Childminder in Westmorland and Furness

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 31 March 2017 18 March 2014

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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

 The childminder works closely with her assistant to meet the needs of the children. She provides very good support and mentoring through regular feedback and close monitoring of practice. They work well together and use their individual strengths effectively to provide high-quality experiences for the children.  Children settle quickly owing to the good settling-in procedures in place and the warm and nurturing approach from the childminder and her assistant. Children relish the opportunity to play with new visitors and quickly invite them to play. Children show they are confident and feel safe in the care of the childminder.  Partnerships with parents are well established and highly valued. The childminder provides many opportunities for parents to be involved in their children's learning. She promotes good information sharing and supports parents to continue learning at home.  Children behave exceptionally well. They show high levels of self-control and

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This provision is good

cooperation, managing their infrequent disagreements independently.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 On occasion, the childminder does not provide sufficient challenge for the oldest and most capable children in order to support their learning to the highest level.  Although the childminder monitors and evaluates her practice, she has not yet established a highly focused programme of professional development to drive forward the quality of teaching to an even higher level.

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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 good teaching further by responding more swiftly to children's learning and providing a greater level of challenge for the most capable children  focus more precisely on developing a targeted programme of professional development and drive the quality of teaching to the highest level.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching and the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector spoke to the childminder, assistant and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the childminder and assessed the accuracy of her evaluation.  The inspector viewed children's records, planning documentation and a range of other documentation, including policies and procedures.  The inspector took account of the views of parents and carers spoken to during the inspection and from questionnaires made available.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder and her assistant demonstrate a firm understanding of their role in safeguarding children. Clear procedures are in place for dealing with concerns and the detailed safeguarding policy further underpins good practice. The childminder monitors children's development regularly to ensure that they are making good progress in all areas of learning. This close monitoring helps her to identify what children need to learn next across all areas of learning. The childminder provides additional support for children where necessary.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder makes accurate assessments of children's learning based on regular and high-quality observations. She uses this information, as well as information from parents and other early years settings, to help inform next steps for each child. The childminder has a wealth of experience and, overall, uses her skills very well to support children's learning. She uses a wide range of questions to engage children's thinking and communication skills and encourages children to solve problems. For example, during a mathematical activity, the childminder encourages children to compare and do simple addition and subtraction. The learning environment is set up well to encourage children to lead their own play ideas. They get into character as shop keepers in the well-resourced and presented role-play area.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children benefit from warm and secure relationships with the childminder and assistant. They enjoy cuddles at story time and demonstrate strong emotional well-being. Children are widely independent and relish the opportunity to help with tasks. They ably help to prepare snacks and set the table, supporting good self-help skills from a young age. Children practise healthy lifestyles throughout the daily routine. They follow good hygiene routines and enjoy healthy options such as fruit and water to drink. Children develop excellent safety awareness as they conduct their own risk assessments. For example, when planning a trip to the train station, children helped to identify any dangers they must be careful of and how best to stay safe.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children are working comfortably within the range of development typical for their age. Children are motivated learners who show a good attitude towards their learning. They confidently explore the environment, following their ideas and leading their own play. Younger children show good levels of concentration and older children pay good attention to detail. All children enjoy a wide variety of activities that supports them in developing skills for future learning and in readiness for the move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 316926 Local authority Cumbria Inspection number 1087095 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 12 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 8

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 18 March 2014

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1993 and lives in Penrith, Cumbria. She operates her service all year round from 8am to 6pm on Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with an assistant.

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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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