Childminder in Cumberland

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children flourish in the care of this exceptionally attentive and nurturing childminder. She shows extraordinary levels of passion and dedication to her role. The childminder's assistant, present on the day of inspection, shows equal amounts of aspiration for children. Together, they provide a wonderfully warm and homely environment and give exceptional value to children's needs and contributions. This provides extremely firm foundations for children's confidence, self-esteem and physical and emotional well-being.

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The provision is outstanding

Children increasingly show high levels of respect for each other, from a very early age. They are extremely thoughtful and considerate of one another as they share out resources before taking for themselves and kindly offer to help their peers with activities. As younger, newer children become tired or upset, the childminder offers an abundance of love and affection. She showers children with reassurance, showing her commitment to supporting children as they learn to manage their feelings.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder shows high expectations of children, and she devises a rich and well-thought-out curriculum. She expertly observes play and accurately identifies the skills children need to learn next. Children approach their play with excitement and motivation. They listen to instructions from the childminder and assistant and eagerly join in with activities

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need to do better?

n The childminder and assistant provide superb opportunities to develop children's learning across many areas during each activity they plan. For example, children excitedly join in with a car wash activity. The assistant challenges children to reach the roof of the car, greatly promoting their large-muscle skills as they stretch up and sweep their arms back and forth. Extremely well-thought-out resources such as spray bottles provide excellent support for the children's small-muscle skills. The assistant skilfully promotes children's language skills as she introduces new vocabulary and describes children's actions. n The childminder and assistant expertly link activities to nursery rhymes and known songs and sing these as they play. Children gleefully join in and finish each line of the song with their own suggestions. This helps to promote the rapid development of children's impressive communication and language skills.

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need to do better?

n Parents are extremely well informed about their children's progress, both verbally and electronically. The childminder shares valuable information with parents, including support for learning at home, linked to children's individual needs. Parents are highly complimentary of the childminder and the service she provides. They comment on the excellent communication in place, how involved

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need to do better?

11 December 2019 they feel and the excellent learning opportunities for their children. n The childminder works equally closely with other early years providers the children attend. For example, feedback from the local school headteacher praises the childminder on the high levels of speech and language the children arrive with when they start at the school nursery. n The childminder provides children with an abundance of opportunities to socialise and explore their community. For example, they attend an array of groups, including toddler sessions, weekly visits to hear the ukulele club play and visits to the elderly. The children bring books with them to share with the elderly members, greatly encouraging intergenerational learning. The children particularly enjoy visiting the childminder's allotment each week. They have superb opportunities to learn about healthy eating and where food comes from as they tend to the vegetables and learn what they need to grow.

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need to do better?

n The childminder demonstrates an immense desire to continue to learn and continually move her practice forward. She engages in ongoing self-evaluation with her assistants, reflecting on ways they can improve. The childminder recently made changes to her playroom following reflecting on how children were accessing the resources and identifying how she could encourage even more purposeful play. She has found significant improvements in children's learning and engagement in play. n The childminder is keen to continually build on her knowledge and skills through regular and targeted training and professional development opportunities. This includes formal training as well as a wealth of early years research. The childminder chooses courses that are meaningful and related to the children she is caring for at the time. For example, the childminder has recently attended a course on toilet training. This has provided the childminder with a better

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need to do better?

understanding of what can both promote and hinder a child's development in this area.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant have a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of safeguarding. They are both extremely well qualified and undergo a wealth of training to further support them in their roles of keeping children safe. For example, training on recording concerns helps to ensure information about children's welfare is recorded accurately and robustly. There are clear procedures in place for reporting concerns, including whistle-blowing. These are entirely understood by the childminder and assistant. The childminder ensures all those living or working on the premises are suitable. For example, suitability checks are carried out on all assistants, such as criminal records checks and references. Furthermore, assistants must reconfirm their suitability at each supervision.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY443904 Local authority Cumbria Inspection number 10129120 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder Age range of children 2 to 5 Total number of places 18 Number of children on roll 12 Date of previous inspection 10 March 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2012 and lives in Dearham, Cumbria. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She has a total of three assistants who work with her on various days.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector completed a tour of the childminder's home and held discussions about the early years provision and meeting children's needs. n The inspector spoke with the children at appropriate times during the inspection. n Parents' views were taken into consideration through written feedback provided and discussions held. n Discussions following a joint observation were held and the inspector took account of the childminder's evaluations. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of persons living and working in the household.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

11 December 2019 11 December 2019 regulates and inspects to 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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