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 317051 Inspection date 18/08/2009 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 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 1994. She lives with her adult son on the outskirts of Penrith, Cumbria. There are shops, parks, local walks, library and allotments close by. Minded children have access to the lounge and kitchen, with bathroom and sleeping facilities upstairs. The childminder provides care from 07.00 to 18.00, Monday to Friday throughout the year, flexible for parents' needs. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and Eden District Childminders Group. This provision is registered on the Early Years Register, and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are happy and contented individuals who are well cared for in a relaxed, child-friendly, safe and secure environment. They benefit from the individual attention they receive from this experienced childminder, who is highly motivated to widen her own knowledge and understanding through additional training and the undertaking of an early years qualification. Children are provided with a suitable balance of adult and child- initiated activities and they independently access a selection of resources and play opportunities which are age-appropriate and follow their interest. The childminder has made an encouraging start with the self-evaluation process, and observation, assessment and developmental record keeping documents are in the early stages of development. There are limited opportunities created by the childminder to encourage parental involvement in their children’s learning or links established with

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop systems for obtaining children's starting points, observing and assessing children's development in order to identify the next steps to inform planning  encourage parents to be more involved in their children's learning and develop links with other settings children attend in order to complement the learning taking place  continue to develop the self-evaluation process to reflect on practice and identify areas for development to help improve the outcomes for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder has a number of years experience in looking after children. She is highly motivated to extend her own learning and development by attending additional training and undertaking an early years qualification. She uses this new knowledge and understanding to help improve her practice and this has a positive effect on the outcomes for children in her care. The childminder provides a flexible service to meet the individual needs of parents, carers and children. She knows the children well and provides activities to suit their individual needs, therefore, children make steady progress in their learning and development. Documentation is well organised and kept in a confidential format, including a detailed set of written policies and procedures which are effectively implemented in her everyday practice.

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provision

The childminder has made a conscious start to the self-evaluation process. She is aware of the importance of reviewing and monitoring her practice to help improve the outcomes for children. The childminder has completed previous recommendations made at her last inspection and she regularly meets with the other childminders to discuss the latest changes in legislation. Parents express a high regard for the service she offers them and their children. Several cards and thank you letters from previous childminding arrangements thank the childminder for looking after their children so well and praise the 'wonderful care' and service she provided for them.

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provision

Children are protected and safeguarded. The childminder has recently attended refresher safeguarding training and is therefore secure in her knowledge of child protection issues and the procedures to follow if she was concerned about a child’s welfare. Detailed written risk assessments are completed for all areas children access, indoors, outside, and on outings. Safety equipment is in place to ensure children are kept safe and secure in the family home. The children and the childminder clearly explain the fire evacuation procedure which they practise on a regular basis. Smoke alarms are tested and a fire blanket is accessible in the kitchen. The details of named persons allowed to collect the children are recorded on registration documents and all parental consents obtained.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy themselves and have fun as they play together in this warm, welcoming, child-friendly environment. They are happy and contented children who settle easily in the familiar surroundings with their siblings and friends. Children are supported well by the childminder as she skilfully challenges and extends their learning through simple questioning techniques that encourage conversation and help children to think about what they are doing. A balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities are provided. Children enjoy story building games which enable them to learn new vocabulary, expand their language and communication skills, and help develop social skills. They complete floor puzzles together and use their imagination as they play with various resources, such as cars, trucks and aeroplane toys. Children enjoy making bread. They learn how to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

knead the dough and wait for it to rise before baking it. Children grow vegetables, such as potatoes, in the garden tubs. They enjoy visits to a number of community groups and benefit from getting plenty of fresh air and exercise as they walk back and forth to school, and visit the local park and playgrounds close by.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder knows the children well and their unique attributes. She obtains information from parents about health and care needs, routines and individual interests and preferences. Information linked to children‘s development and learning already achieved is discussed although not recorded. The childminder completes daily diaries which record children's care, routine and daily activities. It is used to pass on information to parents, however, there are limited entries made by parents commenting on the learning taking place or what their child does at home. The childminder has no systems in place to help encourage parents to help with their child’s learning at home. The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and is beginning to recognise the developmental achievements made by individual children. This is supported by photographic evidence contained in record books in each child’s folder. The childminder has

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

made a start in observing children and making assessments of their development. However, there is no planning in place to show how the areas of learning are covered through the provision of resources or how the identification of the next steps in children’s learning is considered in future planning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children follow the good example set by the childminder who keeps her home clean and well maintained, and promotes good health and hygiene practices with the children. She ensures children wash their hands before sitting down to eat their snack and before handling the ingredients for bread making. Children enjoy mealtimes, sitting together at the child-sized table where they try new tastes, for example, watermelon. Children’s health and wellbeing are discussed with parents so that they provide healthy options in packed lunch boxes and to ensure all dietary needs are met. Children help themselves to fresh drinking water in the kitchen. Children are for the most time very well-behaved. Any outbursts of sibling rivalry are dealt with firmly, fairly, and positively by the childminder. The childminder uses positive methods to encourage good behaviour using lots of praise and encouragement. Children learn to respect other people’s possessions

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and keep themselves safe as they help to tidy away toys. They learn about road safety as they walk back and forth from school and discuss stranger danger and keeping themselves safe when they are playing in the park. 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

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