Childminder in CumberlandOfsted inspection, 20 Mar 2012

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY355233 Inspection date 20/03/2012 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 15 and 12 years in Whitehaven, Cumbria. The whole ground floor of the home is used for childminding, and the bathroom is situated 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 is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of five children aged under eight years 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, of whom seven are in the early years age group. Children attend for various sessions. The childminder also offers care to children aged over eight years. She walks to school to take and collect children, and uses public transport to take them on outings. The childminder supports children who speak English as an additional language and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local childminding group. She receives support from the local childcare adviser.

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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

Children thrive in the company of this exceptional childminder who provides an extensive range of effective and invaluable learning experiences and play opportunities based on children's individual needs and interests. As a result, children make excellent progress in all areas of their learning and development. They play in an inclusive, safe and secure environment that is created through the effective measures, polices and procedures implemented to ensure the smooth running of the childminder's highly effective practice. Children benefit greatly from the exceptional partnerships established with parents and other settings they attend to ensure continuity of care, learning and development. The childminder is fully committed to evaluating her practice to identify her strengths and areas for development, to maintain continuous improvement for the benefit of the children she cares for.

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further?

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

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further?

 developing the self-evaluation process to demonstrate further the impact identified changes have made on the outcomes for children. 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 effectively safeguarded and protected as the childminder has an excellent understanding of her role and responsibility should she be concerned about any child in her care. She regularly attends safeguarding training and is very aware of child protection protocols and the indicators of abuse. Her record-keeping documents are meticulously maintained to ensure children's safety at all times. Children practise fire drills regularly and the childminder displays an evacuation plan which is clearly explained to children and parents. Children learn to keep themselves safe when playing outdoors and visiting places of interest. The childminder talks to children about road safely, stranger danger and not to touch animals. A very comprehensive set of policies and procedures are implemented to support all aspects of her practice. These are shared with parents, which contributes to the strong and effective working partnership she has with them.

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the early years provision

The childminder is a very caring practitioner who provides a truly professional service for parents, which they value highly. She demonstrates excellent organisational skills and is committed to the continual improvement of her childminding practice. This is through her own professional development and thorough self-evaluation of her practice. She invites parents, children and carers to be involved in this process through the completion of detailed questionnaires. The childminder has completed a number of training courses, which has a positive effect on the outcomes for children. The recommendation raised at the previous inspection has been positively addressed.

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the early years provision

Children and parents feel valued and respected. They are warmly welcomed into the setting and quickly develop a sense of belonging. The childminder creates an inclusive environment in which children are treated as individuals. They learn at their own pace and to consider each other as they play. The childminder provides a magnificent selection of resources that meet the needs of children of all ages. Children learn about the difference and diversity of the world around them through the provision of resources and the celebrating of cultural festivals and special days. Children's home language is supported and any specialist help is sought to aid children's development. They explore their local community and benefit from the numerous interesting outings they undertake. They use public transport, visit the library, and socialise with other children while attending several toddler groups and soft play facilities.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed excellent relationships with parents, other professionals and the other settings children attend. The well-established and effective systems in place help to keep parents fully informed of their children's care and learning. These include displays of information on the childminder's notice board, daily exchanges of information and the sharing of information in children's message books and progress books. Parents and carers are extremely complimentary about the childminder and the service she provides. They state how the childminder 'provides a safe, secure, home-from-home environment', that she is 'very caring and patient', and how 'children always enjoy themselves and have fun'. These well-established links with other professionals and providers promote This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 consistency of children's care and enable all parties to fully complement children's

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and outcomes for children

Children are exceptionally well cared for and are making excellent progress in all areas of their development. The childminder provides a highly stimulating and interesting learning environment for children. She skilfully challenges, reinforces and supports them as they take part in an abundance of fun-filled activities. Parents are provided with exceptionally well-produced progress folders containing detailed observations and assessment of children's development. These are clearly linked to the six areas of learning and also contain photos and samples of children's work. Planning follows children's interests and the childminder carefully adapts activities to include the next identified areas of development children need to achieve. Discussions with the childminder and the supporting records show that children are making excellent progress in relation to their starting points. Regular updates in children's learning are shared with parents, who regularly contribute to

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and outcomes for children

The childminder effectively gathers information from parents to ensure that children's individual interests and abilities are catered for. This informs the provision of play opportunities for them during the day. Children are confident, relaxed and settled. The childminder organises the family home and the available space successfully so that children can move around freely. She makes sure an excellent selection of high-quality toys and resources are freely available. Therefore, children can explore and investigate in their own time and at their own pace. Planning effectively supports children's interests; for example, a love of animals is incorporated into a farm theme. Children learn about growth and caring for living things as they plant seeds, water them and watch them grow. They enjoy alternative mark-making activities with soil on trays and hunt for objects hidden in the sand. They work cooperatively and support each other as they play. Children

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and outcomes for children

examine and discuss what they can see, how many items there are and what they are doing. Their language and communication skills are exceptionally well promoted in all the activities through the constant interaction with the childminder as they play. Children are very well behaved, and their self-esteem and confidence are effectively promoted because the childminder offers lots of praise and encouragement. This has a very positive impact on children's social and emotional development.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder ensures that the children's health and well-being are extremely well supported. She ensures a meticulous approach to promoting children's good health and hygiene practices. They understand why they must wash their hands, and do so before eating and after toileting or playing outside. The childminder colour-coordinates the children's towels, plates and eating utensils so that they can identify which are theirs. Children enjoy healthy snacks and packed lunch meals. They talk about which foods are healthy and which are eaten only as a treat. Learning opportunities are effectively used during routine activities; for example, children learn how to competently use knives to butter toast, and count the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 number of stairs to the bathroom. They learn about their bodies and how exercise keeps them healthy. They warm up before walks and physical activities and listen

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and outcomes for children

to their heart after running around. 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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