scientific understanding. She regularly encourages the children to count, and introduces concepts, such as 'whole, half' and 'quarter'. Older children know whether things are big or small. As children fill pots with water, they predict how much more they need to fill them. As children place cut fruit in the water, the childminder helps them to notice if they sink or float. When watching bubbles in the garden, the childminder talks about air currents and the wind. n Children are developing age-appropriate independence. Older children confidently take themselves to the toilet and know how to wash their hands.

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need to do better?

19 May 2022 Children are polite and regularly say please and thank you without prompting. The childminder reminds them of the importance of tidying up and looking after resources. n Children are learning to keep healthy and well. The childminder reminds them to drink regularly on warm days and helps the children notice if they need a jumper when playing outside. She provides a good range of healthy, home-cooked meals and snacks. n The childminder communicates frequently with parents about their children's interests and learning, ensuring a consistent approach to their development. She has made links with other settings that children attend. However, the childminder does not always make the most of these links to fully support children's ongoing progress. n The childminder values ongoing professional development and has attended several online courses recently. However, she recognises the impact, due to

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need to do better?

COVID-19, that reduced face-to-face training and engagement with other childcare professionals has had on her ability to keep up to speed with very best practice.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder fully understands her responsibilities to safeguard children and protect their welfare. She demonstrates a strong understanding of the different signs and symptoms of abuse; this includes wider safeguarding issues, such as female genital mutilation and domestic abuse. The childminder is clear when and how she would contact external agencies if she had worries about a child's welfare. The childminder knows how to respond to a child protection allegation against an adult in her home. The environment is safe and clean and children are well supervised.

p.3

should:

n broaden opportunities for professional development, to enhance skills in 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 partnership working with other early years settings that children attend, so that precise information is shared consistently and children benefit from continuity and a more collaborative approach to their learning and development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY298170 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10113017 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7 Date of previous inspection 24 June 2015

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2004 and lives in Histon. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures it is safe and suitable. She spoke to the inspector about her intentions for children's learning. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector through written testimonials. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation. n The inspector spoke with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

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Inspection activities

19 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

19 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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