Childminder in Westmorland and Furness

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 16/07/2013 03/05/2011

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 2 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 2

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This provision is good

 Children are very happy and totally relaxed in this homely and welcoming environment. They enjoy secure and trusting relationships with the warm and nurturing childminder, who fully supports their emotional well-being.  Children are making good progress in all areas of their learning and development. The childminder skilfully supports their language development well, by modelling language and extending children's vocabulary, as they play together.  The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding and health and safety procedures. This means that children remain safe and secure while in her care.  Partnerships with staff at the local school and pre-school are well established and effective in supporting children's care and learning and in helping them to prepare well for their transitions to school.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 There is scope to extend the use of the outdoor play area, to provide more opportunities for children to explore natural resources and materials to enhance their good sensory exploration and experiences.  There is room for the childminder to consider further ways of encouraging all parents to share more fully what they know about their children's learning and development at home, and to make more use of the information when assessing children's overall progress.

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Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are:  scheduled at least once in every inspection cycle – the current cycle ends on 31 July

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Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  scheduled at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the kitchen and the outdoor play area.  The inspector spoke to the childminder and jointly observed activities.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's records, planning documentation and policies and procedures.  The inspector took account of parent's views by reading their written comments.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 1994 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and their adult dependant, aged 21 years old, in Allithwaite, near Grange-over-Sands in Cumbria. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, as well as the bathroom and main bedroom on the first floor. There is garden for outside play. The childminder lives close to local schools, shops and parks. She collects children from the local schools and pre-schools. The family has two cats.

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Information about the setting

There are currently four children on roll in the early years age group, who attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The childminder and her husband are registered foster carers for the local authority.

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 enhance children's opportunities to develop their good sensory experiences in the outdoor play area, by providing a greater selection of natural resources and materials for them to explore

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 devise further ways to encourage all parents to share more information about their children's learning and development at home, to contribute to and enhance, the overall assessment of their progress.

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who attend

The childminder knows the children very well and effectively supports them in making good progress in their learning and development. She works closely with their parents to establish children's starting points in their development and to get to know their individual interests and needs. This helps children to settle happily in her care. She carefully and thoughtfully plans a wide range of activities that are tailored to children's individual interests and learning needs. Children have learning journal files containing observations and photographs and regular progress reports, as evidence of learning. The childminder accurately tracks and monitors children's ongoing development and plans appropriate next steps in their learning. Overall, children effectively develop the key skills they need for the next steps in their learning, including those required when they attend school. Parents have regular discussions with the childminder, which keeps them well informed of their

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who attend

child's progress. They are encouraged to share information about their child's learning at home. However, there is scope for the childminder to consider further ways of encouraging all parents to share what they know about their children's achievements at home, in order to enhance and build a more complete picture of children's learning and development in all aspects of their life.

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who attend

The childminder has developed good skills, knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of effective teaching and learning. As a result, she fully extends children's learning as she sensitively joins in with their play. Equally, she knows when to stand back and allow children uninterrupted time to play and explore on their own. This means that children enjoy a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities throughout the day. The childminder provides play resources that the children are interested in. She rotates the activities so that children receive a variety to choose from. As she is unable to have all of the play equipment out at any one time, she has produced a little set of laminated photographs of the toys available, so that children can make independent choices from the full range of equipment. Children confidently and independently choose from the wide selection of toys and books and enjoy free-flow between the kitchen and garden. They

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who attend

enjoy visiting the library and selecting books to read with the childminder. Words and letters are displayed on toy boxes and wall displays, which help children to understand that words carry meaning. The childminder actively encourages and supports children's speech and language development by, for example, clearly pronouncing familiar and new words for the children to learn and copy. When children make marks and create their unique pictures, the childminder writes their names on their pictures. As she does this, she models writing and also spells out the letters of the children's names phonetically and the children copy her. This fully supports their early language and literacy skills and helps to prepare them for their future readiness for school.

