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 form strong bonds with the childminder and settle quickly in her care. The childminder provides a warm, welcoming and inclusive home. All children make good progress in their learning. They are confident and independently access toys and resources. Children enjoy completing routine tasks, such as setting the table for mealtimes. They beam with pride as the childminder gives them praise for their efforts. Children display positive attitudes to learning as they join activities with enthusiasm. The childminder knows the children well and plans her curriculum around their interests. For instance, children showing a preference for wheeled toys build their own. They learn to follow plans and use tools as they construct. The childminder provides effective support and encouragement. This helps children to persist and achieve their goals.

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The provision is good

Children behave well. They learn to share and take turns with resources. The childminder helps children to respect each other's views and opinions. When needed, the childminder reminds them to be kind. She engages in meaningful discussions with children. She encourages them to think about their actions and create their own solutions. This helps to promote children's positive behaviour. Children develop good social skills. They attend a local playgroup with the childminder. This helps to support their confidence as they play in larger groups with other children.

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need to do better?

n The childminder actively promotes children's communication and language effectively. She engages with children as they play and uses opportunities to spark conversations. For example, she talks to children about the changes they see as they add water to dry compost. She introduces a range of new vocabulary, such as 'pollen' and 'nectar', as she engages in meaningful discussions with children about insects. Children engage in back-and-forth conversations with the childminder. n Children show a genuine love of reading and learning facts from books. The childminder links books to planned activities to help children understand that information can be found from books. Children frequently access a wide range of books and retell their favourite stories. They eagerly sit for story time and listen carefully as the childminder asks questions to gauge their understanding. n Mathematical concepts are naturally woven through the childminder's practice.

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need to do better?

Children learn to sort colours, count competently and recognise numerals in the environment. The childminder uses language such as 'tallest' and 'smallest', and she supports the children to compare sizes and shapes as they play and explore. These opportunities help children to develop a positive attitude and interest in early mathematics.

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need to do better?

24 April 2025 n The childminder plans a wide range of experiences to develop children's understanding of nature. For example, children plant seeds to create flowers in the garden to attract butterflies and other insects. They learn to care for birds and the visiting hedgehog. The childminder takes children to a local aquarium to observe fish and on a wide range of walks within the local community. This helps children to build a connection with nature and to develop an appreciation of living things. n The childminder has a secure understanding of children's development and what she wants them to achieve. She carries out appropriate observations and assessments to help her to identify what children need to learn next. However, occasionally, the childminder does not consistently think about how to ensure that adult-led activities maximise children's concentration and focus. n The childminder has established strong partnerships with parents. They speak

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need to do better?

positively about the care their children receive. The childminder ensures parents receive regular updates about their children's learning, including how to support their children's development at home. Parents describe the childminder as going 'above and beyond' in the care of their children. n The childminder has a positive attitude towards her ongoing professional development. She is reflective about her practice and seeks other professionals for advice and to share good practice. The childminder uses self-evaluation to identify areas of child development that she would like to gain a deeper understanding of, and she actively sources training to increase her knowledge and skills further.

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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 provide opportunities during adult-led activities to enhance children's concentration even further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2711174 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10380740 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 3 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2022 and lives in Cambridge. She operates term time only from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about her curriculum and what she wants the children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this has on the children's learning. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector and the childminder carried out a joint observation of a group activity. n The inspector took account of parents' written views as part of the inspection.

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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

24 April 2025 24 April 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

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

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