Childminder in Westmorland and Furness

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 317101 Inspection date 15/03/2011 Inspector Sandra Williams

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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 assesses 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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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 was registered in 1996. She lives with her husband and their three children aged 20, 17 and 11 years in Kendal, Cumbria. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's dormer-bungalow is used for childminding as well as the bathroom and back bedroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder lives close to local schools, shops and parks and she attends local toddler groups. The family has a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently nine children on roll, five of whom are in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder also provides care to four children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children with English as an additional language. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She holds a National Vocational Qualification Level 3 in Children's Care, Learning and Development. She is currently working towards becoming an accredited childminder with a view to providing nursery education for three- and four-year-old children.

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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

This highly effective and enthusiastic childminder respects and caters for all children's unique and individual needs exceptionally well. She makes sure that she successfully promotes children's safety, welfare and learning to an excellent standard. Partnerships with parents, other agencies and other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage are highly effective in successfully promoting children's welfare and learning. This means that children are making excellent progress towards the early learning goals, given their age, ability and starting points. The childminder has a driving ambition and commitment to excellence and is constantly self-evaluating her practice to maintain continuous improvements.

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further?

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

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further?

 enhancing the already excellent procedures for observing, assessing and planning children's learning and development by using the progress records to systematically track their progress further. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are extremely well safeguarded because the childminder has completed training and has a very good knowledge of the indicators of abuse and the procedures to follow should she have any concerns about the children. She also has excellent safeguarding policies and procedures in place. The childminder provides an exemplary childcare service and is extremely well organised and professional. Detailed and robust risk assessments are undertaken to ensure that the premises is extremely safe and free of hazards. There are robust security systems in place which keep children safe and secure and the children are never left alone with anyone who has not been vetted. Emergency evacuation drills take place regularly to ensure that all children are fully aware of the procedures to follow in the event of an emergency.

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the early years provision

The childminder is totally committed to providing an excellent childcare service. The recommendations from the previous inspection have been thoroughly addressed, which have enhanced the quality of the provision. The self-evaluation process is well established and takes into account the views of parents and children. The childminder makes exceptionally good use of resources, including training opportunities, to meet the needs of the children. The deployment of resources is excellent as the childminder provides continuous provision inside and in the garden. Children thoroughly enjoy playing with a fantastic range of exciting, stimulating and imaginative resources, both inside and outside. All of the resources are easily accessible to the children so that they can freely make choices throughout the day. The children are learning about taking care of their environment as they help to recycle household items and compost garden and

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the early years provision

Equality and diversity is completely promoted and embraced by the childminder. She makes sure that all children are well integrated and the development of all children in relation to their starting points is excellent. The childminder works very closely with parents to make sure that the children's individual requirements are respected and adhered to. The environment is rich in resources and activities that reflect positive attitudes about diversity.

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the early years provision

Partnership working is a key strength of the childminder who has excellent relationships with parents and carers. Parents and carers are very well informed about all aspects of their children's achievements, well-being and development. Parents are also provided with a very informative introductory pack which clearly details the day to day procedures and routines followed by the childminder. Parents complete questionnaires and the comments are extremely favourable about the care provided to their children. Partnerships with other professionals are well developed and are highly effective in supporting children and their families. Close links with local schools and pre-schools also help with the smooth transition of the children when it is time for them to move on. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children thoroughly enjoy their time spent with this enthusiastic, caring and warm childminder. The homely environment is innovatively resourced and effectively meets the needs of all of the children who attend. All children have excellent opportunities to adopt healthy lifestyles and enjoy the fresh air as they access the fantastic outdoor play area. It provides them with so many opportunities to explore and learn. The garden provides children with many opportunities to learn about sustainability as they grow plants from seed and compost garden waste. The children have terrific opportunities to develop their physical skills as they play with the vast range of outdoor play equipment as well as going on outings to various places of interest. Children have a very good understanding of the importance of following good personal hygiene routines and they are aware of why they need to wash their hands at appropriate times. They all have individual bags made for

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and outcomes for children

them by the childminder which contain their own personal belongings. They have their own hand towels and toothbrushes in order to avoid cross-infection. They show an excellent understanding of healthy eating as they are provided with a healthy choice of snacks and meals. All children feel safe and happy as they enjoy close attachments and excellent relationships with the childminder. They display extremely high levels of confidence and self-esteem as they make choices and play exceptionally well independently and with their peers. The childminder places great emphasis upon teaching the children about safety. They show an excellent understanding of what standards of behaviour are expected and apply these in order to keep themselves and others safe. For example, they know they are not to run in the house or throw toys.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making excellent progress in their learning and development due to the wonderful and imaginative range of activities that are planned to meet their individual needs and interests. Regular observations and assessments provide the childminder with information used very effectively to plan for children's next steps. The childminder has acquired some new progress record forms which she has not started to use as yet. These are for systematically tracking children's progress in their learning and development. The children are encouraged to develop independence skills as they learn to dress and undress. Their learning is enhanced by the use of an interactive book which has zips, laces and buckles. The children love to dress Oscar the Bear in different outfits when he accompanies them on various trips and outings.

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and outcomes for children

The children develop their mark-making skills by using a range of different items both inside and outside. They particularly enjoy making marks with water and brushes outdoors. They also enjoy making marks by rolling marbles in paint and by doing hand prints. They also enjoy looking at a wide range of age-appropriate books that are very well organised in a cosy corner with cushions and rugs for the children to sit on. They learn to count by playing games and they learn to recognise numerals that are imaginatively displayed in the environment. They learn to measure by using the height chart and they enjoy seeing how much they have grown. Children make a positive contribution and learn to appreciate and respect the diverse world we live in. They learn about different cultures by undertaking This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 various activities such as making Rangoli patterns and clay pots for Diwali. The

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and outcomes for children

children's creativity is encouraged in many ways, for example, crafts, play dough and gloop as well as role play and music. Children develop very good skills in information and communication technology due to the resources available to them, such as a camera, computer, magnifying glass, interactive books and numerous other programmable toys. The children learn about nature when they go on nature walks and collect leaves to study under the magnifying glass. Overall, children benefit greatly from attending this inspiring setting. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

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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