Childminder in Cumberland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY439925 Inspection date 03/08/2012 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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 2012. She lives with her husband and two children aged 14 and 11 years in Cleater Moor, near Egremont, Cumbria. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding. The rooms on the first floor are excluded. There is an 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. 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. There are currently four children on roll in the early years age range who attend for various sessions. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and pre-schools and has use of a car to transport children on outings. The family has a Cocker Spaniel dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a Diploma in Nursery Nursing and is a member of the National Childminding Association. She receives support from the local childminding childcare advisers.

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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 thrive in the care of this highly professional, qualified and experienced childminder who provides an inclusive, safe and secure, child-orientated environment where children are happy and contented. The childminder's motivated and positive approach in caring for children and the effective implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage ensures that their individual needs and interests are met and they make good progress in their learning and development. Children benefit from the positive relationships established with their parents and the invaluable sharing of information which contributes greatly to children's continuity of care and future learning. Documents and records are well maintained and the childminder has made a good start to the self-evaluation process by identifying her strengths and areas for development through consultation with parents and development workers.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the provision of resources that help children's sensory development and creativity through exploring and investigating natural materials. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children feel safe and secure through the close supervision and individual support they receive from this highly skilled early years practitioner. They play in a safe environment where risks or potential hazards are identified through detailed risk assessment. Children are effectively safeguarded. The childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibility in child protection matters and the procedures she must follow. All the required documentation is maintained including a detailed set of policies and procedures which are shared with parents. Children begin to develop their own understanding of safety and how to keep themselves safe through instruction and example. They practise the fire evacuation procedure so they know what to do in an emergency and they learn the green cross code so they can cross the road safely.

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the early years provision

Everyone is warmly welcomed into the childminder's home. She creates an inclusive environment in which children are treated as individuals and activities are provided that enable all children to take part. Children learn and develop at their own pace and they are supported well to be considerate towards each other. Children can easily help themselves to a good selection of resources and equipment that meet their individual needs and interest, although there are limited natural resources within these for younger children to express creativity through their senses. The childminder provides children with opportunities to learn about the community they live in and celebrate the difference and diversity of the world around them.

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the early years provision

Children are familiar with their surroundings; therefore, they are happy, relaxed and contented. The childminder shares information with parents on noticeboards, daily diary record books and children's record books. Parents are invited to contribute to their children's diary and progress records are shared regularly so learning and development can be continued at home. Children and parents truly benefit from this positive and informative approach. The childminder has also made links with the other settings children attend. She understands the importance of continuing to develop this to ensure continuity of care and to complement the learning taking place between them.

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the early years provision

The childminder is an experienced and qualified practitioner who keeps herself up- to-date in early years issues. She regularly attends courses and training sessions and meets with other childminders to share information. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the self-evaluation process and is fully aware of her strengths and areas for development. She also takes on board any recommendations made by local authority workers and seeks the views of parents to help improve her practice. 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 all areas of their learning. The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and implements it effectively to support children's learning and development. She knows the children well and supports their individual needs and interests successfully through their play. Parents feel involved and state how happy they are at the progress their children have made since starting. Each child's progress folder contains photographs, observations and assessments which are linked to the six areas of learning. The next steps in children's learning are clearly identified in planning documents and development trackers show how well children are progressing in relation to their starting points.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and confident in their surroundings. The childminder recognises when younger children just want to snuggle in and talks to them so they feel safe and loved when they are not the centre of adult attention. The childminder organises the available space successfully so that children can move around safely and freely. She makes sure younger children can access low-level equipment so they can pull themselves up to a standing position, and then walk around. Children's interests are met in activities and the provision of resources. They enjoy listening to the background music as they comfortably sit on the floor playing with the soft farm animals and farm set. The childminder effectively supports children's communication and language skills as they play. She makes sure that she remains physically close to them, making eye contact and repeating words as the children create their own personal words or saying their first single-

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and outcomes for children

words. Children enjoy mark-making activities and listening to the childminder singing favourite songs and nursery rhymes. Children are well behaved and they begin feel valued because the childminder offers lots of praise and encouragement. This has a very positive impact on children's social and emotional development and contributes to them developing a respect for themselves and others.

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and outcomes for children

Children's engage in numerous outings and outdoor activities which help promote their physical development, personal, social and emotional development and healthy lifestyle. They enjoy walks to the surrounding fields to see the animals, visit parks and playgrounds within the local community and attend adventure play centres. Children also attend social groups where they meet other children and their carers. Healthy eating is promoted. Children eat a nutritious breakfast and midmorning snack, and parents provide a healthy packed lunch meal which is stored safely till required. Children become aware of hygiene issues and routines. They follow the good role model set by the childminder as they learn about hand washing and drying their hands using their own individual towel. 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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