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who attend

Children develop good hand to eye coordination as they use tools, such as spades to fill buckets with sand. The childminder extends children's early numeracy skills by talking about different sized buckets and by encouraging children to count as they fill the buckets with sand. This supports children's awareness of number names and sizes. Resources, such as magnifying glasses and microscopes are well used by the children to study the features of bugs found in the garden. The childminder extends children's learning about the natural world by taking them to the library to choose books to read about bugs. Children also learn about similarities and differences in cultures and traditions by playing with resources and undertaking planned activities. The children enjoy a wide range of activities throughout the day. The treasure basket containing natural, everyday objects and materials provide children with a selection of sensory experiences to explore inside.

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who attend

However, opportunities for children to explore natural resources and materials, outdoors, to enhance their sensory experiences are not yet fully developed.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children's emotional well-being is well-supported because the childminder provides a homely, welcoming and relaxed environment. Children settle easily into this homely setting due to the childminder's calm and nurturing manner. When children first attend the setting, the childminder works closely with parents to make sure the children's routines and care needs are well known and carefully and consistently followed. The childminder helps children to feel welcomed by displaying their art work on the walls and by organising activities that she knows they enjoy. Children are relaxed and feel comfortable and secure in the childminder's care and enjoy close and trusting relationships with her. They respond positively to the attention and praise they receive, which fosters their confidence and self- esteem.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children learn about the importance of leading healthy lifestyles, as they enjoy daily fresh air and exercise. They freely move between the garden and house and develop good physical coordination and control by playing with a wide range of resources. They climb and slide down the slide and push dolls in buggies. They also enjoy visits to the parks and dance sessions. These outings support children's physical development and good health. The childminder helps children to understand the importance of healthy eating by providing a good selection of nutritious snacks and meals. She carefully plans weekly menus consisting of healthy foods, such as fruit and vegetables. Parents are informed about the food their children eat each day and they can view the menus. The childminder teaches children self-care skills, such as, the importance of washing their hands before eating. They are also encouraged to develop their independence by learning to fasten

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

their shoes and coats in preparation for when it is time for them to go to school.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children learn about keeping themselves safe, for example they wear high visibility jackets and learn about road safety when walking to and from school. They also learn about staying safe when playing outside in the sun, as they wear hats and sun cream to protect their skin from burning. The childminder is a positive role model and helps children to learn about acceptable behaviour and good manners, such as saying 'please' and 'thank you'. These skills help children to interact positively with others and develop appropriate social skills. This prepares them for the next stage in their learning, such as preparing them to move on to nurseries or schools.

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. She carefully plans activities that provide opportunities for children to make good progress towards the early learning goals in all areas of learning. The assessment and monitoring process is fully established to ensure precise planning for children's next steps in their learning and development.

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provision

The childminder has a good knowledge of how to meet the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. She maintains up-to-date knowledge of the local safeguarding procedures by completing regular training courses. As a result, she is clear about how to keep children safe from harm and ensures that they are protected and supervised at all times. Comprehensive risk assessments and policies are regularly reviewed and shared with parents, helping to protect children's safety. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate, so that any accidents or injuries are dealt with appropriately.

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provision

Relationships with parents are very positive. Parents express their pleasure in how well children settle and in the significant progress they make. Parents' comments include 'the childminder provides excellent and exceptional care' and 'she provides a perfect balance between caring and teaching children'. The childminder works closely with other professionals, such as nursery and school staff, in order to fully and consistently support children's individual learning and developmental needs.

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provision

The childminder is fully committed to maintaining continuous improvements and to providing a high quality service for children and their families. She is well qualified and makes very good use of ongoing training opportunities in order to build on her already good childcare skills and knowledge. She works closely with the local authority advisor and welcomes suggestions and advice received. She regularly evaluates and reflects upon her practice, in order to identify her strengths and areas for development. She has a clear plan of action in order to further enhance the provision for children's learning and development. This takes into account the views of parents and children.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are Met The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are Met

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Satisfactory Satisfactory provision is performing less well than expectations in one or more of the key areas. It requires improvement in order to be good. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement action. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be inspected again within 12 months of the date of this inspection.

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Grade Judgement Description

Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

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Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 317214 Local authority Cumbria Inspection number 865115 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

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Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

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Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises, which are usually the childminder’s own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. 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,

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Type of provision

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, 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. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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