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 works closely with her husband, who is also a registered childminder. Together they provide a very warm, relaxed and nurturing environment, where children thrive in their care. The childminder's supportive approach enables children to feel safe and secure. Children are enthusiastic and demonstrate confidence in everything they do. The childminder gives them assistance when needed, but also allows them to gain independence in preparation for school. Children have formed loving bonds with the kind and caring childminder. They confidently leave their parents and carers on arrival and immediately engage in lively conversations as they play with their friends.

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The provision is good

Children are well behaved, happy and self-assured. The childminder's relaxed approach, constant reassurance and praise instil resilience in the children. She has clear intentions for the curriculum and implements these well in practice. She has a secure knowledge of how children learn and what she wants them to achieve. For example, the childminder helps babies to competently manipulate shapes into shape sorters and young children to grip tweezers. This helps them to strengthen their hand muscles so that, later, she can help them to master the skills for writing their name in readiness for school. All children demonstrate a clear progression in their learning and development. They beam with pride as their success is celebrated in everything they do.

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need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, the childminder has worked with the local authority to address the weaknesses that were identified. By doing so, she has a clearer understanding of the significant events that she must notify Ofsted about. In addition, the childminder has completed some bespoke training. This has helped her to enhance her curriculum and better support children in their learning and development. n Children benefit from regular opportunities to play and learn outdoors in the fresh air. For example, children are eager to explore the sand tray in the garden, pedal wheeled toys and demonstrate their climbing skills on the apparatus. The childminder also takes children on regular outings. This helps them to learn about the natural world and community where they live. Children learn about road safety and keeping themselves safe while they enjoy exploring the town and countryside. n The childminder has high expectations for all children. She helps children learn

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need to do better?

how to show respect and kindness towards adults and their friends. For instance, children help each other to tidy away toys and ask each other for help when they need it. The childminder promotes children's independence well. Children confidently find their own coats and belongings, and competently put

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need to do better?

21 August 2023 on socks and shoes before going outside. n Children are learning about healthy lifestyles. They enjoy a varied and nutritious diet of home-made, freshly prepared meals. They have access to fresh drinking water in labelled water bottles, which they take indoors and outdoors as required. In addition, children understand and follow good hygiene routines, which are firmly embedded into the routines of the day. n The childminder supports some aspects of children's communication and language development well. For example, children enjoy singing favourite songs and listening to stories. The childminder encourages conversations and introduces new words to build on children's vocabulary. However, the childminder does not enhance children's understanding and speaking skills further. At times, she does not repeat correctly-formed words back to children that they have mispronounced. In addition, she does not make consistently good

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need to do better?

use of ways to encourage children's thinking skills. n Parents speak very highly of the service provided for them. They report positively on the care and education their children receive. They value the regular feedback about their children's development and the activities they take part in at the setting. Parents praise the advice the childminder shares about ways to support their children's learning at home. Partnerships are also well established with the other settings that children attend. This helps to ensure continuity in their care and learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of child protection and safeguarding children. She fully understands the signs and symptoms of potential abuse and knows who to contact to report any potential concerns. The childminder knows the procedure to follow should there be an allegation made against her or any other adult working or living on the premises. She completes regular safeguarding training to keep her knowledge up to date and shares good practice in online safety with parents. The childminder conducts regular risk assessments to ensure that the environment is safe.

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should:

n consistently model the correct pronunciation of words with children to better support their developing speech, language and communication skills n strengthen ways to extend children's thinking skills to help support even better understanding.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 317234 Local authority Cumberland Inspection number 10254472 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 1996 and lives in Wigton, Cumbria. She works with her husband, 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 COVID-19 pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provision. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures that they are safe and suitable. n The inspector completed a learning walk with the childminder to understand how she organises her setting and her 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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