Childminder in Cumberland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY341584 Inspection date 22/06/2010 Inspector Vivienne Dempsey

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. 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 has been registered since November 2006. She lives in a detached house on the Kings Chase estate in Redcar. The childminder lives with her husband and her three children who are aged 13, 15 and 23 years old. Minded children have the use of the lounge, the kitchen/diner, a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor. There is also a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for up to six children under eight years old at any one time. There are currently 10 children on roll, aged 20 months to 11 years old, of these seven children are in the early years age range. The childminder is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The quality of the provision is outstanding. All children are extremely well cared for in a very friendly and welcoming environment. The childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child and works exceptionally well with parents to meet each child's individual needs. She has an excellent understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage care, learning and development requirements, which she implements effectively to fully promote outcomes for children in her care. The childminder is highly motivated and recognises the value for continuous improvement to promote achievement for all children.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 develop links further with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure progression and continuity of all children's learning and care.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a comprehensive awareness of safeguarding issues. She attends regular training and knows who to contact with any concerns. This is supported with an extensive range of policies and procedures to ensure the safeguarding and welfare of all children. Children display an excellent awareness of safety issues and they recognise and understand how to keep themselves safe. For example, children confidently talk about why they need to apply sun screen and wear hats before playing in the garden. They also apply sun screen to the dolls who are in the garden and also ensure they wear their hats at all times, which further develops their understanding of safe routines. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Parents are highly valued and effective communication links means there is a two- way flow of information, knowledge and expertise between parents and the

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the early years provision

childminder. For example, the childminder consistently provides parents with information regarding their child's progress and also provides information of activities that parents can do at home to complement learning at the setting. Parents are extremely pleased with the care their children receive and describe the childminder as 'fantastic' and 'professional'. They value the 'stimulating learning environment', which the childminder provides and how well she adapts resources and activities to meet their children's learning needs. The childminder is highly committed to working in partnership with other providers and agencies to ensure all children get the support they need. For example, she works closely with most local nursery schools and schools to ensure progression and continuity of children's learning and care. However, this link has not been fully developed with all schools.

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the early years provision

The childminder is highly motivated and committed to continuous improvement. This committed approach is evident by its impact on the children. For example, a wide range of stimulating and motivating learning opportunities are available for all children, which meets their interests and stage of development. She works closely with parents, children, other childminders and local authority advisors to develop her extremely good practice and to promote outcomes for all children and their families.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an exceptional knowledge of each child's needs and backgrounds. She works closely with all parents to ensure all children are fully integrated at the setting. She attends regular training to update her knowledge and skills and effectively helps children to learn about and understand the society in which they live. For example, a wide range of resources and activities are available and children enjoy celebrating festivals, such as Holi, which marks the coming of spring in the Hindu calendar. This helps to promote children's understanding of differences. Children make very good progress in relation to their starting points. High quality equipment and resources are available, these are suitable for all ages of children and support their learning and development extremely well. The environment is conducive to learning and safe and children clearly benefit and thrive as a result of the childminder's care and organisation.

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and outcomes for children

Children thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder and are observed to be extremely secure and relaxed in her company. The childminder has a very pleasant manner, caring approach and a genuine interest in everything children do, which helps them to become confident and get on extremely well together. Children's behaviour is excellent and pre-school children show concern for their younger friends, this is promoted very well by the childminder who provides lots of positive praise and encouragement.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder supports children's play highly effectively. She introduces challenges, questions them and suggests new ideas, all of which helps children progress quickly in their learning. The childminder has extremely good knowledge This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of the six areas of learning and provides a stimulating range of experiences for the children daily. Close observations of children's play and development leads to planning for their future learning, so that learning is progressive and subsequently, children make very good progress towards the early learning goals. Children's progress is recorded in their learning journey, which is shared with parents. Daily diaries are also provided for parents to keep them regularly informed of their child's progress, care and learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children experience a good balance of self-chosen play and adult-led activities. Pre-school children are motivated to learn and enjoy playing in the sand and water. This helps them to learn about the properties of sand and water. They enjoy a variety of mark-making activities, such as painting stones to make ladybirds and drawing. The childminder provides opportunities for children to learn about living things, such as, tadpoles in the garden. Children confidently talk about the features of the tadpoles, how they lose their tails and gain legs to grow into a frog. This encourages children to examine change over time, whilst developing their knowledge and understanding of the world around them.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a very clean and extremely secure environment, where children can move around confidently and safely. Children benefit from being outside in the fresh air frequently and enjoy growing a range of plants in the garden and exploring for mini-beasts. They visit local playgroups, where they have good opportunities to move freely with pleasure and confidence in a range of ways. The childminder has very good systems in place to help children understand and adopt healthy habits, such as good hygiene practices. For example, all children have their own distinct towels and confidently follow good personal hygiene routines. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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Stage

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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