Childminder in Westmorland and Furness

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

The childminder is attentive and kind and prioritises children's emotional development. The childminder finds out from parents about their children's routines, interests and abilities before they start at the setting. Children form strong attachments to the childminder and demonstrate they feel safe and secure. She has high expectations for all children's behaviour and promotes good manners through clear, consistent boundaries. She encourages children to manage their emotions effectively and talk about their feelings. Children are offered gentle reminders, praise and encouragement as they learn to share and take turns. Children behave very well, and they are kind, caring and ready to learn.

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The provision is good

The childminder is committed to giving every child the best possible start. She plans and delivers an ambitious and carefully sequenced curriculum which is built on children's curiosity and interests. For example, children enjoy trips in their local community and benefit from opportunities to develop social skills, learn about others and develop an understanding of the world around them. Children excitedly talk about how they shop for older residents in the community as they learn how they can help and support others. They have enjoyed learning about how the postal system works, receiving letters and posting parcels at the local post office. Children make very good progress across all areas of learning.

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need to do better?

n The childminder develops children's communication and language skills well. They recall familiar stories and fill in missing words as they read along with the childminder. Younger children confidently talk about the illustrations, and all children answer carefully targeted questions that strengthen children's developing vocabulary and their love of reading. The childminder pronounces words correctly for children to hear and learn as they play. For instance, as the children and childminder play together, older children practise using the word 'stabiliser' as they build a train bridge, and younger children practise using positional language as they play with trains. Children make very good progress. n Children learn about healthy lifestyles. They talk about 'treats' and proudly recall past events, such as making a 'tricky' choice about when to have one ice cream instead of two. Children help to tidy up and put on their own boots and coats.

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need to do better?

They are learning to wipe their own noses, wash their hands and manage their own toileting routines. This helps them develop their independence and prepare for their next stage in learning. n Learning opportunities provided are purposeful and developmentally appropriate. However, occasionally, during group activities, younger children receive less support than their older friends when trying to master new skills. This does not consistently support younger children to develop their concentration and

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need to do better?

14 November 2022 resilience to persevere and master new skills as well as they could. n Children learn about safety, for example, they hold hands and listen carefully to instructions from the childminder when out walking. They receive praise so they know clearly what they have achieved so they can build on this in the future. n The childminder accesses a range of training opportunities and has received support from the local authority. She is proactive in her endeavour to meet the needs of individual children through continual professional development. She reflects on her practice well. However, she does not have a well-established system in place for consistent collaborative communication with children's other settings. As a result, information about children's care needs or learning and development is not shared as effectively as it could be in order to help children make the best progress possible.

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need to do better?

n The childminder promotes children's mathematical development well. For example, younger children explore counting to three as they count their blueberries at snack. Older children are encouraged to explore simple addition as they count and compare how many trains they have of each colour. Children explore a range of mathematical concepts. n Parents wholeheartedly appreciate and value the childminder. Regular communication with parents ensures they are kept well informed of the activities their children enjoy and their next steps in learning. As a result, parents keenly support their children's learning and development at home. There is a sense of a real home-from-home atmosphere.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a clear understanding of her role in protecting children. She knows the signs to look for if a child is at risk of harm or neglect. In addition, she knows the relevant agencies to contact for guidance. She has been proactive during the COVID-19 pandemic in keeping up to date with the latest information, including the 'Prevent' duty, by completing mandatory training and working with wider professionals to review and update her policies and procedures. The childminder carries out daily checks of the environment and the parks they attend. This helps to keep children safe.

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should:

n refine the organisation of group activities so that all children are supported and effectively engaged to help them extend their learning and master new skills n strengthen the continuity of education by establishing secure partnerships with other settings.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 317205 Local authority Cumbria Inspection number 10234522 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 20 January 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2000 and lives in Kirkby Thore. She operates all year round, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for three- and four-year- old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection 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 childminder. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact that this had on children's learning. n The inspector took account of the views of children and parents. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documents.

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Inspection activities

14 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

14 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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