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 Good

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The provision is outstanding

Children are excited and eager to explore at this calm and nurturing setting. They are welcomed with enthusiasm and warmth and take pleasure in the childminder's attention, settling quickly to explore the experiences on offer. The children are the childminder's whole focus which means they feel safe and secure and build strong reciprocal attachments from the start. These warm attachments build their confidence and self-esteem, and children are consistently happy and engaged, demonstrating high levels of involvement. Children therefore learn quickly and make rapid progress from their starting points, receiving enthusiastic praise from the childminder who delights in their achievements.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder knows the children extremely well and is skilled in assessing their level of development. The curriculum on offer to babies builds on what they already know and is expertly sequenced to support their next steps. For example, babies develop physical skills and independence at mealtimes, back-and-forth interactions foster early communications, and sound exploration reinforces listening and attention skills.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder builds strong trusting relationships with parents who are exceptionally happy with the care and support provided. Parents check in regularly during the day and share photographs and videos offering the childminder a wonderful insight into the children's home life. The childminder shares key learning moments and information about children's care during daily feedback and provides parents with guidance that supports children's emerging needs. For example, she works closely with parents to support baby-led weaning. This nurtures a seamless flow of shared information supporting children's individual needs, while reinforcing the strong bonds already built with parents.

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need to do better?

n The childminder prioritises children's communication and language development. She uses sensitive extension and repetition to encourage speech, naming objects and repeating and recasting words children say. Back-and-forth interactions with babies are charmingly engaging and support their babbling and early attempts at sounds. Listening skills are promoted using sound games and through sharing cloth books, which beautifully support babies' explorations of texture and develop their fine motor skills and hand-to-eye coordination. Early mathematics concepts, such as number names, number correspondence and spatial awareness are incorporated seamlessly in playful situations, and children increasingly anticipate number names and repeated refrains. n Mealtimes are highly effective learning experiences. Independence is promoted and children have time to practise new skills and enjoy the experience of eating

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need to do better?

23 March 2023 and drinking independently. Fresh water is always available, and sleep times are wonderfully calm and nurturing, further supporting the strong bonds between the childminder and babies. The childminder is skilled at observing the needs of babies and picking up on their cues, adapting routines to meet their individual requirements and providing an exceptionally high level of care and learning. n Children play together well. The childminder has high expectations of their behaviour and intervenes gently to promote turn taking and to redirect attention when necessary. The childminder models good manners and provides consistent praise and encouragement. Children respond positively and benefit from these consistent messages, demonstrating high levels of well-being and enjoyment while in the setting. n The childminder is passionate about her own professional development and has focused on expanding her knowledge by undertaking refreshers in regulatory

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need to do better?

training, including first aid and safeguarding, and by enrolling on the Department for Education's professional development training programme in recent months. This thirst for knowledge and further learning emphasises the childminder's commitment to providing a high-quality teaching and learning environment for children, which consistently grows and deepens over time. n The childminder has an excellent understanding of risk management, and the safety of the children is her top priority. She has thoroughly risk assessed the environment and sensitively supports children's physical movements. For example, babies quickly develop confidence in walking and are able to pull themselves up and toddle safely without constraint. Children are physically active in the setting, and babies build strength in their muscles as they navigate around the environment. Excellent hygiene routines reinforce healthy messages

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need to do better?

about nutrition, and there are many opportunities for rest and play throughout the day. n The childminder provides rich, community-focused experiences. The children visit local parks and undertake daily walks, which familiarises them with the local area and prepares them for future transitions to primary school. Children learn about the wider world in playful experiences with small-world resources, and practise their cookery skills in the home-corner kitchen mimicking what they see at home, while learning about healthy foods and identifying fruits and vegetables.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has excellent knowledge of child protection and potential harm from extremist views or behaviours. She understands her responsibility to keep children safe from harm. The childminder has extensive knowledge of the signs that would cause her to be concerned about a child's welfare. She understands local safeguarding procedures and is confident in the process to escalate concerns. The childminder has exceptional knowledge of risk assessing and understands how to remove or minimise risks safely and effectively. She is vigilant in her supervision of children. The childminder has appropriate documentation and records in place.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY416222 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10280376 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 1 Date of previous inspection 17 August 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2010 and lives in Cambridge. She operates all year round, from 12pm to 6pm, Tuesday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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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 childminder. n The inspector talked with the childminder about her understanding of the requirements for safeguarding and welfare and learning and development. n The childminder showed the inspector around the premises and discussed how she ensures that they are safe and suitable. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children. n The inspector viewed key documentation. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

23 March 2023 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

23 March 2023 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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