Childminder in Cumberland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY407610 Inspection date 12/01/2012 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 has been registered since April 2010. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Silecroft, near Millom in Cumbria. The whole of the first floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. The garden is currently not suitable for outside play. The childminder lives close to a park and beach and a short drive away from schools and other amenities. The childminder attends local toddler groups. The family has two pet cats.

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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 two children attending on a part-time basis who are in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder is getting to know the uniqueness of each child and is beginning to assess the children's progress in their learning and development. The children are safeguarded well due to the health and safety procedures in place. Partnerships with parents are good and there are satisfactory systems in place for when the childminder is required to work in partnerships with other professionals. The childminder is beginning to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of her practice by undertaking a self-evaluation process, however this is in its early stages.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the system for observing and assessing children's learning outcomes so that their next steps in their learning are planned and their progress is clearly tracked  develop further the system of self-evaluation, for example by completing the Ofsted self-evaluation form, in order to identify strengths and weaknesses and maintain continuous improvement  extend the range of resources and activities that promote diversity so that children learn about differences.

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the early years provision

The children are safeguarded well because the childminder has undertaken training and has a safeguarding children policy in place. She has a clear understanding of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the indicators of abuse and the correct procedures to follow should she have concerns about any of the children. Written risk assessments covering potential hazards in the house and on outings are in place. The childminder ensures the children's safety by being vigilant and providing supervision at all times. Emergency evacuation drills are practised regularly in order to teach children how to stay safe if there is an emergency. The childminder has worked hard to ensure that all of the required documentation is in place, including written policies, daily records and parental consents. A satisfactory selection of age-appropriate resources, such as toys and books, are available for children to choose what they

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the early years provision

would like to play with. The childminder is in the process of transforming her lounge into a designated play room and is organising the play equipment into labelled boxes. The childminder makes good use of training and advice from the local authority support staff in order to keep up-to-date with the current welfare requirements.

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the early years provision

The childminder satisfactorily promotes equality and diversity by creating an inclusive environment where all children and their families are welcome. She has some resources, such as dolls that promote positive images of diversity, however the range of such resources are currently limited. There are no children attending who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. None of the children currently attend other settings offering the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, the childminder is aware of the importance of sharing information with other settings and agencies when appropriate to support children's continuity of care. The childminder works in partnership with parents and conscientiously shares information with them on a daily basis. This is done both verbally and by using daily diaries, photographs and development files. Parents comment in questionnaires how satisfied they are with the care provided by the childminder.

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the early years provision

The childminder understands the need for professional development and maintaining continuous improvements. The required training courses have been undertaken and the childminder is conscientious in her approach to childminding. She has started to identify her strengths and areas for further development, but the self-evaluation process is in its early stages.

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and outcomes for children

The children are settled and happy with this nurturing and caring childminder. Children feel safe and comfortable in this homely environment as the childminder conscientiously attends to their individual needs. They learn about staying safe, for example children know that they must not go near the cooker in case it is hot and they take care when climbing the stairs. The children have opportunities to adopt healthy lifestyles through eating nutritious snacks, such as raisins and bananas. The garden is currently not suitable for children to use. However, they have regular opportunities to play at the nearby park and beach. Hygiene practices are appropriately followed as the children are taught to wash their hands and dry them on their individual towels. The children have many opportunities to socialise with other children at the childminder's home and the various groups they attend. This helps them to learn important life skills, such as sharing toys, taking turns and

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and outcomes for children

playing nicely with each other. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder is beginning to undertake observations of the children's activities and achievements. Records show examples of the children's progress through written observations and photographs. From the limited information available, the children appear to be making satisfactory progress in their learning and development. However, this system is in its early stages and therefore is not fully established to clearly track how the children are progressing in all areas of their learning. The information gathered from the observations is not yet being used systematically by the childminder to plan the children's next steps in their learning.

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and outcomes for children

The children are developing satisfactory skills in communication, language and literacy as the childminder provides a selection of books and mark-making equipment, such as paints. Children are developing problem solving skills and shape awareness as they play with shape sorters. The children are encouraged to count in every day situations, such as, counting ducks on the pond. They count as they build with building blocks and look at books with numbers in. The children have opportunities to learn about every day technology as they use age- appropriate programmable toys, such as press-button toy telephones. The children's creativity and imaginations are encouraged through craft activities, role play and musical instruments. They enjoy baking biscuits and cakes and decorating them. They also play with salt dough and make different shapes, such as the shape of their hands. Overall, children enjoy their time spent with this friendly

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and outcomes for children

childminder. 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 2 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 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 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: 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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