Childminder in Cumberland

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 06/05/2014 Not Applicable

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: Not Applicable 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

 The quality of teaching is good. The childminder has a good understanding of child development and how children learn best. As a result, she provides a range of appropriate activities and resources which meet their individual needs, interest, age and ability and continued good progress.  Children settle easily due to the close relationship established with this experienced childminder. They are supported well, therefore, children are happy and confident to explore in their safe and secure child-friendly environment.  Partnerships with parents are good because the childminder engages them in their child's learning right from the start of any arrangement. As a result, a consistent approach to children's learning is effectively made.  The childminder is clear about her role in safeguarding children and is aware of the action to take should she have any concerns regarding their welfare. Therefore, children are kept safe from any potential harm.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 There is scope to enhance children's awareness and understanding of the difference and diversity of the world around them.  Opportunities to enhance younger children's investigation, exploration and sensory development through the use of natural objects and materials are not fully encouraged.

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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 children playing in the childminder's home.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector held discussions with the childminder and the children throughout the inspection.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector and the childminder discussed the activities children completed during the inspection.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector discussed the childminder's observation, assessment and the tracking process to monitor children's progress.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of suitability, viewed the safeguarding, risk assessments and complaints policy, and discussed self-evaluation.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2013 and is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and three grandchildren aged 14 years, 18 months and seven months in a house in Broughton Moor, near Maryport, Cumbria. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home and the rear garden are used for childminding. The family has a hamster, two cats, three dogs, and six rabbits as pets. The childminder attends a toddler group and pre-schools in the local area. She visits the shops and park on a regular basis. She collects children from the local schools and pre-schools. There is currently one early years child on roll, who attends or a variety of sessions. She operates Monday to Friday, all year round, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an Nursery Nursing Examination Board qualification. She has over 20 years of experience working with children of all ages

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Information about the setting

as a higher level teaching assistant at local schools. She is a member of Dearham childminding group.

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

 enhance children's awareness and understanding of the world around them through the provision of additional resources that promote difference and diversity

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

 develop further the use of heuristic play materials for young children to investigate and explore.

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who attend

The quality of teaching demonstrated during the inspection is good. The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the learning and development requirements. As a result, she effectively supports children's learning from an early age. The childminder engages parents in their children's learning right from the start of any childminding arrangement. Children's starting points are identified through initial discussions with their parents and recorded in tracking documents. These cover all the areas of learning and identify the typical age ranges seen in the Early Years Outcomes document. The records form the basis for the future planning of activities and experiences to support children's next steps in their learning. The childminder completes simple but effective observations of the children in her care, right from the start of any arrangement. This allows her to provide associated resources and activities to enhance and promote

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who attend

children's learning and help to continue to support their good progress. The childminder shares her observations of the children with their parents and together they discuss ways of supporting and extending children's learning at home. Parents are happy talking to the childminder about any areas of concern they may have, so that every child is assisted, if required, to meet their full potential. As a result, the childminder is very aware of children's individual starting points and ongoing progress. Although the childminder has not yet needed to complete a progress check at age two, she has a good understanding of the requirement and the necessary knowledge to do so. The childminder and parents exchange information about what children do at home and when looked after by other family members, so a bigger picture of children's development, interests, events and the activities is maintained.

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who attend

The childminder plans age-appropriate play opportunities for the children in her care. She knows them very well, therefore, she uses their interest effectively to support their play. For example, from her initial discussions and observations she has identified that the children are interested in shape sorters, press button interactive toys and toy vehicles. She, therefore, makes sure that a wide range of these resources are available and accessible to them at all times. The childminder gives high priority to supporting children's communication and language development. For example, she constantly talks to the children as they play. She speaks to them about what they are doing and playing with, and extends their learning by asking them questions, repeating words and sounds. As a result, children listen to her, understand what she is saying, and are beginning to develop their vocabulary and speech. Children thrive on the individual attention they receive. They

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who attend

cuddle into the childminder as they look at books together. They enjoy pressing the buttons of different musical activity pop up toys and while doing so the childminder skilfully introduces numbers and colours into their play. The childminder provides children with a print rich environment. Books for all ages are freely available in containers and displayed on low-level shelving so that children can independently help themselves. The childminder provides suitable writing implements, such as, pencils, pens and chalks to enable children to develop their early writing skills. As a result of these opportunities children develop the necessary skills in readiness for their future move on to school.

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who attend

The childminder makes sure younger children are provided with lots of space to move about and to crawl around the floor in safety. She provides them with ample opportunities to pull themselves up to a standing position using the furniture and supervises them closely as they achieve this. As a result, children's physical skills are promoted. Children are curious and are eager to explore and investigate objects. For example, they enjoy investigating the natural wooden objects in the treasure basket made by the childminder. Children smile as they feel the softness of the wooden cosmetic brushes stroking their faces. There is scope to further develop the use of treasure baskets with young children to give them more opportunities to explore and investigate alternative sensory materials. The childminder has some reference books and some visual images seen in books which help children to understand the difference and diversity of the world. However, there is scope

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who attend

to further develop children's awareness of the difference and diversity of the world around them through the already good resources provided. Children begin to learn to share and take turns and extend their social interaction as they make new friends through visits to other pre-school groups in the community. As a result, children's personal, social and emotional development is fostered well.

