Childminder in Westmorland and Furness

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY344168 Inspection date 21/03/2012 Inspector Geoff Dorrity

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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 November 2006. She lives with her son, aged seven years in Kendal. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding, apart from her bedroom and the front garden. There is a garden to the rear of the property for outside play. Nearby facilities include a library, park, playgroups, and recycling centre. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Cildcare Register. She may care for a maximum of five children under eight years of age at any one time. There are currently seven children on roll of whom three are in the early years age group. Children attend at various times. The childminder transports children to and from local schools and attends the toddler group. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties, or who speak English as a second language. She has a professional childcare qualification and several

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Description of the childminding

years' experience in a nursery setting. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

Outcomes for children in all areas are good. Children make good progress because they are provided with high quality care. The childminder ensures their individual needs are met and provides an overall stimulating environment conducive to learning. The childminder regularly reviews her provision and practice and makes improvements based on this. Good professional relationships with parents and other provision provide children with a consistency which assures their protection and supports their learning. All children are included well. A particular strength observed at the time of the inspection was the secure relationship and strong attachment shown toward the childminder.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the outdoor environment to fully reflect the six areas of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage

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the early years provision

The childminder has a comprehensive awareness of safeguarding issues. She has undertaken relevant training, understands her role in child protection and the procedures to follow. Parents are made aware of this. The childminder regularly undertakes effective risk assessments. All doors are locked and visitors must show This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their identity and sign a visitors book before entry is permitted. Safety gates are used appropriately and child height handrails have been installed on the garden steps. This means that children are effectively safeguarded and protected.

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the early years provision

The childminder is qualified and knowledgeable about the Early Years Foundation Stage and attends training to keep abreast of developments and improve her practice. She uses this to support children well. Good quality planning based on observation and assessment means that children make progress in their learning. The indoor environment is organised to reflect the areas of learning. Children freely access high quality resources. These are fit for purpose and are focussed on individual children's interests and needs. The outdoor environment does not support all areas of learning; however, the childminder recognises this and has identified it as an area for improvement. She extends the children's experience through trips to the local play parks and soft play. She arranges visits further afield to farms, zoos and other places of interest.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed highly effective partnerships with parents. They contribute to the daily diaries and development journals enabling them to input to their child's learning. With parental agreement, records and planning are shared with other providers of care and learning to ensure continuity for individual children. Parents are very happy with the care provided and are confident to leave their child. The childminder is a member of the local toddler group and attends some activities at the children's centre. This means that children can develop their social skills in a group environment.

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the early years provision

Equality and diversity is promoted at all levels. Resources reflect positive images and are used to stimulate discussions about similarities and differences. The childminder offers individualised support to meet the needs of each child and adapts activities so that all children are included. She works with the local childminder coordinator to develop her practice and access training. She analyses parental and child questionnaires when undertaking self evaluation to improve her effectiveness. Consequently, the outcomes for children and their experiences are positive.

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and outcomes for children

Children display a strong sense of belonging and security and are settled and happy. They are confident showing good levels of self esteem, praising themselves for achievements, such as clapping when they successfully complete an activity. They have a strong relationship with the childminder, snuggling up when going to sleep. They know and follow all the routines, taking off their shoes when entering the house and sitting down at the table to eat snacks. The childminder ensures children feel really safe and secure, their point of view is valued and all are included in group activities. When preparing for an outing the children discuss risks they may encounter and this is reinforced during the activity, for example practising road safety. They regularly practice fire evacuation procedures and the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder makes this an exciting learning activity by organising the attendance of

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and outcomes for children

Good health and wellbeing is positively promoted. Children understand the importance of dressing appropriately to go outdoors, fetching their shoes and those of the childminder, in preparation. Fruit and water are readily available and children are taught to wash their hands before eating. They understand the importance of healthy foods by playing games where they identify healthy and unhealthy foods, and through cooking activities. They grow salads and vegetables which they use to make soup. They enjoy going on trips to the local farm where they learn about where milk comes from and the process of making ice-cream. They often go to the local park to use the large play equipment and the softplay equipment at the toddler group.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress. The childminder regularly makes observations and uses these to plan enjoyable learning and developmental activities to meet individual needs. There are good quality displays to support letter recognition and early phonic skills. This is then reinforced when out walking by identifying letters on street signs. The reading area is resourced well, and children write their own books and stories to share. The younger children practice sounds by repeating language patterns when reading a book about a crocodile. The childminder makes learning fun. Children enjoy making shapes in the snow, composing their own music with instruments from different cultures, or going shopping to buy the ingredients to make pizzas for their menu. They particularly like the stimulating trips to places of interest such as the zoo and aquarium.

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is excellent. High standards of behaviour are made explicit by the childminder. The children understand the boundaries that have been set. They explore feelings in circle time activities and support each other when they are experiencing difficulties. Older children are encouraged to care for the younger ones. They are learning about other cultures and beliefs through the everyday use of resources, positive images in displays and the effective use of reference and story books, introducing them to new ideas and promoting diversity. 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 1 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 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 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: 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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