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

Children develop a strong sense of belonging because of the childminder's thoughtful support. They build their confidence to leave the childminder's side to play and learn from the first-hand experiences that she provides. Children are happy, safe and well cared for in this childminder's welcoming home. Children, including those who are shy and reluctant to communicate, learn that their uniqueness is valued by the childminder. For instance, the childminder does not put pressure on children to talk if they are not ready. She makes sure that all children often hear and see her using important words. This enhances children's understanding of language.

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The provision is good

Children benefit from the well-considered learning activities that the childminder arranges. For example, when children want to find out where Paddington Bear keeps his marmalade sandwiches, the childminder thoughtfully extends their interests through stories and conversation. Children develop valuable social skills and learn how to make even more friends. They behave well. This is because of the childminder's patient support. She has high expectations of how children should behave. Children respond positively to the childminder's clear instructions, such as when it is time to stop playing and tidy up. They know how to care for resources and treat books with care.

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need to do better?

n In the main, the childminder gives careful thought to what she wants children to learn when they spend time with her. For example, she teaches children to be physically active, relate well to others and start to become independent. However, the childminder has not considered the order in which children will gain some of the essential information that they need to learn. This means that some of the children's learning does not build enough on what they already know. n The childminder reads with children often. She reads aloud and pauses at parts of a book to discuss with children what is happening. For example, as she reads 'Maisy's Bathtime', the childminder expertly expands on what she has just read by repeating book phrases. The childminder then helps children to act out scenarios from the book, including using key words and phrases again. Children find the books irresistible and remember important book knowledge because of

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need to do better?

the childminder's help. n The childminder speaks gently and often with children. She helps them to learn new words, such as 'gloomy' when talking about the dark winter skies. However, sometimes, the childminder uses closed questions that children can only make single-word responses to. This does not fully support the development of children's language.

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need to do better?

25 January 2023 n The childminder pays as much attention to children's health, self-care and independence as she does to their learning. She thoughtfully provides healthy snacks for children, such as a variety of fruit. Children learn how to cut up fruit by themselves when using child-safe knives that the childminder provides. The childminder then skilfully turns this into a counting activity as she playfully counts out how many pieces of fruit that children now have. Children are motivated to be responsible for themselves. n The childminder works in close, supportive partnership with parents. One typical parental comment is, 'The childminder's home is the perfect environment for children to flourish.' Parents value how the childminder involves them in their child's development and learning. This helps parents to extend their children's learning further at home. n The childminder looks beyond her own provision for advice and support. For

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need to do better?

example, she gains valuable advice from staff at a local primary school. She attends useful training, for instance about how to support children's mathematics and early literacy skills. This helps children to be ready for their move to school. n The childminder has reduced her own workload effectively by not recording too much in writing about children's progress. Instead, she draws on her first-hand knowledge of each child and her understanding of how children learn. The childminder spots when children need extra help with their development and learning. She provides them with the gentle support that they need. Children progress well while in the childminder's care.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder ensures that she knows exactly what to do to protect children from harm. She keeps her knowledge up to date, for example through checking the regular safeguarding briefings made available by the local authority. The childminder attends regular safeguarding and child protection training. She links with other safeguarding professionals where needed. Children learn to act safely through the childminder's help, for instance when she guides them to use child- safe knives to cut up their own food. They know to hold the childminder's hand when they are close to the road.

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should:

n improve knowledge of the order in which to teach children essential information n strengthen understanding of the use of questioning to better support children's language and thinking.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY470452 Local authority Cumbria Inspection number 10264371 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 3 Number of children on roll 3 Date of previous inspection 13 June 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2013 and lives in Burton, Cumbria. She operates from 9am to 6pm, Tuesday and Wednesday, term time only. The childminder holds a childcare qualification at level 3. She receives funding to provide free early education for children aged three years.

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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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed how the childminder organises her provision. n A range of relevant documentation was reviewed by the inspector, including examples of the childminder's training certificates. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder about her curriculum for children and her arrangements for their care and safeguarding. n The inspector observed the quality of education and the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector evaluated with the childminder a learning activity provided by the childminder. n The inspector considered written testimonials provided by parents and took account of their views.

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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

25 January 2023 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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