Childminder in Cumberland

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 EY254260 Inspection date 02/03/2009 Inspector Valerie Block

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and children aged three and five in Southerfield near to Abbeytown, Cumbria, in a rural location. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden and yard for outside play. The bathroom is upstairs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five, four days a week and two children over five before and after school. When working with an assistant, up to six children under eight years of age may be minded. The childminder is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder uses her car to take children to and from school. The childminder regularly attends local children's groups. The family has a pet rabbit and a cat. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and has a professional qualification in early years care and education.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children's unique qualities are well known as the childminder has good systems to work with parents, so enabling the childminder to plan activities incorporating the children's interests and learning needs. Children are making good progress and settle well. Organisation to meet children's welfare needs is for the most part effective. The childminder has a good understanding of her setting's strengths and areas for improvement to improve outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 review the educational programme to increase problem solving, reasoning and numeracy in everyday events  promote anti-discriminatory practice by increasing the childminder's understanding of diversity issues as well as increasing resources and activities to promote inclusion and children's understanding of and respect for diversity.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 review the risk assessment to minimise the risks to children, for example, the security of the garden and hearth in the lounge (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) (also applies to the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register) 16/03/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children benefit as the childminder has worked in a variety of childcare settings, has a recognised early years qualification and attends training regularly to improve her practice. The childminder maintains well organised records and makes her written policies and procedures available to parents. She has also developed an effective daily diary as well as assessment records that are shared with parents for their information. Children are safeguarded as the childminder has been on recent training in this area and has a good understanding of necessary procedures to take in the event of a child protection concern. Children benefit from the provision of well organised play space, including good access to outdoor play and a designated playroom for children that is very bright and attractive with a good amount of accessible play equipment and attractive displays of children's work. Children's safety is, in the main, well addressed as the childminder has considered most of

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provision

the risks in the home. There are some safety risks regarding security and an unprotected stone hearth in the children's play area that have not been addressed in the risk assessment.

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provision

Good procedures are in place to promote children's health. For example, the childminder promotes children's well-being by encouraging healthy eating and everyday physical exercise. She has accurately evaluated her practice and shows a good capacity to improve, as she attends regular training events. She attends childminder meetings to discuss childcare issues and uses information from local authority advisors to improve her practice for the benefit of the children. All parents and children are welcome in this inclusive setting. The childminder has attended several relevant courses to help promote inclusion such as a recent course about working with children with disabilities. Parents show a good level of satisfaction with this service and comment on how they and their children are made very welcome. The childminder also liaises closely with teachers at the local school to ensure continuity of the children's learning and care. The childminder has

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provision

a satisfactory anti-discriminatory policy in place and is aware that the provision at present does not sufficiently help children learn to value and understand diversity.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are making good progress in their learning and development, due to the childminder planning activities well, using her good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Observation, assessment and planning includes parent's input and a recognition of each child's starting points and next steps in learning, so meeting each child's needs. The childminder supports the children's learning very well as she encourages children to explore her well-planned learning environment where children have access to a good amount of varied play equipment both inside and outside, whilst supporting them with praise and encouragement. All areas of learning are well covered in her activity planning, however, problem solving, reasoning and numeracy are not seen to be sufficiently linked to everyday events on a daily basis. Children's physical development and coordination is promoted, as children have a variety of play equipment on offer in the garden to promote this

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning. They enjoy climbing on the climbing frame's ladders in the garden trying new more challenging actions and the childminder is on hand to support them to do this safely whilst encouraging their skill. They are encouraged to learn about the world around them as the childminder introduces them to the wild life and farm animals in the area and children are encouraged to feed the birds and listen for their songs.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have regular opportunities to develop their social skills, make new friends and learn about their community as they regularly attend local groups where they meet other children. Children are encouraged to behave well. The childminder is very patient, warm and kind to children developing a trusting relationship and also showing them a good model of behaviour. The childminder supports children to develop skills in literacy and information technology, which contributes to their economic well-being. They learn about good hygiene practices, as they wash their hands after playing outside, touching the pet rabbit and before eating. They also learn about keeping themselves safe. For example, the childminder has invited a police officer to help the children learn about the dangers of roads and strangers. 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? 3 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (CR5.4) 16/03/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (CR5.4) 16/03/2009 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 registration.

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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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