Childminder in Cambridgeshire

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 have built exceptional bonds with the childminder and flourish in her care. They arrive happy and are excited to explore in this calm and nurturing setting. Children are confident with their social skills. They smile and talk to visitors and involve them in their play. This shows that children feel safe and secure within their environment. Children are deeply engaged and inquisitive learners. For instance, children discuss the difference between a fertilised and unfertilised egg from the childminder's ducks. Children behave extremely well. They demonstrate very good manners and respect for each other.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder has an excellent understanding of the early years foundation stage. This shows through the superb progress children make in all areas of their learning and development. Children develop a wonderful understanding of the natural world around them. For example, they understand if they cut the leaves on the strawberry plant then this will help them to grow for next year. Children learn how to keep themselves safe and take manageable risk. They know how to safely climb the playground stairs in wet weather and to hold on to the handrails. Children have developed a love for books. They gather around the childminder and enjoy her enthusiastic storytelling.

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need to do better?

n The quality of education is outstanding. The childminder has an exceptional understanding of what children know and can do and what their next steps are. She offers a rich and inspiring curriculum, which is planned around children's individual needs and interests. Children are confident learners and have high levels of engagement. For instance, children explore with cornflour and cocoa powder, and they excitedly discuss how they are making soup and ice cream. n Children have excellent levels of independence from an early age. The childminder teaches children how to be independent and to take pride in completing tasks for themselves. They confidently use the toilet on their own, and they understand the importance of washing their hands before mealtimes. n Relationships with parents are highly effective. The childminder keeps them well informed about their children's learning and development. She provides parents

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need to do better?

with ideas to help support the children's next steps at home. Parents comment that they feel lucky to attend this nurturing and caring setting and that their children make excellent progress in her care. n Children develop an excellent understanding about leading a healthy lifestyle and of the natural world around them. They plant a range of fruit and vegetables, including tomatoes and strawberries, and watch them grow. When ready, the children harvest them and enjoy eating them for their snack. Children go on regular outings and have plenty of opportunities for fresh air and exercise.

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need to do better?

31 August 2022 The childminder thinks of creative ways to teach children about oral health. For example, they use toothbrushes on a pretend tooth set to learn how to brush their teeth correctly. n The childminder provides brilliant support for children's communication and language development. She skilfully questions children to extend their language and thinking skills. The childminder is methodical in explaining the concepts of new words to children, which helps children to gain and use their breadth of vocabulary. Children also learn to converse in other languages. The childminder expertly uses conversations, songs and stories to introduce new languages into children's play. n The childminder meets with other local childminders to support the children's socialisation skills and learning experiences. She develops children's understanding of different cultures and their local community. The childminder

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need to do better?

values every child's individual belief, and she plans experiences to help children learn about different cultures. This helps children to recognise what makes them unique and to understand the world around them. n The childminder is very reflective and passionate about continually raising the quality of education she provides to children. She attends regular courses and training to enhance her knowledge and improve her professional development. This ensures she can continue to support children's learning and development to the highest standard.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a thorough understanding of child protection and how to keep children safe. She can identify when a child may be at risk from harm and how to report these concerns to the relevant agencies. The childminder understands what to do if an allegation is made about herself or a member of her family. She ensures that her safeguarding knowledge is kept up to date, and she completes regular training. The childminder completes daily risk assessments of her environment. She has robust systems in place to ensure that her premises are safe for children and that they are kept safe when going on outings.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY445571 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10231829 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 3 Date of previous inspection 30 September 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2012. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection that the childminder received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken this into account in their evaluation. n The childminder showed the inspector the areas of her home that children access. They discussed how the childminder organises her setting and plans the curriculum and experiences for children. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation. n The inspector observed interactions between the childminder and the children and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector and the childminder reflected on a learning experience for the children. n The inspector took account of the views of parents.

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Inspection activities

31 August 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

31 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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