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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

The childminder and his wife, who is also a registered childminder, provide a home-from-home environment where children flourish. He works closely with his wife to ensure that children are kept safe and secure, in a relaxed and nurturing atmosphere. Children have built a close bond with the childminder, who has a kind and nurturing approach. They demonstrate that they feel safe and secure in the way they confidently approach him for a cuddle.

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The provision is good

Since the previous inspection, the childminder has completed some further training to support children in their learning and development. He now provides a curriculum that aims to prepare them well for their eventual move to school. Children experience a range of opportunities to help them reach the next stages of their development. For example, children strengthen their small muscles during threading activities and while manipulating magnetic bricks together to construct models. They enjoy mark-making and competently recognise colours, letters and shapes. Children play games and learn how to take turns and share. Their perseverance and concentration are positively rewarded, which boosts their self- esteem and confidence. The childminder helps to support the development of children's physical and emotional health. Children learn about and enjoy healthy habits around diet and outdoor activity.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has taken action to address the weaknesses identified at the previous inspection. He has worked closely with the local authority advisers, and with their support, he has strengthened his knowledge of the significant events he must notify Ofsted about. The childminder has also completed further training. These steps have helped him to ensure that requirements are met. n The childminder positively supports children's physical health and well-being. He provides opportunities for children to develop their large and small muscles. For example, children enjoy outings to the park and countryside walks. While indoors, they learn to pick up small objects using tweezers and they handle pencils competently while colouring in pictures. The childminder praises children's artwork and displays their pictures ready to take home. This helps children to feel proud of their achievements. n Children's learning is targeted through accurately identified next steps. This

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need to do better?

helps to ensure that they make good progress. The childminder reads stories with the children and they sing songs together. These activities support children's love of books and builds on their language acquisition. However, during back-and-forth conversations, the childminder does not help children to hear correctly formed words when they have misused or mispronounced them. In addition, the childminder tells children how to complete tasks. He does not

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need to do better?

21 August 2023 extend children's thinking skills or help them to express their own ideas. n The childminder acts as a good role model and gently reminds children about the rules of the setting. Children are polite and use good manners without prompting. The childminder praises children for their positive behaviour. This motivates children to behave well. n Partnership working with parents is helping to support children's good progress. Parents state that their children have come on in 'leaps and bounds'. The childminder uses a daily diary to share information with parents and the other settings children attend. This daily communication informs parents and other professionals about the activities and learning experiences that children have enjoyed. It is also used effectively to share ideas with parents and carers about how they can further extend their children's learning at home. n The childminder's curriculum supports children's personal development well.

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need to do better?

Children know and follow clearly defined routines that support their development and learning. They gain independence while dressing themselves and they manage their own hygiene from an early age. Children sit together to eat their meals and competently use cutlery to feed themselves. The childminder encourages healthy eating habits. He uses opportunities during children's play to talk with them about foods that are good for them.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder understands his responsibilities to keep children safe from harm. He keeps his core training, such as safeguarding and first aid, up to date. He knows whom to contact if he were to be concerned about any child in his care. The childminder carries out risk assessments and safety checks throughout the home and on outings. He quickly identifies potential hazards, such as removing toys from the floor to prevent trips and falls. The childminder instils a level of safety awareness in children. For example, on outings, they look out for cars approaching them and know to stand still until they have passed.

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should:

n enhance children's speaking skills by supporting them to use the correct pronunciation and grammar n strengthen the use of questions and ways to extend children's independent thinking and responses.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 404597 Local authority Cumberland Inspection number 10254465 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 14 Date of previous inspection 25 August 2022

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2001 and lives in Wigton, Cumbria. He works with his wife, who is also a registered childminder. They operate all year round, from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how he ensures that these are safe and suitable. n The inspector completed a learning walk with the childminder to understand how he organises his setting and his intentions for children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the childminder and observed the interactions between the childminder and the children, indoors and outdoors. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n Parents' written feedback was viewed by the inspector.

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Inspection activities

21 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

21 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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