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 Good

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The provision is good

Children arrive happily at the setting, ready to start their day. They are welcomed by the warm and nurturing childminder. Children have strong bonds with her. Younger children hold their arms up to the childminder where they embrace in a cuddle and are rocked to sleep. Children are provided with lots of praise, supporting their well-being. They enjoy being in each other's company. Children often smile at each other, and older children support the younger ones with accessing resources. They happily take turns with these, developing their social skills.

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The provision is good

Children have good physical skills. They participate in yoga sessions with the childminder, visit the local park and attend soft-play centres. Children are provided with a range of learning experiences. They enjoy observing the frogs in the pond and feeding the fish. Recently, children went to a country park where they explored an Iron Age Fort and viewed older buildings that were built in the 17th Century. This develops children's knowledge on the world around them, encouraging children to be inquisitive and extending their learning experiences.

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The provision is good

Children have good communication skills. Younger children express their needs vocally, which are met promptly by the childminder. Older children begin to use single words, which the childminder extends through play. For example, when children play with the toy cars, they say, 'Car' and the childminder replies, 'Yes, a blue car'. Children are also introduced to new vocabulary, including 'engine' and 'steering wheel', which helps to develop their language skills.

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need to do better?

n There is a good settling-in procedure for when children start at the setting. The childminder meets with parents to gain an understanding of children's interests, routines, stage of development and what their favourite toys are. She has recently attended a training course about how to prepare for new children. This has had a positive impact on her procedure, as she understands that children can settle easier if she is familiar with the parents and children before starting. The childminder begins to introduce herself to children with parents present, and invites the families to her home before starting. n The childminder has a range of resources for children to access. However, as children move around the environment, their access to books is more limited. Throughout the day, they do not access stories, sing songs or listen to rhymes with the childminder. This does not help children to develop their imagination

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need to do better?

and communication skills further. n Children learn about different cultures through celebrating different festivals. Families share the festivals they celebrate at home and the foods they eat. They

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need to do better?

24 April 2023 have recently learned about Eid and encouraged the older children to share information about the festival. Children recently made tea lights to celebrate Diwali, the festival of light. This helps them to gain an understanding of different cultures and communities. n The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She works closely with parents and other agencies, such as health visitors, to share information about children's progress and strategies to support their learning further. For example, the childminder uses visual aids for children to prepare for the next step in the routine, which has had a positive impact on children's behaviour. n The childminder has created close links with the local school and pre-school. She shares children's progress with other settings they attend, to maintain consistency between the settings. Children regularly attend events at the school,

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need to do better?

which helps them to become familiar with the environment. This supports their transition between the setting and primary school. However, children have too few opportunities to develop their independence, ready for the next stage in their development. Younger children are not given the opportunity to learn to feed themselves, while older children's shoes are taken off and noses wiped by the childminder, limiting their opportunity to do these things for themselves. n Parents speak highly of the childminder. They comment that children are comfortable and relaxed in the homely and caring environment. Parents say the childminder is dynamic and fun, and provides a range of activities, such as painting and cooking, as well as visiting the park and attending local toddler groups. They receive regular communication regarding what their children are doing.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has good knowledge on how to keep children safe. She keeps her knowledge up to date through attending regular training. The childminder regularly risk assesses her environment to ensure children remain safe. She is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse, including physical abuse, cuckooing, county lines, radicalisation and domestic abuse. The childminder speaks to older children about the importance of being safe online. She knows how to report any concerns about children, and any concerns that may be raised about herself or a household member.

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should:

n plan more opportunities for children to develop their love of reading through stories, songs and rhymes

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should:

24 April 2023 n consider how to provide children with more opportunities to develop their independencce.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY101614 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10264182 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 15 Date of previous inspection 7 June 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2002 and lives in Hardwick, Cambridgeshire. She operates Monday to Thursday from 8am to 5.30pm and on Friday from 8am to 4pm, all year round, except for family holidays and bank holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

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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 and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the areas of learning, the curriculum and what they want children to learn. n The inspector observed a planned activity and evaluated this together with the childminder. n The inspector spoke to children during the inspection. n The inspector took into account parents' views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including the childminder's first- aid certificate.

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Inspection activities

24 April 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

24 April 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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