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 EY318448 Inspection date 06/04/2009 Inspector Carys Millican

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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 2006. She lives with her partner and two children aged eight and five, in Stanwix, Carlisle, Cumbria. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is registered to provide overnight care for one child aged under eight years. She is currently minding three children aged under five, part time for various sessions, and two children aged over five before and after school/ during school holidays. The childminder provides care from 08.00 to 18.00, Monday to Friday throughout the year, flexible to the needs of parents. There are shops, parks and pre-school groups locally. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, the Childcare Register and Voluntary part of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children thrive in this warm, friendly, relaxed environment where they are lovingly and affectionately cared for by an experienced childminder. Their individual needs are well met and they make steady progress in their early development as they freely explore their surroundings and initiate their own play following their individual interests and preferences. The childminder has established sound relationships with parents and exchanges information about children's care and progress daily. Children benefit from the inclusive, flexible service where they are valued and respected as individuals. Reflective self-evaluation and written planning is in the early stages of development.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop planning to incorporate the next steps in children's development  continue to develop systems for the self evaluation process and involve parents and carers in the monitoring and evaluation process.

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provision

The childminder is an experienced practitioner who organises her childminding well to provide a flexible service for parents and meet the needs of the children. Children’s care and welfare is effectively promoted due to the childminders excellent knowledge of each child’s ongoing development and a thorough This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 understanding of how children learn best. As a result, children are happy, settled and making steady progress in their developmental milestones. The childminder maintains the record keeping documentation as required and in a confidential format. She has a set of detailed written policies and procedures which she effectively implements in her everyday practice and made available for parents.

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provision

Children are safeguarded. They are kept safe and secure in this well organised and well maintained family home. Safety is important to the childminder who checks the environment daily and she clearly explains how she minimises risks to children in her home and on outings through appropriate safety arrangements and detailed written risk assessment. The childminder is secure in her knowledge of child protection and understands the procedures to follow if she was concerned about a child. Records ensure that children are collected by named persons who are known to the childminder and procedures are in place to ensure children cannot leave the premises unsupervised.

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provision

The childminder has made an initial start to the reflective self evaluation process in monitoring and evaluating her everyday childcare practices. Although it is in the early stages of development, she understands the importance of regularly reviewing her childcare provision for the benefit of children and to include parental contributions to this practice. She has made ongoing improvement in her practices since the last inspection and is keen to develop her own knowledge and understanding by keeping up-to-date in any childcare issues through attending training courses.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very relaxed, happy and content in the care of the childminder. They are cared for in a well maintained environment where they freely explore their surroundings thus developing in confidence as they play. Children’s individual needs are effectively met by the childminder gathering appropriate information from parents about their child’s health and care needs and obtaining information about their ongoing development and achievement. Photographic evidence and observations detailing aspects under the six areas of learning are used to show how development is progressing and also identify the next steps in children’s learning. These are confidentially stored in individual folders and shared with parents. Activities are led by the children’s own interest with no written planning in place, therefore it is not clear how the next steps in children's learning is further promoted in subsequent activities. Children are suitably supported in activities as

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

they play with a wide range of accessible resources. They are questioned and challenged and therefore learning is skilfully reinforced. The childminder has established good relationships with parents and keeps them well informed about how their child's day has been. Parents are encouraged to look through their child's folder regularly and comments routinely shared on a daily basis in children’s individual daily diaries.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Younger children make independent choices about their play from the extensive selection of interactive musical activity toys and play resources available. Children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 enjoy the company of the childminder as she sits on the floor encouraging their development as they play with ‘space ship shape sorter’ and the ‘musical guitar’. Children smile as they interact with their 'special carer' who reinforces their language and communication skills continuously. Children enjoy building with interlocking bricks creating castles to park numerous colourful toy cars. They enjoy looking out the window patiently waiting for it to stop and pick the people up at the bus stop opposite. Children experience outdoor activities, either playing in the garden, visiting the local parks, playgrounds and shops, and through their daily walks to and from school.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder promotes healthy eating and hygiene practices. She discusses children's health and wellbeing with parents so that they provide healthy options in packed lunch boxes. Fresh water is readily available for children throughout the day and regular hot or cold snacks are provided. Children are well behaved. The childminder uses positive methods to encourage good behaviour and she encourages children to think about their own and others safety by helping them to tidy up toys, practicing regular fire practices and holding onto the buggy when out walking. Children follow the good role model set by the childminder as she provides a warm, well maintained, clean homely environment and encourages children from an early age to wash their hands. 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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