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 make excellent progress and thrive in the care of this nurturing, highly skilled childminder. Her meticulous attention in getting to know children means that they settle quickly and build secure, trusting relationships with her. The childminder's excellent teaching practice means that children gain the maximum benefit from every interaction. For example, young children become immersed in naming animals in a book. They beam with delight as the childminder helps them to sing an associated song. The childminder then introduces toy animals and animal pictures, maintaining children's attention and enabling them to use a range of resources to support and reinforce their learning.

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The provision is outstanding

Children respond to the positive environment and the childminder's high expectations. They are excited about their learning and patiently persevere. For instance, very young children persist in trying to throw and catch a balloon. They show great pride when they achieve this, with other children clapping in celebration. With the childminder's sensitive, well-considered support, young children gain a mature understanding of assessing risks and keeping safe. For example, when balancing on logs, they consider what shoes they have on and if the weather has made the logs slippery. The childminder is an excellent role model and children mirror her genuinely interested, calm, kind attitude. Even very young children show an advanced understanding of feelings, creating their own descriptions to add to their 'feelings tree'.

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need to do better?

n The childminder's ambitious curriculum relates directly to children's developmental needs. She accurately assesses children's progress, skilfully using this information to determine what they need to learn next and to offer any additional support. She offers children a wealth of stimulating play opportunities that successfully aid them in making swift progress. n The childminder continues to develop her excellent practice. She accurately relates children's needs to her own professional development. For example, the childminder developed her knowledge of promoting mathematics after recognising this need. Children enjoy activities, such as weighing pumpkins, where they compare and predict weights. Their confidence and enjoyment of this activity inspires them to make further comparisons and they work together to develop their own measurement unit. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive precisely

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need to do better?

tailored support. The childminder expertly adapts her practice, ensuring that all children benefit from every activity and play opportunity. The childminder builds excellent partnerships with other professionals working with children, enabling her to fully understand children's needs and promote their development to the

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need to do better?

16 November 2023 highest level. n The childminder's sensitive, well-considered teaching techniques support children in appreciating diversity. For example, young children bring in boxes of items that are special to them. They share these with their friends, initiating many discussions about culture and family traditions. n Parents speak exceptionally highly of the childminder. They state that she is instrumental in the exceptional progress their children make. Parents report that communication with the childminder is excellent and she works in partnership with them to promote children's development. n Children of all ages show a genuine enjoyment of books. The childminder's deep knowledge and excellent teaching methods enable her to offer children innovative opportunities to appreciate books in numerous ways. For instance, they read a favourite book in the woods and are inspired to collect items to make 'witchy sticks'. Books come to life, for example, as the children read about

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need to do better?

a farm and then visit one and make their own bread. n The childminder truly appreciates the importance of supporting children to develop their language and communication skills, expertly considering this at every level for each child. For example, the consistent use of sign language means that all children competently use numerous signs to aid their early communication. The childminder is an excellent role model, speaking clearly and successfully supporting children to use familiar words, learn new words and build sentences. For instance, young children talk about a 'smooth ball and a spiky ball'. n The childminder makes excellent use of children's interests, carefully considering how she can extend these. For instance, very young children enjoy playing with scarves. They are enthralled as they examine these through holes in a box. They develop their smaller muscles and coordination as they put their fingers through

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need to do better?

to grip the scarves. They then delight in exploring the textures and colours while listening to a rainbow song.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder fully understands her role in protecting children, prioritising their welfare at all times. She has a comprehensive knowledge of safeguarding, frequently completing training to keep this up to date. The childminder knows how to recognise any possible concerns about a child's welfare and report these to the correct professional without delay. Her extensive understanding includes wider issues, such as female genital mutilation and radicalisation and the effect these can have on children and their families. Furthermore, the childminder appreciates the possible risks associated with use of the internet and takes effective action to protect children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY496649 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10301032 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 11 Date of previous inspection 19 January 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in St Neots. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Tuesday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder is registered to provide funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider 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's setting. n The inspector observed activities and assessed the impact these have on children's learning. She carried out a tour of the home with the childminder to discuss and understand how the early years provision is organised. n The childminder and inspector reviewed an activity together. n The inspector viewed relevant documentation, including the safeguarding procedures and the suitability of household members. n The inspector interacted with children at appropriate times throughout the inspection and considered their reactions. She also talked with parents and viewed their written feedback.

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Inspection activities

16 November 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

16 November 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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