Childminder in Cumbria

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

The childminder offers children a very nurturing and homely environment. Children thoroughly enjoy the childminder's warm and positive interactions and show that they are extremely happy in her care. Children develop a strong bond and attachment with the childminder. They frequently go to her for cuddles or to invite her to join in with their play. For example, younger children offer the childminder resources and use gestures to suggest she takes part in their play. The childminder responds with enthusiasm.

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The provision is good

Children show extremely positive attitudes towards their play and learning. They are highly inquisitive and remain engaged for considerable lengths of time given their developmental stages. The childminder uses children's interests and recognises their learning styles to further extend their superb motivation to learn. For example, the childminder provides a wide range of interesting items for children to rummage through, collect and move around. This allows children to be independent, active learners and test their ideas as they explore the world.

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The provision is good

The childminder supports children's learning well in order to build on what they can already do individually and to promote new skills. Through self-evaluation, the childminder has identified the need to attend further training to extend her knowledge of how to support children's development even further.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is particularly skilled at supporting children's communication skills. She offers an excellent narrative as she plays with the children and introduces new vocabulary. Younger children babble in response to the childminder's excellent conversation skills, showing their attempts to communicate and join in. n The childminder skilfully steers children's play towards purposeful learning, in keeping with their own ideas. For example, younger children begin to tap on the window with a spoon. The childminder enthusiastically acknowledges the sound they have created and swiftly introduces some musical instruments. This successfully engages children into explorations of the different sounds and in a safe manner. The childminder maintains children's interests as she begins to sing familiar nursery rhymes. This provides excellent support for children's mathematical and expressive arts and design skills.

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need to do better?

n The childminder places high priority on providing stimulating learning experiences, particularly outdoors. Children frequently go for walks where they explore the different sounds they can hear. Children enjoy regular trips to the local library and parks. They learn important safe behaviours and practise their own risk assessment skills on the equipment. Trips to the local library, park and

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need to do better?

14 January 2020 children's centre give children good opportunities to mix with their peers, develop social skills and learn to understand and appreciate different people. n The childminder uses information from local authority meetings and networking with other childminders to reflect on where she can make improvements. She seeks information from various sources to keep herself up to date on early years topics. However, she does not currently engage in a wide range of targeted and focused training to raise the quality of education to the very highest levels. The childminder recognises that this is an area she can strengthen. n The childminder understands the importance of parent involvement. She is creative in providing ways to involve parents in their children's learning. For example, the childminder shares information relating to progress checks and next steps she is currently planning. She has also introduced activities for

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need to do better?

parents to do at home, such as singing nursery rhymes. However, the childminder has been less successful in creating clear opportunities for parents to share their own observations of learning at home, to better inform the childminder's own assessments and planning. n The childminder places high priority on children's physical and emotional well- being. She closely follows routines from home and checks for any changes, such as after a period of absence. The childminder promotes children's dignity as she affords them appropriate privacy during nappy changes, which further promotes their well-being and feelings of security.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder is well aware of her responsibility in safeguarding children. She has a firm understanding of potential signs of abuse and the correct procedures to follow in reporting any concerns. The childminder keeps herself up to date with training relating to child protection and wider safeguarding issues. She also attends all local authority meetings, where she receives further information and guidance. The childminder ensures children are safe in her care. For example, following risk assessment of her home, the childminder has implemented necessary safety precautions such as stairgates and keeping her front door locked. This helps to ensure children cannot access unsafe areas.

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should:

n strengthen professional development to focus more precisely on building knowledge and skills even further to continuously raise the quality of education n enhance the existing good partnership with parents to provide further opportunities for parents to share what they know about their children's learning at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 317207 Local authority Cumbria Inspection number 10128991 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 0 to 2 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4 Date of previous inspection 3 November 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder has been operating since 1988 and lives in Ulverston, Cumbria. She provides care all year round from 7.30am to 5pm, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector held discussions with the childminder about the early years provision and meeting children's needs. n Discussions following a joint observation were held and the inspector took account of the childminder's evaluations. n The inspector looked at a selection of documents, including evidence of required training, policies and records. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and evaluated the impact this has on children's learning.

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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

14 January 2020 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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