Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision requires improvement

The childminder has not sufficiently developed her teaching skills and understanding of how children learn to ensure that all children make consistently robust progress. Children take part in fun activities, but these are not always fully planned or adequately supported to ensure children experience an ambitious curriculum across all areas of learning. Furthermore, the childminder does not ensure a two-way flow of information with other settings children attend.

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The provision requires improvement

Nevertheless, the childminder focuses on supporting children's emotional and personal development. Children are happy and secure in her care and there is a calm and welcoming feel to the setting. Children greet each other warmly as they arrive and are excited to share the news of visitors to the setting. Children move confidently around the childminder's home and are mindful of each other. Children's behaviour is good. They show age-appropriate understanding of the need to share and take turns. Children listen well to the childminder's instructions. The childminder supports children to gain age-appropriate independence. Older children understand to put things they have made into their bags and to manage to put on their own shoes. Children who are toilet training take pride in collecting stickers. Younger children are learning to feed themselves. Children of all ages are gaining an understanding of the need to wash their hands after using the toilet and before

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need to do better?

n The childminder shows a general understanding of the interests and level of development of the children in her care. She identifies some of the areas she would like them to progress in next. However, her planning of, and engagements with children during activities, are not fully effective at supporting all areas of learning. For example, the childminder does not fully support children's mathematical learning. She occasionally encourages children to count as they play, but she misses opportunities to introduce wider mathematical concepts such as quantity, size and measure. n Children of all ages show an interest in books and enjoy sitting cosily as the childminder reads to them. Older children know some nursery rhymes and show delight in singing them. The childminder talks to children about what they are doing and introduces them to some new words. However, the childminder's interactions are not consistently good to ensure children who are still developing

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need to do better?

their speech and language skills receive the support they need. n The childminder has taken part in some ongoing training opportunities, mainly focusing on attending statutory courses such as child protection and paediatric first aid. As a result, her professional development is not focused sufficiently on enhancing her understanding of how children learn and improving her teaching

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need to do better?

13 February 2025 skills. n The childminder communicates with parents, providing information about their children's days and sharing a written summary for the progress check at age two. However, this document does not always clearly note strategies to address any areas where additional support might be needed. Furthermore, the childminder has not made links with other settings children attend to share information about their progress, which has an impact on her ability to fully support children's learning and development. n Despite weaknesses in the childminder's curriculum, children are supported effectively to become confident. They show interest in visitors to the setting and have regular opportunities to socialise with local childminders and their children at a weekly toddler group. n The childminder provides opportunities for children to learn about nature and the living world. The children visit local farms, take part in pond dipping, go for

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need to do better?

walks in woods and start to notice when spring flowers appear. Older children understand the importance of holding on to the buggy when walking near roads, as well as ensuring they can still see the childminder when exploring local woods. n Parents are complimentary about the service the childminder provides. They talk about a 'warm, welcoming and safe' environment and explain how their children 'excitedly' talk about the activities they have taken part in. They value the 'warm bonds' the childminder has formed with their children and feel relaxed that their children are 'safe and well'.

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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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Due date

improve the planning of the curriculum to provide children with an ambitious learning environment across all areas of learning, building on what children know and can do 16/08/2025

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Due date

13 February 2025 ensure the written summary for the progress check at age two includes areas where additional support may be needed and strategies if concerns about a child's development are identified so that this information can be shared with other professionals, if required. 14/06/2025

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should:

n undertake professional development opportunities to increase knowledge and understanding of how children learn, and to develop teaching skills to help support children's learning fully n strengthen support for children's speech and language development to ensure that all children gain the skills needed for future learning n develop links with other childcare settings that children attend, to ensure there is a two-way-flow of information that supports children's progress to the highest level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY543284 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10375755 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 5 Date of previous inspection 1 May 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Sawston. She operates from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, term time only. The childminder holds a relevant childcare qualification at level 3. The childminder provides government funded early years education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures they are safe and suitable. The childminder spoke to the inspector about her intentions for children's learning. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector through written testimonials. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation, including attendance records and the childminder's paediatric first-aid certificate. n The inspector spoke with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

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Inspection activities

13 February 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

13 February 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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