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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children build secure bonds with the childminder. They seek her out for comfort and are soothed by her reassuring words and the cuddles she gives them. This helps children build emotional stability. The childminder provides a secure routine for children, which helps them to be comfortable in her care and behave well. Children enjoy being around their friends and help each other find personal items such as their hats. The childminder praises children for this thoughtful behaviour. She provides resources that are accessible to them. Children access these confidently and choose what they want to play.

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The provision is good

The childminder successfully adapts her teaching to meet the learning needs of children. When children lose focus in an activity with chalks, the childminder follows their developing interest in water play. Children delight in filling and pouring water with pots and jugs. The childminder adds sieves and funnels, encouraging them to notice where the water flows. This helps children to begin to develop an understanding of quantities. Children readily ask the childminder to read to them, which she does with expression and excitement, including the quieter children well. Young children listen and point to their favourite characters in the pictures. This helps to build concentration and develop a love of reading.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a positive attitude and she values developing her skills to benefit the children in her care. She has a clear understanding of how to support children's readiness for school through independence and good communication skills. As the childminder strives to progress further, she identifies training to attend so that she can observe the children and plan her curriculum more deeply. n The childminder knows the children well. She has a good understanding of child development. She uses her professional knowledge and experience to assess children's learning and identify how she can help them continue to develop their skills and knowledge. This helps children make good progress in their learning. n The childminder supports children's welfare effectively and explains risks to children in a way that is appropriate for their age. She ensures children wear suncream and play outside for a safe length of time in the hot weather. On

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need to do better?

outings, she reminds them how to cross the road safely. n Children are becoming independent in the childminder's care. Young children follow the routines to tidy up, wash their hands and have a go at putting on their own clothing. Babies are eager to join in with the older children as they sit together to eat their lunch with their spoons n The childminder supports children's natural curiosity by helping them to notice what is happening in their environment. For example, as a plane files overhead,

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need to do better?

21 June 2024 she asks the children, 'What's that noise?' When the pieces of chalk soften in water, the childminder asks children to consider what they can do with the softer chalk. Young children feel the texture of it between their fingers as they freely explore the materials. n The childminder provides opportunities for children to develop physically. Babies and children walk over stepping stones to help develop their balance. They stretch their bodies and arms to make large marks on the ground with chalk. The childminder encourages babies and children to push building blocks together. This helps children strengthen their finger control. n The childminder listens to and talks to children constantly. She helps them to understand instructions and makes many parts of their day sociable. This builds children's communication skills. However, this informative language is not always rich and varied to help children build on the number of words they know and

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need to do better?

understand. n Partnership with parents is strong. The childminder gathers information from parents about their children to support their time in the setting. Parents receive regular updates about their children through the online learning journal and through discussion with the childminder. However, the childminder does not always guide parents to support children's learning at home to provide consistency of learning.

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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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should:

n consider further ways to extend children's language skills to help broaden their vocabulary n help parents to support their children's learning at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2666889 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10350686 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 6 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2022 and lives in St Neots, Cambridgeshire. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a qualification at level 3. 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. 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 talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector talked to the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection and considered their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The childminder and the inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity. n The inspector read testimonials provided by parents. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of household members.

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Inspection activities

21 June 2024 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

21 June 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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