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

The childminder uses her expert knowledge and skilful interactions to create a rich learning environment for children. Her high-quality curriculum captures children's interests and growing skills and they become engrossed in their self-chosen tasks. The childminder understands the importance of encouraging children to keep trying when they encounter difficulties, to help them be successful learners. Children make sustained progress, rapidly developing the key skills they need to be ready for the next stage in their learning. They quickly become independent learners, showing high levels of curiosity.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder skilfully supports children to develop superb self-control and solve problems by talking to their friends. She encourages children to use their words to explain why they do not like something or if they need help. Children settle well and have formed secure bonds with the childminder, who is warm and caring towards them. The childminder has high expectations of children's behaviour. She helps children to understand about sharing and taking turns from an early age. All children move with confidence and skill around the setting, demonstrating their strong understanding of how to keep themselves safe. They display exceptionally positive behaviour. As a result, children develop resilience and a confidence in their abilities that encourages a positive attitude to learning.

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need to do better?

n Children are highly confident in managing their personal care needs from a young age. They help themselves to wipes to clean their hands and faces, disposing of the used wipe in the bin. Children readily have a go at putting their shoes on and persevere to try and fasten them. n The childminder maintains excellent partnerships with parents and offers them many practical ways to communicate. She invites parents to contribute to their child's learning, sharing their child's progress and activity ideas with them. The childminder encourages parents to continue to guide their children's learning at home. n Children enjoy a wide variety of opportunities to visit the local community or attend local groups in the library, expanding their social interactions. The childminder offers interesting experiences, such as shopping, as learning opportunities. Children help to write lists to remind them of what they need to

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need to do better?

buy, which supports their early literacy skills. n The childminder is highly responsive to children's play and watches carefully as children explore in their own way. She waits for the right moment to expertly extend their play, making suggestions and asking questions to encourage their thinking. n The childminder provides well-placed support for young children's

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need to do better?

22 November 2023 communication skills. She talks to children about what they are doing during activities and asks questions that engage their thinking. The childminder knows that language development is so important and strives to fill the children's days with words. n The childminder recognises the importance of reading to children to help foster their enjoyment of books. They join in, confidently pointing to the characters or objects on the page as the childminder names them. This also provides young children with further exposure to language and builds on their growing vocabulary. n Children thoroughly enjoy playing outside each day, in the garden or at the local park. They recall knowledge that they have learned and confidently explain how the tadpoles turned into frogs. Children excitedly observe the water snails in the wildlife pond and discuss how the shell is the snail's home. The childminder expertly develops children's mathematical skills as they competently count the

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need to do better?

number of snails with confidence. n The childminder makes excellent use of any new knowledge gained from research or training. She continually builds on the quality of her teaching, so that children make the best possible progress. The childminder demonstrates an exceptional drive to provide the highest quality practice.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Children's welfare is paramount. The childminder frequently refreshes her knowledge of this area by completing extensive research and training. She has an excellent knowledge of the possible risks to children's welfare. The childminder understands the importance of following the correct procedures to report any concerns to the relevant professionals, to protect children from harm. She understands how to manage allegations of harm or abuse against her or anyone who lives in her home. The childminder regularly checks her home to ensure that the environment is safe for children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY496127 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10300978 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 6 Date of previous inspection 5 January 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Cambridge. She operates all year round from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides 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 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 inspector observed activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact these have on children's learning. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about her curriculum and what she wants children to learn. n The inspector looked at written feedback from parents and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including the childminder's first- aid certificate and records of children's attendance.

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Inspection activities

22 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

22 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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