Hastings, Nadine

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 childminder has an inspiring and ambitious curriculum in place that aids and supports young children to be ready for starting school. The childminder teaches children to the highest standard. She consistently builds on what children know and can do, using children's interests to engage them successfully in play and learning. For example, children learn about height through the different-sized superhero figures. The childminder reinforces key knowledge to ensure that children are successful in their learning. She discusses key concepts, such as measuring from the same point, ensuring that children place the superheroes' feet on the floor and put them back to back for comparison.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder skilfully adapts her teaching to ensure that all children in her care benefit from learning activities. Young children make marks in play dough, which excites them. They give meaning to the marks they make, and older children begin to recognise numerals. All children benefit from high-quality teaching, which ensures that they are deeply engaged, enjoy learning and make exceptional progress. Children behave impeccably. They are exceptionally confident and thrive in the childminder's care. Children understand the rules and the boundaries, such as helping to tidy away the toys when needed, and to listen to each other.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

The childminder enhances children's experience of the world through regular local trips. She takes the children to local childminding groups, the market to buy produce, and her own allotment to pick fruit and vegetables. This provides children with rich, real-life experiences for them to develop their social skills, and supports their ability to feel confident in a variety of places and situations. The childminder is keen to extend children's growing understanding of the world around them.

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need to do better?

n The childminder knows that children learn through purposeful play. She demonstrates an excellent knowledge of what children should be learning and when, and how to support this. The childminder considers children's interests when planning activities for them, such as counting with favourite toy dinosaurs, and regularly monitors the progress they make. n The curriculum for communication and language is well thought out and exceptionally implemented. Young children demonstrate a wide range of vocabulary for their age. The childminder further supports the development of language through deeply embedded daily stories, rhymes and experiences. n The childminder demonstrates a deep understanding of child development. This enables her to carry out extensive assessments and meticulously review children's achievements. This helps her to identify and address any gaps in learning and target precisely what children need to learn next.

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need to do better?

28 January 2025 n The childminder is highly responsive to children's own play and watches them carefully as they explore in their own way. She waits for exactly the right moment to expertly extend children's play, making suggestions and asking questions to encourage their thinking. n The childminder understands how to sequence new skills and knowledge so that the steps in children's learning are securely embedded before moving on. For example, she informs children that height means how tall something is and length means how long. n All interactions with children are of a high quality. The childminder models back- and-forth conversations, and she holds purposeful discussions with children. She introduces children to new vocabulary as they play together. This helps to further promote children's language development. n The childminder provides children with a safe, loving and nurturing environment. She shows an attention to detail and genuine care and concern for children.

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need to do better?

Written feedback from parents demonstrates their very high regard for the childminder. They say that the childminder has gone above and beyond to provide exceptional care for their children and themselves. n Children demonstrate strong social skills. They enjoy the company of their peers and play cooperatively. They know how to take turns and to share the resources with their friends. n The childminder uses every opportunity for learning. At snack time, children have access to a range of nutritious fruit, including apples and oranges. The childminder expertly develops children's mathematical skills as they competently count the segments of a satsuma and estimate how many segments there could be. The childminder further develops skills such as sharing and cutting apples using safe and age-appropriate resources. n The childminder regularly assesses her own strengths and areas for improvement in the setting. For example, she has recently completed a course

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need to do better?

on British Sign Language. As a result, the setting is now a communication- friendly setting for children who are deaf, and all children can communicate using some British Sign Language.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

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

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY542576 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10368511 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

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 5 Date of previous inspection 22 March 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in St Neots, Cambridgeshire. She operates her childminding provision from 6.45am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder offers overnight care. She provides funded early education for eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder and the inspector had a discussion about how the curriculum is organised and what the childminder intends children to learn while in her care. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children. n The inspector spoke with the childminder at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

28 January 2025 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

28 January 2025 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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