Childminder in Cumberland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY361441 Inspection date 07/11/2011 Inspector Carys Millican

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and 10 years in Brampton, Cumbria. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding. Children also have access to the bathroom and small front bedroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder either works alone or with another childminder. When working alone she is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. When working with another childminder, jointly, they are registered to care for a maximum of 12 children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more that six may be in the early years age range. Children attend various sessions on a part-time basis. There are currently 11 children on roll, of whom five are in the early years age group. The childminder also offers care to children aged over eight years. The childminder walks to school to take and collect children. She has use of a car to transport children on outings and school runs. The family have two pet hamsters and a fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is registered on the Early Years Register and 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and contented in the childminder's care and make steady progress in their learning and development, supported by a good range of resources and play opportunities that reflect their individual interests. Children are kept safe and secure in this warm and welcoming environment where policies and procedures are for the most part implemented well. The childminder is secure in her understanding for continuous self-evaluation and reflective practice to secure improvement and clearly understands where her future development is targeted and how this has been implemented. The good relationships established with parents and other settings children attend results in the sharing of information to ensure continuity of care and learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain prior written permission for each and every medicine from parents before any medication is given (Safeguarding and promoting the children's welfare).(also applies to both parts of the Childcare 07/11/2011 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Register)

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further?

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

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further?

 provide parents with information and ideas of help so they can continue to help with their children's learning at home  develop further the systems for self-evaluation for the continued improvement of practice and outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibility and the procedures to follow in safeguarding and child protection matters. The childminder supervises children well as they play and uses risk assessments effectively to monitor and identify any potential hazards in the home, garden and on outings. Most records, policies and procedures are effectively maintained to ensure children's safety and well-being. However, when administering medicine, prior written permission from parents is not obtained and this is a specific legal requirement of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework.

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the early years provision

The childminder is experienced in looking after children and continually develops and increases her knowledge by attending training and sharing good practice with her co-childminder. Written self-evaluation is in the early stage of development, however, the childminder is fully aware of what the strengths of the setting are and what improvements are needed. She takes on board recommendations and advice offered from childminding advisers and has completed all previous recommendations set at her last inspection.

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the early years provision

Parents are highly complementary of the service provided and praise the good care their children receive. Their views are sought regularly in the form of questionnaires and children's views are sought and responded to as they play. The positive relationships established with parents, results in information being shared well. Parents are actively involved in their children's learning, for example, through contributing to their children's records. Although, ideas on how children's learning can be continued at home are not encouraged. The childminder is proactive in sharing information with the other settings children attend to ensure continuity of care and learning.

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the early years provision

A good selection of resources and play equipment is provided. Difference and diversity is explored within the community and included in the versatile range of play experiences provided by the childminder. This helps children to develop their understanding of the similarities and difference of the world around them. Children attend toddler groups and undertake regular visits to places of interest where they learn to socialise with others and learn about the natural world around them. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a welcoming homely environment, where a good range of stimulating and exciting activities and play experiences are provided. Children confidently develop their individual skills as they are given opportunities to explore, investigate and increase their independence. Children benefit from the ongoing support and continuous interaction between them and their carer. She meets their needs effectively as they play, as resources match their interest and ability. Therefore, they remain interested, concentrate well and are fully engaged as they play. The childminder obtains initial information from parents and completes ongoing observation and assessment regularly to identify achievement and the next steps in learning. This is clearly seen in progress records, planning and the provision of resources for the children present.

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and outcomes for children

Children of different ages are well supported as they play. They are engaged in age-appropriate activities that stimulate and interest them and involve their favourite toys. For example, children's love of trains is supported through the provision of train tracks and associated train characters. They competently build the track, joining the pieces together, and run their wooden trains along it. Children's language and communication skills are reinforced as they name each engine, carriage and person. Children learn to play cooperatively beside each other and learn patience when younger children are involved. They behave very well and listen to the childminder's instructions, for example, at tidy-up time and snack time.

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and outcomes for children

Children sing songs and join in familiar nursery rhymes with the childminder. Their love of books is supported by the childminder who makes sure they are easily accessed from the low-level unit in the room. Younger children vocalise and imitate the different sounds they hear as the childminder speaks to them. Children feel at ease in the environment to confidently ask for malleable play materials and cutters. They sit at the table and competently make different shapes and count them as they do so.

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and outcomes for children

Children have opportunities to learn about and experience the wider world. They have access to resources that reflect difference, and enjoy dressing-up and role- play experiences. The childminder provides creative activities relating to different cultural events and Christian celebrations. Children regularly visit places of interest with the childminder, such as the local 'tarn' and woodlands. They collect eggs and grow their own flowers and vegetables in a local allotment garden.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about good hygiene practice as part of the daily routine. They learn how it is important to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating to wash the germs off. Children are given a coloured flannel each to dry their hands which they use throughout the day. Children are provided with a healthy, nutritious, home-cooked and freshly prepared midday meals, regular snacks, and access their drinks easily during the day. Their individual eating patterns and dietary needs are known by the childminder. Good opportunities are provided for outdoor play and physical exercise. The children access a range of sit-and-ride This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 toys, slides and trampolines in the garden and visit local parks and playgrounds close by. 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 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 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 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 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 2

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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 (also applies to the Voluntary part of the Childcare Register (Records to be kept). 07/11/2011

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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 (Records to be kept). 07/11/2011

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