Childminder in Westmorland and Furness

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY440016 Inspection date 17/07/2012 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 January 2012. She lives with her mother, father and two adult sisters in Kendal, Cumbria. Her mother and twin sister are also registered childminders and her father is an assistant. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, as well as the bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder lives close to local schools, playgroups, shops and parks.

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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, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. When working with two other registered childminders they may care for a maximum of 14 children under eight years, of whom nine may be in the early years age range. There are currently 20 children attending who are in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder also offers care to seven children aged over five years.

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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. She offers support to children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children with English as an additional language. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She holds a CACHE Diploma Level 3 in Childcare and Education and a Foundation Degree in Early Years Education and Care.

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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's needs are well met in this homely setting as their unique qualities are recognised and respected. They are making good progress in their learning and development, which is reflected in their progress files. Children enjoy a wide range of activities and resources which are easily accessible to children, although, activities that reflect diversity are not yet fully established. Children are well safeguarded due to the thorough procedures that address the majority of the safety requirements. Partnerships with parents and with other providers are effective in ensuring a consistent approach to the children's care and learning. The childminder reflects upon her strengths and areas for development by completing a self-evaluation process which ensures continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 increase the range of resources and activities to nurture children's understanding and respect of different cultures in order to develop positive attitudes towards diversity This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  improve the level of security within the setting by ensuring that the door keys are kept out of children's reach at all times.

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the early years provision

The children are safeguarded because the childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding issues and procedures. She has undertaken safeguarding training and has a comprehensive policy to follow should she have any concerns about the children. The childminder is conscientious about keeping children safe and she maintains and reviews thorough written risk assessments to minimise hazards in the house and on outings. The front door is kept locked, however, the keys are sometimes left in the lock which is within reach of some of the children. This does present the possibility of children opening the door themselves. Written policies and procedures required for the delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage are informative and available for parents and others to refer to if they wish. A good selection of toys and books are available to help children of all ages make good progress in their learning. Children are able to self-select the resources and thus

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the early years provision

The childminder and her co-childminder create an inclusive and welcoming environment. This promotes equality and diversity well by ensuring that all children and their families are very welcome. Children with additional needs are very well supported and integrated in the setting. The range of activities and play resources to help children learn about different cultures, however, is not yet fully established. The childminder works hard to encourage a good working partnership with the children's parents so that children's individual needs are well catered for in a sensitive way. The childminder is extremely caring and intuitive and provides a very flexible, home from home service for the children and their families. She is fully committed to providing a holistic service for children, by working jointly with other agencies and professionals, such as speech and occupational therapists.

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the early years provision

The childminder and her co-childminder have developed positive links with other providers offering the Early Years Foundation Stage, such as local schools and nurseries. They have good systems for sharing information about the children's progress in order to provide a consistent approach to their learning and development. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to professional development and reflective practice. She has completed many relevant training courses including a foundation degree in early years. She strives to maintain high standards and continuous improvements. She and her co-childminder are constantly reflecting on their practice in order to identify their strengths and areas for further development. 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 making good progress in their development and learning as the childminder provides a varied and interesting range of activities to cover all areas of learning. The childminder knows the individual children well and she plans activities for them based around their particular interests. She also takes into account their ages and abilities by differentiating the activities so that they are all involved. The children enjoy a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities throughout the day. The childminder records the children's individual progress by linking their achievements to the early learning goals and the observations result in planned next steps in their learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children thoroughly enjoy the freedom to explore the well-equipped garden. This promotes good opportunities for the children to enjoy plenty of fresh air and exercise. They learn awareness of space as they safely manoeuvre the sit and ride toys. They delight in playing 'peek-a-boo' as they hide in the play house and open and shut the doors and windows. Whilst playing with the sand in the garden, children learn about volume and weights as they fill and empty their containers. They learn to count and recognise different sizes and shapes as they play with the special stepping stones. They also practise their balancing and jumping skills as they jump for one stepping stone to another. Children also enjoy regular outings to play parks and soft play centres where they also have plenty of opportunities to develop their physical skills. The children are encouraged to make healthy choices at snack and meal times which always includes fresh fruit and vegetables. Fresh

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and outcomes for children

drinking water is available at all times in the children's own water bottles. Children are developing independence skills as they wash their hands, learn to feed themselves and help to prepare their lunches.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about keeping themselves safe in many ways, for example, when out with the childminder, they learn about road safety. They feel safe due to the reassurance and nurturing provided to them by the childminder and her co- childminder. The children are learning good manners and positive social skills. For example, they are encouraged not to take toys away from each other, but to share them and play cooperatively together, for example, when playing with the spades and sand.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop skills in information and communication technology as they have access to various age appropriate programmable toys, such as press button toys and activity centres, as well as a laptop and electronic games. The children are making good progress in their communication and literacy skills as they help themselves to books which they sit and read in the cosy den. They make marks with the wide choice of crayons and pencils and paints using their feet and hands. The children develop their creativity as they undertake various activities, such as, crafts and paintings which are proudly displayed on the wall in the 'art gallery'. Their creativity and imaginations are also encouraged through role play, for example, playing with a toy kitchen. Overall, children thoroughly enjoy their time spent in this homely, warm environment. 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: 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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