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

Children are happy, contented and settle easily into this warm, welcoming, child-friendly environment. The childminder provides good strategies to help children settle into her home and to meet their parents' requirements. A close bond and secure attachment is demonstrated between the childminder and the children in her care. The childminder gathers vital information about each child prior to them starting with her. This includes, the personal information about the child and their family, the business arrangements and parental consents, the particular care needs of the child, their interests and the development they have already achieved. This means that the childminder can provide for the child's routine needs and interests right from the start and as a result, children's physical and emotional well-being is well met. Children display confidence in their surroundings and are eager to explore and investigate their environment. The childminder

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

sits with them as they play. She shows a genuine interest in what they are doing and is very attentive towards their needs. For example, she recognises when children are tired and in need of a rest and provides a secure, soothing routine to help them to settle. She cuddles them into her and finds their comforters before settling them to sleep on the settee beside her.

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

Children enjoy easy access to a wide range of age-appropriate resources which are rotated in response to children's interest, age and ability. The childminder has started a book which shows children examples of the resources available to them that are stored throughout the family home. Young children are cuddled while drinking their milk and supported in eating their snacks and lunchtime meals. The childminder explains how she encourages children's self-help skills and how they are actively encouraged to have a go at feeding themselves. She encourages them to wipe their own face and hands, and as they get older to take off and put on their own shoes and coats. The childminder is a positive role model for children and models good behaviour. She gently speaks with children in a respectful, kind and caring manner. The childminder uses positive methods to promote good behaviour. For example, she praises children for being good, completing a task and

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

for being kind to one another. Children are taken to group activities and events. Here they have the opportunity to mix and play in larger groups of children. As a result, children develop sound relationships and also develop their social skills in preparation for their later move onto pre-school nursery and school.

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

The childminder helps children from a young age to think about how to keep themselves safe from harm. She explains to children how to be careful not to catch their fingers when playing with the press button pop up toys, and to be mindful of others when they play with the drum sticks, so that they do not hit each other. Other safety procedures are also implemented to ensure that children, as they get older, develop their understanding of how to look after themselves. For example, the childminder practises the emergency evacuation procedures so that the children can observe her actions and follow her lead. The childminder supports children in taking risks and encourages them to try new things. For example, resources, such as slides and wheeled toys are available for outdoor activities as they get older and further to develop their walking skills. Children are provided with opportunities to access plenty of fresh air and exercise and this contributes

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

greatly to their physical health and well-being. For example, they go for walks in the village to feed the swans, and go on outings further afield. As a result, children explore their local community and learn about the world around them. Children's health and well- being is further promoted through the provision of nutritious meals and healthy snacks which are provided by the childminder daily.

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities in meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. She holds an early years qualification and has worked as a practitioner for a number of years. The childminder has completed safeguarding training and is aware of the signs and symptoms which would alert her to any child protection issues. She is very clear and confident in her approach about the action she would take if she had any concerns about a child in her care. The childminder keeps children safe and secure in her home. She checks the identity and keeps a written record of all visitors who enter her home when she is minding. Children's safety is further assured through the use of detailed risk assessments and daily safety checks completed for all areas used by the children. The childminder supervises children effectively as they play and makes sure that they are kept

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provision

safe on outings. The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibility in meeting the learning and development requirements. Children are offered a range of age appropriate and challenging experiences to encourage and enable them to continue to make good progress. The childminder ensures that all areas of learning are covered in their play and the next steps in children's learning are highlighted and shared with parents. As a result, the childminder effectively monitors and tracks children's progress.

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provision

The childminder understands the importance of partnership working. She provides a warm and welcoming environment for parents and provides them with ample opportunities to share and exchange information, both verbally and in written form. The childminder shares a detailed set of policies and procedures with parents, including, a clear safeguarding policy, which also provides guidance about the use of mobile phones and cameras. This helps them to be more aware of her practice. Regular two-way communication systems are implemented between parents and the childminder and all the required information is gathered from parents to ensure children's individual needs are fully met. The childminder recognises the importance of working in partnership with other early years providers. She has established good links with other childminders in her childminding group and attends regular meetings. Although no children attend other early

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provision

years settings, the childminder is fully aware of the importance of keeping good communication and relationships with other professionals in order to maintain continuity of care and learning.

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provision

Although, this is the childminder's first inspection since registration, she is an experienced and qualified childcare practitioner, who has a very good understanding of how children learn and develop. The childminder fully understands the impact her own childcare knowledge has on the quality of her provision and outcomes for children. She is clear on the importance of monitoring processes, including the educational programmes to support children's learning. The childminder reflects on her practice. She is fully aware of her strengths and areas she wishes to develop. The childminder proactively seeks ongoing support from other experienced childminder's at her local drop in meetings and knows that the local development worker is available should she require any additional help and support.

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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 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected within twelve months of the date of this inspection. 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

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Grade Judgement Description

the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. 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 EY469101 Local authority Cumbria Inspection number 943494 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 4 Number of children on roll 1

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection not applicable

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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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