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 are safe and secure at all times. They are cared for tremendously well in this welcoming, home-from-home setting. Children's emotional well-being is of paramount importance and prioritised from the moment they arrive. Children develop close friendships with peers and are emotionally nurtured through the strong attachments they share with the childminder. For example, the childminder has created wonderful 'family books' with the children and uses these highly effectively in engaging children when they arrive. Children talk about past activities and plan what they will do today. They are ready to learn because they feel safe, valued and emotionally secure. The childminder has a meticulously designed and extremely ambitious curriculum. Children are confident and highly competent learners. They make excellent progress.

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The provision is outstanding

The strong partnerships developed with parents, wider professionals and other settings children attend, contribute significantly to the progress children make across all areas of learning. The childminder finds out exactly what children already know and can do prior to starting and builds on this exceptionally well. Every aspect of children's development is very successfully promoted through the playful learning partnerships that children share with the childminder. The childminder is fully aware of the impact that COVID-19 has had on children's development and learning. She is highly knowledgeable about the experiences that children have not had and the impact that this has on their learning. The childminder expertly weaves children's next learning steps into activities that enhance their progression. For example, children go for walks around their community and visit the 'language café' at the local library. They meet new people and learn about different cultures

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need to do better?

n The childminder supports children to develop excellent attitudes to learning. This prepares them well for school. Children are motivated as they attempt to do things for themselves, using skilful prompts from the childminder. For example, children show resilience and determination as they enthusiastically practise their dressing skills to go outside. They learn how to independently master the soap dispenser and wash their hands with expert precision. Children are delighted with their achievements and call out proudly, 'I did it'. The childminder acknowledges this with praise. n The childminder is an exceptional role model for children. She uses consistent calming language and distraction techniques to help young children regulate their emotions. For example, when children are unsure, they support each other by saying, 'don't worry, you have friends to help you'. Children are kind, extremely polite, learn social rules, take turns and display exemplary behaviour.

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need to do better?

4 August 2023 n Children make rapid progress over a short period. This is because the childminder precisely assesses children's progress and plans learning opportunities that excite and motivate children to learn more. For example, children test out their ideas and make sense of their learning as they investigate colour change by looking through transparent shapes. n The childminder provides an extensive range of challenging and exciting activities, stories and songs which supports children's excellent understanding of language. Children develop superb communication and language skills. n Children play in an extremely well-equipped garden with a fabulous range of creative and physical play resources. They enjoy learning about nature. For example, children grow vegetables and herbs and enjoy harvesting them. They observe insects and show great pride as they talk about the bees on the flowers and how they make honey.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is extremely effective with her own professional development. She continually reflects on the impact her teaching has had on children's learning. The childminder's uncompromising pursuit in raising her teaching to the highest level contributes to the skills and knowledge children gain and the wonderful success they make in their learning. n Parents appreciate how they are guided to support learning at home by being kept fully informed of their children's progress and developmental next steps. Parents highly value the bespoke support they receive. For example, families are given exceptional support to prepare and develop the knowledge and skills required for toilet training. Parents comment how the childminder shares ideas to support healthy eating and they are encouraged to take home books to develop children's love of reading. n Partnership working is highly effective and ensures that children have the

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need to do better?

knowledge and skills they require before moving them on to more complex tasks. All children make substantial progress over a short period and build cumulatively sufficient knowledge and skills in readiness for school.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder places the highest priority on keeping children safe and ensuring their well-being. She has an excellent understanding of her role and responsibilities and attends a wide array of relevant training and updates her knowledge of safeguarding regularly. The childminder can competently and confidently identify the potential signs and symptoms which may indicate that a child is at risk of harm, including specific safeguarding concerns. She is highly effective in identifying and reducing hazards in the setting and on outings. Children are extremely well supervised at all times and encouraged to learn the knowledge and skills they require to keep themselves safe, such as picking up toys so they do not slip and holding onto rails as they learn to climb and descend steps.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY465383 Local authority (select) Inspection number 10280746 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 2 Date of previous inspection 9 August 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2013 and lives in Whitehaven, Cumbria. The childminder operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, Tuesday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder is a qualified primary school teacher and holds a graduate certificate in education. 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 setting 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 setting. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children. n The inspector observed the quality of education provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to children and parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intentions for children's learning.

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Inspection activities

4 August 2023 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 August 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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