Agar, Rebecca Jayne

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 thrive in the care of this childminder. They show great excitement in the opportunities the childminder provides them and an eagerness to learn. Children relish the time spent in the garden. They explore natural materials, learn how to respect their environment and how to keep themselves safe. Even the youngest children remain highly engaged in their chosen activities and spend significant lengths of time engrossed in their play. For example, older children become absorbed in making 'potions', using natural materials, paint and water. Younger children express their artistic skills as they paint with various authentic kitchen utensils and mix paint and mud together.

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The provision is outstanding

All children are learning to meet their own needs. The childminder encourages young children to do things for themselves, such as putting their own boots on. The level of confidence and independence children show is exemplary. The childminder has exceptionally high expectations of all children, which helps them to rapidly progress in this area. Children show high levels of resilience and perseverance. When encountering challenges, they show determination until they succeed. For example, when younger children try to turn the tap on the water urn, the childminder gives praise and encouragement and celebrates the skills used.

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need to do better?

n Children benefit enormously from the childminder's ability to think up imaginative teaching strategies and share her own awe and wonder of the world in which we live. The childminder shows a deep understanding of how children learn. She demonstrates an excellent commitment to her own professional development and it is clear that she uses the knowledge she acquires to consistently benefit the children. For example, the childminder's recent training in developing curiosity and intrigue is being used to greatly enhance children's understanding of nature and the world around them. n The childminder is extremely adept at connecting children's previous learning and building on it further. For example, as children play with the play dough, they discover it smells of lemon. The childminder helps children to remember the herbs and fruits they used to make the play dough. Children eagerly seek out the lemon balm plant and talk about the blackberries that made the purple

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need to do better?

colour. n Children are exceptionally confident speakers and develop excellent communication skills. The childminder skilfully weaves new words into conversation as children play. She takes time to listen and extend children's sentences by modelling language and adding in extra words. For example, when children say 'pigeon', the childminder extends the sentence and says, 'The pigeon is sitting on the roof.'

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need to do better?

17 August 2022 n The childminder encourages children to make decisions and express their views about the resources in the home. For example, children visit the local charity shop to buy resources. Children learn about protecting the environment they live in and recycling and reusing things. This supports children to feel valued when making choices and to understand the world around them. n Children develop a deep understanding of mathematics. The childminder incorporates mathematics into everyday activities. Children enjoy learning about the concepts of 'half' and 'quarter'. They apply their new knowledge quickly. Children identify a 'half' and 'quarter' when eating their plums as a snack. n Children develop their physical skills. They gain fantastic control of both their large- and small-muscle movements. Young children delight in spinning, swinging and tapping hanging vinyl records. They practise climbing in and out of

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need to do better?

empty plant containers. They have endless opportunities to balance, climb and run on their daily trips. n Children's behaviour is exceptional. They patiently wait their turn and show care and concern for each other. For example, older children pass water bottles to younger children when they need a drink. They play in harmony together and seek each other out to share experiences as they mix concoctions together in the mud kitchen. n Partnerships with parents are highly positive. Parents feel that their children thrive and make excellent progress in the childminder's care. They feel that their children learn through the fantastic experiences she provides.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has an excellent knowledge of child protection procedures. She is confident and clear in her understanding of the signs that may indicate a child is at risk of abuse. The childminder is confident about who to report her concerns to, including if there is an allegation against herself or a family member. She risk assesses her home and outings to keep children safe. The childminder ensures that her first-aid training is up to date. She provides a safe and secure environment for children to play in while helping them to learn how to keep themselves safe.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2540887 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10215351 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 5 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2019 and lives in Soham, Cambridgeshire. She operates all year round from 7.30am until 5pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. In some circumstances, the childminder may offer overnight care. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. She holds qualified teacher status.

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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 showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures that they are safe and suitable. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about her intentions for children's learning. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while with the childminder. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The childminder shared parents' written comments with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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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

17 August 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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