Childminder in Cumberland

Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children are happy, settled and safe in the childminder's care. The supportive settling-in sessions are carefully tailored to children's needs. Children continue to separate easily from parents at the entrance door. They demonstrate increasing independence when hanging up their own coats on arrival. The caring childminder provides an abundance of reassurance to children during any changes to their normal routine. She makes time to introduce each child to any new visitors to help them to feel valued. Children's good behaviour is displayed through their positive actions. For example, older children happily pass the childminder a banana from the fruit bowl at snacktime. Younger children demonstrate their friendly attitudes through gestures, such as smiling. Babies benefit from personalised routines. They happily soothe themselves off to sleep when they are ready.

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The provision is good

The childminder implements a broad curriculum that largely supports children 'to gain the skills they need for life'. Babies are confident to explore freely. They use good physical skills to wheel a toy truck back and forth along the floor. Younger children quickly develop the ability to pull a zip up and down on clothing during role play. When constructing, they show advancing physical skills when connecting a nut and bolt together. Older children openly share information about any pets they have at home, when playing with animal figures. They design and build their own desired train track and are beginning to develop the ability to overcome any problems that they encounter during play.

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need to do better?

n The childminder places a sharp emphasis on supporting children's early language skills. At snacktime, she models new phrases, such as 'all gone', for babies to hear and repeat. Younger children respond well to any requests from the childminder and follow her instructions precisely. Older children answer any questions that the childminder asks during play. They think for themselves and talk through what they need to do next when building a model car. n Children are eager to engage in the meaningful learning experiences that the childminder provides. During a fishing game, children display good physical skills when lowering a rod to catch a fish. Older children listen to linked stories with increasing attention. They engage in conversations with the childminder when discussing the illustrations. Younger children take a particular interest in objects, such as sea creatures and shells. However, at times, younger children are not

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need to do better?

consistently challenged, to help them to make the highest rates of progress. n The childminder has high expectations for children's behaviour. She gently steps in to resolve the few conflicts that arise during play. Children respond positively to the childminder. They happily take it in turns with others to turn the pages of a book during stories. Children demonstrate helpful and considerate attitudes.

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need to do better?

2 November 2022 For example, when moving between rooms, they kindly hold the gate open for the childminder to walk through without having to be asked. n Partnerships with parents are very good. The childminder works together with parents to assess children's skills and capabilities on entry. She keeps parents informed about their children's learning and progress. Home learning ideas are tailored to children's needs. For example, bedtime reading is positively encouraged to build on children's developing vocabulary and early reading skills. n The childminder supports children to learn about the community in which they live. Children enjoy trips to the local parks, shops and library. They observe the work of those in the community that help them. For example, children learn about the role of a refuse collector when watching them out of the window. They show appreciation for the work that they do when offering a friendly wave.

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need to do better?

The childminder takes children to annual events, such as the Continental Markets, to help to build on their growing awareness of the wider world. n Children's good health is promoted well. Children take part in regular exercise, such as when walking along the nearby riverbank in the fresh air. They quickly learn where some of their healthy food comes from when planting and growing various fruits and vegetables in the garden. n The childminder completes a broad range of training to promote children's health, safety and welfare. She identifies some areas for further development and is quick to source appropriately linked professional development. However, at times, these plans are not strongly linked to the needs of the children attending and there is less focus on raising the quality of teaching further.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder is alert to the indicators of abuse. She has a good understanding of the procedures to follow in the event of a child protection concern. The childminder is aware that children use an increasing range of technology at home. She speaks to parents about the dangers associated with online games and provides them with informative advice and guidance to help to keep children safe at home. Since the pandemic, the childminder has introduced more rigorous hand washing routines. Children know to choose their own, coloured towel when drying their hands. This successfully helps to prevent the spread of any infection.

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should:

n strengthen interventions and challenge younger children more consistently during planned activities, to enable all children to make the very best rates of progress n make more informed decisions about the intended areas for improvement and

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should:

2 November 2022 any linked professional development, and tailor these plans most precisely to the needs of the children attending, to help to raise the quality of teaching to an outstanding level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY318448 Local authority Cumbria Inspection number 10234982 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 3 Date of previous inspection 8 December 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder was registered in 2006 and lives in the Stanwix area of Carlisle. She operates on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 8am to 6pm, all year round, with the exception of bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection that the childminder received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the setting. n The childminder led the inspector on a learning walk to show how her home is organised and to share information about her intent for the early years curriculum. n A planned activity was jointly evaluated by the inspector and the childminder. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n A sample of documents were viewed by the inspector. These included evidence of the childminder's qualifications and training and some of the policies and procedures. n The inspector took account of the written reviews from parents.

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Inspection activities

2 November 2022 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

2 November 2022 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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