Childminder in Westmorland and Furness

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 19 September 2016 11 April 2013

p.1

3

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

p.1

3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement Outcomes for children Good 2

p.1

This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 The childminder does not hold a paediatric first-aid qualification. A legal requirement to ensure that this is held and maintained at all times has not been met.  The childminder does not apply consistent methods to analyse more precisely the ongoing progress that children who attend less regularly make, in order to help them make rapid progress.  The childminder does not gather enough in-depth information from parents when children first start to gain a more precise picture of what children can already do.  The childminder has not explored ways to continue her professional development well enough to help extend her knowledge and skills to the highest levels.

p.1

It has the following strengths

 The quality of teaching is good. The childminder has a good understanding of how children learn and develop. She readily takes account of children's new interests from home and uses this information to plan challenging and meaningful activities that help to extend their learning. This contributes towards all children making good progress.  The childminder forms secure attachments with children to help foster their emotional well-being so that they are happy, settled and assured in her care. Her calm and encouraging nature helps children to develop the confidence to make their own independent choices during play.  The childminder promotes the expectations for behaviour well. Her continued positive praise and sensitive approach contribute towards children being respectful of others, well-mannered and patient from a very early age.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage and the Childcare Register the provider must:

p.2

Due Date

 ensure that a relevant paediatric first-aid qualification is held and maintained at all times 03/10/2016

p.2

Due Date

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

p.2

Due Date

 apply a sharper, more consistent approach to observation and assessment methods and analyse more precisely the ongoing progress that children who attend less regularly are making to support them in making more rapid progress  gather more in-depth information from parents when children first start to gain a more clear and precise picture of what children can already do  explore further ways to continue professional development to enhance knowledge and skills to the highest levels.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector had a tour of the areas used for childminding.  The inspector examined a range of documents. These included policies and procedures, health and safety documents, a record of the childminder's qualifications and training and children's learning files.  The inspector observed children during their freely chosen and routine activities throughout the inspection.  The inspector held discussions with the childminder and children during the inspection.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the childminder during a planned activity.  The inspector took account of the views of parents from comments noted on recent feedback forms.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

Safeguarding is effective. The childminder has a firm knowledge of the procedures to follow to protect a child's welfare. Robust systems, such as detailed risk assessments, secure areas and close supervision contribute towards children remaining safe. However, the childminder does not currently hold a paediatric first-aid qualification. That said, she has a secure understanding of first-aid procedures and has already booked onto relevant training to regain this. The childminder values the views of parents, children and others. She is proactive in using the information she receives to enhance her provision. Regular research and discussions with other practitioners generally help the childminder to improve her knowledge and skills. However, she has not yet explored professional development opportunities well enough to enhance these to the highest levels.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder seeks information from parents when children begin. However, this is not always specific enough to gain a more in-depth picture of what children can already do. The childminder uses her good knowledge of children and analyses her accurate observations and assessments to plan activities that support children's continued good progress. For example, she takes note that some children have recently taken their first steps and provides walking aids to help further strengthen their already good physical skills. However, these methods are not always consistently applied for children who only attend occasionally, in order to support them in making more rapid progress. Children sustain interest in the good range of activities that the childminder provides. For example, they are keen to use their senses to explore creative materials and develop good listening, speaking and counting skills during engaging story times.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

Children's safety is not wholly assured because the childminder does not hold a current paediatric first-aid qualification. However, children have access to clean and safe areas in which to play and learn. The childminder is responsive to children's needs. For example, she is on hand to offer comfort and support at times when children need this, such as when they are tired. The childminder encourages children to become active members of their local community. Children show interest in aspects of their natural world and enjoy walks to places such as the village shop to buy fresh local produce. The childminder readily teaches children to assess risks, such as to be wary of stroking dogs they are unfamiliar with, to help keep themselves safe. The childminder has formed good links with other settings that children attend to help promote continuity in their care and learning.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress in their learning and development. Children are confident to make their needs known. They demonstrate a desire to learn and sustain interest for lengthy periods of time during various activities. Children show good independence skills when completing tasks unaided. They seek out others to share experiences during play and eagerly attend different groups where they learn how to make new relationships. This prepares children well for what they need to learn next, including moving to school.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 317251 Local authority Cumbria Inspection number 1064063 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 10 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 10

p.4

Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 11 April 2013

p.4

Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2000 and lives in Greystoke. She operates all year round, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

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 .

p.5

Telephone number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

p.5

Telephone number

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

p.5