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 thrive in the childminder's care. They are very well settled and show that they have a strong bond with the childminder built on trust and mutual respect. The childminder takes time to get to know children and gathers information from parents about what they know and can do when they start. She works closely with parents to tailor the settling-in arrangements to meet the individual needs of each child. This helps children to feel safe and secure, ready to learn and be confident to explore.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder skilfully builds on children's interests to help them develop their attention and curiosity. She knows how each child prefers to learn and adapts her teaching intuitively to reflect this. The childminder introduces new words to children as they play, providing clear explanations and hands-on experiences that help them embed their understanding. Children learn how adding water to dry sand changes the texture and how they can use it to build and make shapes and patterns.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder helps children learn to share and take turns. She provides consistent messages that help children learn about expected behaviours and the impact of their behaviour on their friends. Where children need more support, she works closely with parents to identify possible triggers and to develop strategies that are specifically targeted to help individual children.

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need to do better?

n The experienced and well-qualified childminder uses her professional understanding of typical child development to establish her curriculum. The childminder shares the curriculum with parents from the start to promote consistency for children. She is focused on helping children gain the skills and knowledge they need for the next stage in their education. She provides purposely planned and meaningful experiences that motivate children to engage and learn. n In February 2025 the childminder notified Ofsted of an accident where a child sustained an injury. The childminder took appropriate action and reviewed her procedures for the preparation of snacks and meals. She has strengthened risk assessments and made changes to minimise the risk of another incident happening. n Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the childminder and the level of care their children receive. They say that they feel well informed about their child's

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need to do better?

day and what they are learning next. Parents say that they seek her advice, such as how to support their child's independence in toileting. They add that the childminder's calm, patient and collaborative approach significantly contributes

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need to do better?

30 April 2025 to children's progress and achievements. n The childminder has high expectations of herself and places high priority on ensuring that each child receives a tailored learning experience that reflects their individuality. She is meticulously well organised to ensure that all statutory training is regularly updated. The childminder is committed to continually improving her knowledge and practice. She undertakes a range of training and independent research to ensure that she meets the individual needs of each child. n Children receive lots of encouragement and praise to do things for themselves. They learn to put on their coats and shoes and to think about if their shoes are on the correct feet. Children learn to use safety knives to cut and prepare fruit. They learn the importance of keeping their bodies hydrated as they self-serve water. n Children show that prior learning is embedded as they play. They count the

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need to do better?

flowers on the strawberry plants and speculate how many spoons of sand will cover toys in the sand tray. Children naturally use language to compare the height that soft balls reach as they throw them up the stairs. They talk about recent visits to the garden centre with the childminder and make links in their play to stories and books they have enjoyed. n The childminder truly places the interests of children at the heart of all she does. She shares information with other professionals involved in children's lives. This includes compiling a comprehensive report when children move on to school or another early years setting. The childminder is focused on providing children with consistency and helping them to build resilience as they navigate transitions and periods of change throughout their lives.

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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 EY371134 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10390496 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 4 Date of previous inspection 14 January 2020

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2008 and lives in Cambridge. She operates all year round, from 7.15am to 5pm, Tuesday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant early years qualification at level 3. The childminder provides government funded early education to all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises her early years provision, including the aims and rationale for her early years foundation stage curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this is having on the children's learning. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the curriculum has been implemented and the impact that this has had on the children's learning. n Parents provided written feedback, which the inspector took into account. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

30 April 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

30 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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