Children looked after by a Little Downham childminder are given good care according to government inspectors.

Alison Crane, who has been a registered childminder since 1991, has received a good rating from Ofsted.

The report describes how children’s emotional well-being is extremely well supported with Mrs Crane having a caring and calm approach, which ‘reassures children and helps them to feel secure’.

Children’s behaviour is exemplary because she promotes consistent boundaries and has a very good of understanding of when to distract children and when to let them negotiate independently.

Mrs Crane also has a good understanding of how children learn and she routinely finds out their interests and abilities and uses that information to plan experiences for them to enjoy. Consequently children make good progress in their learning.

Parents told inspector Veronica Sharpe they have a high regard for Mrs Crane and say she meets their child’s needs ‘brilliantly’.

To achieve outstanding Mrs Crane needs to enhance children’s literacy and increase their understanding of the diverse world around them, including people with disabilities.