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 thrive as a result of the exemplary care and learning the childminder and her assistants consistently deliver. Children and their families view the provision as an extension of their own home and family and feel safe. The childminder expects the highest standards of manners and behaviour. Children master these qualities with ease from a young age as they emulate the childminder and assistants, who are superb role models.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are consistently busy and productive. The childminder describes them as her 'little hive of bees'. They are eager to learn and show delight as they master new skills. For example, the childminder patiently nurtures children's interests and talents as she teaches them to crochet. They are proud to have started making a blanket. This also promotes children's fine-motor skills well and supports their early writing development.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder's commitment to building solid relationships with families means that she understands the needs of each child very well. This enables her to accurately plan for each child's holistic development and potential. She continually monitors children's progress and refers them back to their prior learning. This helps children to make links and build on what they already know and can do. All children are keen learners and make excellent progress in all areas of learning.

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need to do better?

n The childminder demonstrates unwavering dedication to providing the best service possible for families and the best possible outcomes for all children. She shares her excellent practice and offers support for less-experienced childminders in her local area, helping children to flourish beyond her own provision. The childminder and assistants source and share training to continually develop the high level and quality of their own knowledge and teaching skills. n The childminder and her assistants work together each day, providing seamless care and learning for children. The assistants are an integral part of the continual evolution of the provision. They contribute ideas for long-term plans, such as helping to redesign the outdoor learning area. They also make more immediate changes to enhance children's daily experience. For instance, children decide to have a disco, so assistants move furniture in the room to make space

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need to do better?

for a dance floor. Assistants feel valued and are enthusiastic in their roles. n The childminder supports children to develop self-care and other key life skills. Children are toilet trained at a young age and demonstrate mature attitudes and social skills as they enjoy healthy meals as a group. The childminder supports children to understand how their attitudes and behaviour affect others through

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need to do better?

4 July 2023 well-loved stories. Consequently, children show an awareness of their peers' feelings and are keen to see their friends' happy faces as they celebrate their birthdays. n The childminder understands that communication and language skills are the foundation for future learning. She shares her love of books with children as they listen, from the youngest age, with rapt attention to her mesmerizing storytelling. Children are keen to chat to visitors about their families, friends, and holidays. They are confident, articulate communicators, which helps them in readiness for their move on to school. n Children play and learn indoors and outside each day. They practise their physical skills as they climb on a wooden boat to 'sail' the ship and turn the ship's wheel. Young children climb and slide on soft-play equipment and older children extend their arms to carefully balance on narrow beams. Children's

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need to do better?

physical development and overall well-being are promoted very well. n The childminder uses outings to extend children's frame of reference. They visit charity shops to 'search for treasure'. This helps children learn about sustainability and socio-economic differences. Children learn about different types of families and the importance of celebrations in other cultures. For instance, they try foods from Africa, such as jollof rice. They also understand the significance of different animals in the Chinese lunar calendar. Children develop a very good understanding of our diverse world. n The childminder works hard to build and maintain partnerships with parents. The detailed information she obtains at the outset helps children get off to a rapid start in their learning. Parents comment on how well their children are listened to by the childminder. The childminder keeps parents updated about their children's learning and ensures that communication with parents is effective,

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need to do better?

despite language barriers. Parents are appreciative of her substantial efforts and of the consequential consistency of care and learning for all children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistants have a robust knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures. They understand how to identify when a child may be at risk of harm and know how to refer concerns on appropriately. The childminder works in liaison with Cumbria Safeguarding Children Partnership to offer additional support to families in crisis. She also attends regular training to keep her knowledge of local and prevalent safeguarding issues current. The childminder helps children learn to keep themselves safe. For example, she teaches children about their bodies and about respect for personal space. She introduces children to using technology safely in an age-appropriate way. Children's ongoing safety is promoted very well.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 317135 Local authority Cumberland Inspection number 10280720 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 18 Number of children on roll 22 Date of previous inspection 4 September 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2000 and lives in Workington, Cumbria. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with two assistants each day. The childminder and her assistants hold appropriate childcare qualifications at levels 3 and 5. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, 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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their early years foundation stage curriculum. n Children spoke to the inspector throughout the inspection. n The inspector talked to the childminder's assistants at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on

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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

4 July 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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