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 are welcomed by the friendly and experienced childminder. The childminder supports children to separate easily from parents and settle quickly on arrival. She engages children in learning experiences that are adapted to suit their individual needs and abilities. This ensures all children feel included and unique. The childminder interacts beautifully with the children, and they demonstrate a strong bond. She effectively models sharing, initiating and joining in with conversation. The childminder reads children their favourite stories, and they snuggle in closely as they become immersed in the story. She encourages them to join in with familiar parts of the story and engages their interest in what might happen next.

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The provision is good

The childminder has high expectations for children. She has effective routines in place, which helps children to know what is coming next. This helps to promote positive behaviour and reinforce boundaries. The childminder promotes manners and respect, and she helps children to learn about the importance of sharing and taking turns. Children talk about feelings and emotions and say that it is ok to be different. They explore the local area and learn about the people who live and work in their community. The children celebrate events that are special to them, such as birthdays, Christmas and Easter. They learn about festivals celebrated by other cultures, including the Chinese New Year.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a clear curriculum in place, which builds on what children already know and can do. The childminder seeks parents feedback on their child's development on entry to help her form a baseline on which to build from. She uses this, along with her own observations and initial assessments, to provide a starting point on which to build. This helps her to identify next steps or any gaps in children's learning, enabling the childminder to effectively plan opportunities to further their learning. n The childminder makes effective use of books to engage the children in storytelling. She takes these opportunities to introduce new and unfamiliar words and to ensure children know their meaning. For example, she tells the children what 'ivy' is and reminds them what 'nocturnal' means. This helps to develop children's vocabulary and encourages their love of reading. n The childminder effectively weaves mathematical language throughout children's

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need to do better?

everyday activities. They learn concepts such as numbers, colours, size and shapes through activities such as mealtimes and baking. This helps children to become familiar with mathematical words and their meaning in real-life situations. n The childminder supports children's imagination and creativity through role play.

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need to do better?

6 October 2023 She also provides regular opportunities for them to paint and engage in messy play. However, these learning experiences do not always provide children with the freedom to explore their creativity and lead their own learning. This prevents children from expressing their autonomy and trying out new ways to do things. n The childminder places a high priority on developing children's independence. She encourages children to learn to do things for themselves from an early age. The childminder supports children to manage their own personal hygiene. They know to wash their hands before snack and meal times, after messy activities, after using the potty or after nappy changes. The childminder also encourages children to tidy up after themselves. This gives children a sense of ownership of the setting and helps them to learn the boundaries and rules. n The childminder attends all mandatory training and ensures she cascades

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need to do better?

training down to her assistants. The childminder regularly accesses training to improve her professional development. As one of the only childminders in the area, she attends regular network meetings with the local authority to ensure she has a good support network. This helps the childminder to maintain a high level of quality in her teaching and learning. n Partnership with parents is a priority for this childminder. They support each other with learning and development, behaviour and any needs children or their families may have. The childminder works closely with parents throughout their child's journey to ensure they provide a coordinated approach. Parents are happy with the level of care, learning and development their children receive. This helps parents to feel that their children are safe and in a positive environment where they can learn and thrive.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder provides a safe environment in which children can learn and develop. She has a good knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures and knows what to do if she has concerns about a child's well-being. The childminder also ensures that her assistants are fully aware of the procedures to follow should they have concerns about a child and the symptoms to be aware of. The childminder completes regular risk assessments to ensure children are kept safe. She reminds children of rules such as 'good sitting' to ensure they do not fall when sitting at the table. The childminder encourages the children to wash their hands regularly and promotes oral health.

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should:

n enhance the curriculum to provide children with more freedom to explore their creativity and try out new ideas.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY497664 Local authority Westmorland and Furness Inspection number 10301441 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 12 Number of children on roll 9 Date of previous inspection 15 January 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016 and lives in the Appleby-in-Westmorland area of Cumbria. She operates all year round from 9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an early years qualification at level 3. The childminder provides funded early years education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. She works with an assistant.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder 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 EYFS curriculum. 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 request.

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Inspection activities

6 October 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

6 October 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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