Childminder in Cumbria

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY256490 Inspection date 15/03/2011 Inspector Lisa Patterson

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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 2003. She lives with her parents near Grange- over-Sands in Cumbria. Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor, including bathroom facilities. One bedroom is used upstairs for sleeping purposes only. The garden is not suitable for use therefore the childminder makes use of local playground facilities. Family pets include a cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for five children in this age group. The childminder's mother works alongside her as an assistant. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five to eleven years and is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder take children to and collects children from the local school and playgroup.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has sufficient understanding of the children's individual needs and uses this to promote their learning and welfare. Children are safe and secure and move freely between activities, however, records of risk assessment are not available for inspection. Partnerships with parents are supportive however partnerships with other settings providing the Early Years Foundation Stage are less effective. This means that children make adequate progress. Documentation regarding children's development and welfare is not well organised. The childminder is committed to improvement and keeps up to date in a variety of ways.

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further?

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

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further?

 provide a record of the risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident. (Documentation) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 14/06/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 organise records more effectively to ensure they are more easily accessible This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and available for inspection by Ofsted  use systematic observations and assessments of achievements more effectively to identify clear learning priorities and plan motivating learning experiences for each child, linking these to the expectations of the early learning goals  share relevant information more effectively with other settings providing the Early Years Foundation Stage, in order to ensure continuity and coherence.

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the early years provision

Children are reasonably well safeguarded because the childminder has attended training in child protection. She has a secure understanding of the indicators of abuse and the procedure to follow should she have a concern. Her practice in all aspects of her service is supported by written policy documents which are shared with parents and updated in the light of changes to legislation. The home is safe and secure however, the record of risk assessment is not available for the home and some outings. This is a breach of the welfare requirements. Documentation is all in place for the children however, is so disorganised that it is not easily accessible should the need arise.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to further professional development and attends training when she has transport available. She also keeps herself abreast of current development through using the internet and accessing the Ofsted website. While she has not completed any formal self- evaluation, she has made progress since the last inspection through addressing recommendations and implementing the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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the early years provision

Resources are plentiful and well organised to allow independent access. The childminder has added words and picture labels to boxes so that children can become more independent. The childminder is with the children at their level all the time, offering additional resources or interacting with resources of their choice.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are successful. They receive information about the setting and there is a flexible settling-in process in which both parties can get to know each other. There is a daily written information exchange in the form of a diary and parents comment that this is valued. They say that the childminder always puts the children first and is there to support parents. Partnerships with other settings providing the Early Years Foundation Stage have been established though have not been formalised in order to support specific identified areas of development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and well occupied in the childminder's home. They move freely about the lounge room, accessing a good selection of toys and resources from This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 easily accessible storage. They are encouraged to share and take turns and are reminded of manners, as a resultof which behaviour is good. They are safe and respond well to the childminder's request to tidy up so that they do not trip over. They are offered reassurance by both the childminder and her assistant when they are lacking in confidence and this adds to their sense of security. Hygiene standards are good and children are learning to take responsibility for minimising the spread of infection through washing their hands before meals. They take part in plenty of exercise, both during walks to the school and on trips to the local park or to see the ducks. Meals are freshly prepared and support a balanced, nutritious

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and outcomes for children

diet. Children's likes and dislikes and requests on the day are taken into account.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has made a start in using observations to plan individual next steps for learning. The documentation surrounding this is not well organised and, as a result, systems for monitoring children's progress are not fully effective. While there is a wide range of exciting and innovative activities in which children can become absorbed, there is sometimes an overemphasis on completing worksheets.

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and outcomes for children

Children laugh and play together. In the hallway, the walls are adorned with words and pictures showing different cultures, languages, numbers and letters. Displays of photographs add to children's sense of belonging. Children thoroughly enjoy snuggling up with the childminder for a story. They lift the flaps and shout with surprise at what they see. Interactions from the childminder help them to look after books and learn to turn the pages in the right order. The childminder and her assistant make good use of everyday tasks for supporting learning, such as counting objects as they tidy away. Younger children often mimic the older children, counting too. They learn a lot about different parts of the world through planned activities such as celebrating Chinese New Year. They look at the different writing, language and the festivities in which people are involved. They have access to a sufficient selection of push button toys. They learn to look after the

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and outcomes for children

world through learning not to be wasteful with water and enjoy planting seeds, the produce of which they can eat. They enjoy being creative with a range of paints and mixed media and are able to really express themselves because there is no specified end product. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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: 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. (Suitability and Safety of Premises and Equipment) 14/06/2011

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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. (Suitability and Safety of Premises and Equipment) 14/06/2011

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