Childminder in Westmorland and Furness

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 317054 Inspection date 30/03/2009 Inspector Diane Roberts

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Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1998. She lives with her husband and children aged one, nine and 12 in Endmoor, Cumbria close to schools, shops and parks. The whole of the ground floor apart from the living room and three rooms on the first floor are used for childminding. There are toilet facilities on both the ground and first floor available to children. There are two fully enclosed areas for outside play. She has two Labrador dogs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. When minding with an assistant she may care for a maximum of 11 children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than five may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding five children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has level 3 qualifications in playwork and level 4 in early childhood studies. She is presently operating three days a week and works mainly with an assistant. She runs an out of school facility from another setting and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder provides a warm caring environment where each child happily learns through play. Strong partnerships with parents make sure each child is valued and their individual learning and development needs are generally met. Policies and procedures are inclusive and are implemented successfully and documentation is mostly well kept. The childminder regularly evaluates her practice to ensure continuous improvement and recommendations made at the last inspection have been implemented well.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 review systems and routines for using observations of children to make sure they are consistently used to assess the progress children are making and plan the next steps in each child's development  review opportunities for developing children's understanding of problem solving, reasoning and numeracy to make sure they have plenty of chances to practise and extend their skills in these areas and to gain confidence and competence in their use This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder has qualifications in early years and conscientiously makes sure she keeps updated with relevant legislation, such as the implementation of Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Both the childminder and her assistant have valid first aid certificates and have recently attended a safeguarding children course thereby demonstrating commitment to children’s safety. The childminder has a clear understanding of her duty to protect the children in her care. Records, policies and procedures required for the safe and efficient management of the EYFS ensure that the needs of all children are generally met. However, some records regarding observations made of children’s learning are not consistently dated. This means, children’s progression is not always clear or observations routinely used to individualise planning to link to early learning goals.

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provision

Improvements have been made since her last inspection as the childminder evaluates her practice and is always looking at ways to enhance the care and education she provides. This ensures continuous improvement to her provision. For instance, after involving children and respecting the views of their parents, she has recently upgraded her transport to make sure outings are much more comfortable and thereby fun for children. Risk assessments and actions taken to manage or eliminate risks are effective as the childminder makes sure daily checks are made.

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provision

The childminder makes sure all parents are fully informed of their child's well-being through daily chats and weekly diaries. Children's individual needs are discussed and information is exchanged with parents about their child's progress. Where there are any concerns for a child, the childminder keeps parents informed through text messaging throughout the day. Systems are in place to establish sound links with other providers of EYFS thereby ensuring continuity of care and learning. Comments from parents include them being, 'delighted with care and environment' and 'pleased with attention to learning'. Parents appreciate that 'children have fun' whilst in the care of the childminder and as parents they are 'made to feel welcome'.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children happily play in a warm and welcoming environment with a good range of accessible resources for them to make independent choices. Children laugh and joke with the childminder and her assistant, confident in their surroundings with caring adults who are actively involved in their play and readily extend their learning. Children have great fun playing with the good quality small world resources, such as garages complete with car parks. With plenty of time to learn new skills, they giggle as they repeatedly make the car park barrier make a noise and they replicate the action again and again. Good organisation of equipment and activities enables children to use the resources imaginatively and follow their natural curiosity as learners. Children enjoy purposeful play and a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities. For instance, children thoroughly enjoy painting pictures of strawberries. Their vocabulary is extended as they chat about

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

the shape and colour of the fruit and their leaves. Children are engrossed with the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 activity and listen intently to the adult and to their peers. Fostering appreciation of others, the childminder encourages them to admire each other's creations and recognise achievements. Children demonstrate good control of small tools, such as paintbrushes, as they become fascinated with painting their hands and laugh together as they make different colours by mixing the paint.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy a good range of both indoor and outdoor physical activities that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. They go out in the fresh air most days and play regularly in the garden with a good range of play materials that provide sufficient challenge for a varied age group. This means they are learning to understand the benefit of exercise. Children learn about space and different shapes through everyday activities. For example, demonstrating excellent co-ordination, children skilfully reverse sit-and-ride cars into rectangular parking spaces drawn on the tarmac. However, in general, opportunities, such as matching numbers and counting to supplement children’s numeracy skills, are limited.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy eating their lunch together with the adults in a relaxed family atmosphere. Nourishing options such as pasta and fresh vegetables with yogurt to follow, are eaten with gusto by the children. Children learn the importance of personal hygiene through daily routines, for example washing hands after using the toilet, before eating or after stroking the dogs. Children’s self-esteem and well- being is fostered, as they are treated as individuals and routines in respect of their basic needs are adapted well through consultation with parents. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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