Childminder in Westmorland and Furness

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 17 August 2016 Not applicable

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 Children are welcomed into a family environment where they are truly valued and cared for by a childminder who is completely dedicated to her role. The childminder's calm and sensitive manner and effective positive praise contribute towards children developing high levels of self-esteem and self-confidence.  Children have access to very appealing and safe environments that inspire them to play, learn and develop. Individual planning takes account of children's next steps in learning and interests and builds on what they already know. This helps all children to make good progress in their learning and development.  The well-qualified childminder aspires to improve her knowledge and skills. Her strong links with other childminders to share good practice ideas and continued research are used to help improve her practice and provision.  The childminder is fully responsive to children's needs. She is on hand to offer her

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This provision is good

continued comfort and reassurance to children when required. This helps to foster children's emotional well-being so that they are happy, settled and assured at all times.  Partnerships with parents are good. The childminder keeps parents informed of their children's learning at every opportunity. She uses effective methods, such as home-link bags and regular newsletters, to help parents extend their children's learning at home.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder has not yet established highly effective links with other settings that children attend to promote greater continuity in their learning and development.  On occasions, the childminder does not make the best possible use of opportunities to help children to develop their early social skills by demonstrating these skills, such as sharing.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 strengthen partnerships with other settings that children attend and share information about their progress more rigorously to provide greater continuity in their learning and development  make better use of opportunities for children to develop skills, such as sharing, during their play and model these ideas more clearly so that younger children are able to enhance their social skills to optimum levels.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector had a tour of the areas used for childminding.  The inspector took account of the views from parents spoken to on the day of inspection and from comments noted on recent feedback forms.  The inspector observed children, both indoors and outside.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the childminder during a planned activity.  The inspector held discussions with the childminder and children throughout the inspection.  The inspector examined a range of documents. These included evidence of suitability, a record of the childminder's qualifications and training, health and safety documents, policies and procedures, self-evaluation documents and children's observation and assessment records.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The childminder has a very good understanding of the procedures to follow to protect a child's welfare. The childminder shows a high regard for children's safety. Her close supervision, effective safety measures and thorough daily checks help to ensure that children remain safe in her care. Any potential risks that arise are quickly minimised. For example, alternative security measures are swiftly put in place to secure the gate to the outdoor area following recent damage. The childminder values the feedback she receives from children, parents and others. She is keen to use the information she gains to raise outcomes for children. Effective tracking contributes towards ensuring that any gaps in children's learning are swiftly identified and closed.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Observations and assessments of children's learning are accurate. The childminder uses the information from these to plan challenging and fun activities that support children's continued progress. She quickly identifies children's new interests and enhances her areas of play in support of these. For example, the childminder has enhanced her reading area with a wider range of literature reflecting familiar characters to help children understand that print comes in many forms. The childminder uses all opportunities to promote children's communication and language skills. For example, she alerts children to spontaneous events that occur, such as a train going past, and asks a good range of questions to promote their thinking. The childminder encourages children to explore using their senses. For example, children are keen to smell natural materials, such as lavender. They use tools, such as a pestle and mortar and whisks, to combine materials together.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder forms secure relationships with children during settling-in sessions that are tailored to their needs. She values all children and shows a special interest in their family lives. The childminder talks to children about any upcoming changes, such as a new baby, and helps them to understand their different emotions through creative projects. The childminder provides a wide range of experiences to promote children's good health. She is fully responsive to the ideas that children initiate. For example, older children take an active role in planning a sports day for all children to exercise to coincide with recent sporting events, such as the Olympic Games. The childminder teaches children about the importance of wearing appropriate clothing to help keep themselves safe from the sun.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress in their learning and development. Young children enjoy their play. They show curiosity when exploring independently and are confident to try out new experiences. Children become good communicators. They listen carefully to questions and respond well. The youngest children are eager to repeat new words to increase their vocabulary. Children enjoy visits to local areas of interest, such as to the castle, helping them to feel part of their wider community. Their attendance at different social groups helps them to develop the ability to interact with others in larger groups. This prepares children well for their next stages in learning, including their move on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY481348 Local authority Cumbria Inspection number 996705 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 11 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 9

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2014 and lives in Grange-Over-Sands. She is also a registered home childcarer. The childminding provision is known as Rosebuds Childcare. The childminder operates all year round from 8am to 6pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Telephone number

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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Telephone number

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

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Telephone number

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 reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Telephone number

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Telephone number

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

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