Smith, Susan Anne

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

The way the childminder champion's children's individuality is exemplary. Children thrive with endless opportunities to freely express their unique characters. High- quality learning experiences are plentiful, and the childminder always shows the utmost care and respect for children. With her extensive knowledge of the early years foundation stage, she expertly provides indoor and outdoor environments that are stimulating, spark tremendous curiosity and help children make connections in all areas of their learning.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder extends children's communication and language development superbly well, and children make rapid progress from their starting points. While children try to cut the stems off some roses during a potion-making activity, the childminder uses words such as 'woody' to describe the tough stems. As the childminder introduces new vocabulary in real-life contexts, children develop an understanding of what words mean and confidently begin to use this language purposefully.

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The provision is outstanding

When young children want to explore the pretend jam, their peers are making, the childminder skilfully uses this opportunity to nurture thoughtfulness and empathy. She applauds the child's mixing skills and suggests they could teach their younger peers. This exceptional interaction promotes positive behaviours, such as sharing, when children develop kindness in abundance, by inviting their eager peers into their play.

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need to do better?

n The childminder offers bespoke settling-in sessions where she gathers in-depth knowledge from parents, and any other setting a child may attend before they start. This collaborative and child-centred approach means children feel safe, and they swiftly build strong attachments to the childminder. Children develop high levels of concentration, as activities and resources are meticulously planned around their current interests and stage of development. n Activities children experience, such as making 'dandelion honey' and 'rose petal jam' are truly remarkable. Children excitedly recall picking the rose petals and describe how they lost their colour in the hot water. The childminder asks what happened when they added pectin. Children's animated faces, express the wonder and magic they experienced as they gleefully say, 'the colour returned'. Skilful questioning from the childminder means children consolidate and embed

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need to do better?

their learning, through recalling what they have previously learned. n The conscientious childminder frequently talks positively about children, in front of visitors and their peers. This affirmation boosts their self-esteem and means they effortlessly make friendships, as they feel accepted and confident in

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need to do better?

4 July 2024 themselves. Eruptions of laughter echo as children play cooperatively and children are often heard congratulating each other's achievements. n The childminder reflects on children's individual goals and interests during their play. She uses this knowledge exceptionally well, to further support and extend on what children already know and can do. For example, after watching children counting a group of cars, the childminder extends their mathematical knowledge of number sequences. She sets them a challenge to arrange the cars in order from smallest to largest. Her genuine enthusiasm and admiration on their successful completion fosters their perseverance, and the confidence to keep trying to learn something new. n Parent partnership is of paramount importance. The childminder shares incredibly detailed and regular updates, including a termly newsletter, so parents know what their children are up to and can support them further at home.

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need to do better?

Parents highly command the variety of real-life experiences children have, such as planting and growing vegetables. Children take home their yield to make healthy dinners with their parents. This involvement in children's learning makes a significant difference to their learning and development. n Children become increasingly independent in their managing their self-care needs. With attentive guidance from the childminder, children learn how to cut their own fruit for snack. They are learning how to use knives safely when she reminds them to keep their fingers away from the blade. Children develop excellent hygiene routines and learn about healthy eating habits and lifestyles. n The childminders dedication to continuously undertake training to support individual children, and the overall setting is awe-inspiring. The childminder works collaboratively with outside professionals, such as speech and language

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need to do better?

therapists, to ensure all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, achieve the best possible outcomes.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY500623 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10351710 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 12 Number of children on roll 13 Date of previous inspection 9 October 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016 and lives in Ely. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 4. She 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 discusses the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provision. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk of the setting, both indoors and outdoors, to understand how the setting is organised. Additionally, the childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure they are safe and suitable. n The inspector observed activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact these have on children's experience at the setting. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder and took account of her reflections. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. The inspector spoke with a parent during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector held a meeting with the childminder and discussed self-evaluation.

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Inspection activities

The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including suitability checks for members of the household, insurance and the childminder's first-aid certificate. n

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Inspection activities

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

4 July 2024 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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