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 play and learn harmoniously in the home of this dedicated childminder. They form close friendships with their peers and demonstrate extremely secure attachments with the childminder. Children confidently select board games from the easily accessible shelving unit and ask if the childminder and their friends would like to play. They take it in turns to throw the die and the childminder praises their patience as they wait for their go, reinforcing her extremely high expectations. This builds on children's self-esteem and helps develop their understanding of social interaction.

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The provision is outstanding

Children benefit from the childminder's calm nature. She supports children sensitively to enable them to make the right choices, teaching them the rules and routines of the setting. Children's views, opinions and interests are valued highly. When they explore ice-cubes and want to feel the ice in their mouths, the childminder provides them with water to explore the change in temperature safely. She encourages them to investigate what happens to the temperature of the water when the ice-cubes are placed inside. The childminder consistently adapts her practice to ensure that all children can access the experiences and opportunities on offer. Subsequently, children behave exceptionally well.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder creates a stimulating environment, where children immerse themselves in a vast range of exciting learning opportunities. She has an excellent understanding of the knowledge and skills children need to move their learning forward. Children develop excellent independence. At mealtimes, they collect their step and wait patiently to prepare their own food. They delight as they confidently make their sandwiches and select the filling of their choice. When going outside, children gather their own shoes and persevere when attempting to put them on. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make the best possible progress.

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need to do better?

n The childminder implements an inspiring curriculum that builds on children's interests and enables them all to make the progress they are capable of. She takes full account of the different ways that children learn and considers the best ways to maximise their learning opportunities. For example, the childminder provides talking buttons to support all children in communicating their ideas during group discussions. n The childminder knows the children exceptionally well and is highly attuned to their needs. Regular assessments, such as progress checks for children aged two years old, are extremely thorough and used to inform children's next stages of learning. The childminder has the knowledge to recognise any emerging special

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need to do better?

18 July 2024 educational needs and/or disabilities and works in partnerships with parents and other professionals if specialist support is required. n The childminder provides children with a variety of purposeful outings, such as to the library, toddler groups and pet shops, to build on their understanding of the local community. Other outings build on children's interests, such as deciding to go on a train ride and see the train master in action. As children cut their own fruit for snack, they recall picking blackberries from the bushes locally and compare how the fruit tastes different to the ones from the shops. Children develop an excellent understanding of the world around them. n Children develop superb communication and language skills as a result of this childminder's innovative teaching methods. She immerses children in a language-rich environment, where they happily engage in meaningful conversations. The childminder asks questions to build on children's

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need to do better?

understanding and consolidate their learning. As children play with the diggers and ice they use words, such as 'excavate', and comment on the ice being a 'cube' shape. n The childminder uses her expert teaching skills to extend children's mathematical development to the highest level. She uses every opportunity to model counting, discuss quantity and identify shapes in the environment. Children regularly select mathematical board games to play with the childminder and enjoy taking it in turns to count the number of spots on the die. When singing, the childminder supports children to think about how many bottles are left hanging on the wall when one falls off. During adult-led activities, children learn the names of 3D shapes, such as 'cone, cylinder' and 'cube', and then identify these shapes in the environment as they play. n The childminder is highly proactive in her professional growth, actively pursuing

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need to do better?

opportunities to improve her own knowledge and skills. For example, she has worked closely with other professionals to build on her knowledge and understanding on the provision for babies. The childminder continuously evaluates her setting and knowledge to maintain the highest standard for all children. n Partnerships with parents and other professionals are well established and highly effective. Parents comment that the childminder has made a significant impact on their children's growth and development. They describe her as 'kind, gentle and supportive', and state that the variety of activities she provides enriches children's experiences.

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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 EY536830 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10351738 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 19 Date of previous inspection 11 October 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016 and lives on the outskirts of Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. She operates her childminding business from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank and family holidays. The childminder has qualified teacher status and an appropriate childcare 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 began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their curriculum. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children during activities. n The inspector and childminder completed a joint observation of an activity to assess the quality of teaching. n The inspector took account of the views of parents.

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Inspection activities

18 July 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

18 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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