Childminder in Westmorland and Furness

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY440002 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 Integrated Education and Care of Children and Young People.

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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 are well cared for as the childminder recognises and respects their individual needs and interests. She and her co-childminder follow good procedures to promote children's health and safety which covers the majority of safety requirements. Children make good progress towards the early learning goals which is reflected in their progress files. The wide range of easily accessible play resources enjoyed by the children do not yet fully include those to promote diversity. The childminder reflects upon her strengths and areas for development by completing a self-evaluation process which ensures continuous improvement. Relationships with parents and with other providers are strong and ensure children receive continuity of care.

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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 risk assessments, for example by regularly reviewing any potential hazards children may come into contact with, with reference to ensuring the door keys are kept out of children's reach at all times.

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the early years provision

The children are well safeguarded because the childminder has undertaken safeguarding training and has a good understanding of how to keep children safe from harm. The comprehensive safeguarding policy is readily available to follow should they have any concerns about the children. The risk assessments are well written and are regularly reviewed to ensure hazards to children are kept to a minimum. Children learn about fire safety as they practise regular fire drills with the childminder. Children are kept generally safe and secure and children are well supervised. The childminder usually stores the front door key out of children's reach; however, it was left in the lock in error during the inspection. This poses a minor risk to children's safety but is not a significant concern as it is not the usual practice undertaken. The required documentation, including written policies and daily records, is well organised and thorough. The childminder provides a good

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the early years provision

range of play resources and activities for the children and they are rotated to provide variety. Children show a good understanding of diversity by engaging in activities that help support this. However, the childminder is still in the process of developing the range of resources and activities in order to broaden children's experiences and understanding of diversity even further.

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the early years provision

Children attending who have additional needs are very well supported. The childminder has a secure understanding of the importance of working closely with other professionals when the need arises. Constructive working relationships exist with other providers offering the Early Years Foundation Stage, such as staff at the local schools and nurseries. A two-way flow of information is shared about the children's welfare and progress in order to provide a consistent approach to their care and learning. The childminder is very approachable and she works hard to help parents feel at ease so that they work well together in the best interests of the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a commitment to professional development as she attends the required training courses and has recently completed a Foundation Degree in Education and Care of Children and Young People. She works very closely and consistently with her co-childminder and they constantly reflect upon their practice in order to identify their strengths and areas for further development. They have successfully created a welcoming and inclusive environment which promotes equality and diversity well by ensuring that all children and their families are very welcome. They provide a very caring environment where parents are able to share their concerns and know that they can trust and rely on the childminders to provide a high level of support to them and their children. 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 happy, confident and feel safe in this homely and friendly environment where they enjoy close relationships with the childminder. When on outings with the childminder, the children learn to keep themselves safe when crossing roads and the older children take care of the younger children. They also keep themselves and others safe whilst playing. For example, they learn not to throw sand around in case it hurts people's eyes. The children are well behaved and are learning good manners, such as saying please and thank you at mealtimes.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress in their learning and development as the childminder provides a variety of play resources that cover all areas of learning. The childminder has a secure understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements. She works closely with her co-childminder to keep detailed records of the children's progress through written observations and photographs. The observations are linked to the early learning goals in order to plan for the children's next steps in their learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children have effective opportunities to adopt healthy lifestyles as they enjoy playing in the garden. They develop good coordination as they choose from a wide range of outdoor play equipment, such as the sit and ride toys and the footballs. Children also enjoy regular outings in the fresh air. When the weather is not suitable for outdoor play, the children thoroughly enjoy taking part in dancing and exercise indoors. They dance, jump, turn around and even balance on one leg. The children also enjoy throwing and catching balloons and rolling balls to each other. This all helps them to develop good hand to eye coordination. The children learn about healthy eating as the childminder talks to them about the benefits of eating fruit and vegetables to help them grow and be strong. They also learn about the importance of good hygiene practices as they wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy learning about information and communication technology as they play with programmable toys, such as press button toys and electronic toys. They also develop skills in using the lap top with its coloured key board and mouse. The children are making good progress in their literacy skills as they enjoy choosing books from the book box to read and look at the pictures. They are learning the sounds of the letters that spell their names as they have made their own place mats with their names on. This is helping them to recognise their own names and those of the other children. They enjoy learning to count as they play their favourite games and sing their favourite number rhymes, such as 'five speckled frogs' and 'five little ducks'. Their creativity and imaginations are also encouraged through role play, dressing up in costumes and painting pictures that are displayed on the wall. Overall, children thoroughly enjoy their time spent in this stimulating

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and outcomes for children

and friendly 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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