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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children beam as the childminder welcomes them with cuddles into her home- from-home environment. Children hug each other and demonstrate their close bonds with friends. As soon as they arrive, children are eager to play and immediately choose their favourite toys from the shelves. The childminder and her assistant constantly talk and sing with the children as they join in with their chosen play. The room is filled with the buzz of giggling and chattering.

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The provision is good

The childminder and her assistant are positive role models. They establish clear boundaries and help children to learn how to respect each other. They calmly and gently remind children of how to share, be kind and use good manners. Younger children then imitate this in their imaginative play as they take turns to pour cups of tea for the older children. Children listen attentively at tidy-up time. They grin with delight as they help each other to find where the numbered dinosaurs go. Children's behaviour is good.

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The provision is good

The childminder provides activities that reflect children's interests. This helps children to be curious and eager to join in. They eagerly lay the table with a pretend picnic, naming the foods as they place them on plates. The childminder also encourages children to be active in their learning. For example, she waves a whisk in the air, filled with coloured scarves for children to jump up and reach. As they choose a scarf, she asks children to shout out the name of the colour for everyone to hear. Children count the scarves before putting them on their heads for a game of peekaboo. They shout 'Boo!' and laugh repeatedly as the childminder joins in. Children are developing positive attitudes to learning in preparation for starting school.

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need to do better?

n Partnerships with parents are effective. Parents speak highly of the childminder's 'warmth and professionalism'. The childminder makes good use of her observations of what children know and can do, to help inform parents about their child's next steps for learning. Parents are happy that she shares her 'extensive knowledge' with them. This encourages parents to extend children's learning at home. n The childminder's curriculum builds on what children know and can do. She names the different animals as children mimic the sounds that animals make. The childminder models counting in the correct sequence when children line animals up. When children talk about the animals 'under' the farmhouse, the childminder talks about putting the animals 'over' the bridge. Her carefully considered interactions help children to progress well, and they are eager to explore and learn more.

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need to do better?

8 February 2024 n Children experience opportunities for healthy eating. The childminder ensures that children have access to fresh water. She also speaks to parents about the importance of healthy alternatives in packed lunches. The childminder's assistant talks with children about foods that help them stay fit and well. Children happily eat berries and carrots for snack. They are beginning to learn about the importance of healthy lifestyles n The childminder gives high priority to children's communication and language development. She promotes a love of books and makes story times interactive. For example, the childminder encourages children to touch and feel the shiny pictures as she talks about what they can see. She slows down her storytelling, emphasising key words that children repeat. Children wait attentively for the childminder to read their favourite stories. They anticipate seeing familiar

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need to do better?

characters in the book. Children's understanding and vocabulary are developing well. They are also demonstrating behaviours which support their learning. n Children are physically active during visits to the park, soft play and in the childminder's garden, weather permitting. During these activities, the childminder encourages children to use large muscles as they bend, stretch and extend their bodies. However, she does not plan the programme for physical development to provide ways for children to revisit and practise their skills at other times. This means that children do not refine and build on their gross motor skills consistently well. n The childminder is committed to supporting new assistants to develop their skills and knowledge. She encourages working as a team to share ideas. Observations and discussions happen daily and are beginning to be used to help identify training needs. However, procedures for supervision and coaching are in the

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need to do better?

early stages. They are not yet helping assistants to develop the precise skills and knowledge needed to deliver consistently high-quality education. n The childminder recognises when children need additional support. She communicates with parents and outside agencies to devise specific strategies to support children's next stages of development. This helps all children to make as much progress as they can from their starting points.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n enhance the programme for physical development to help children practise and refine their gross motor skills more consistently

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should:

8 February 2024 n extend the coaching and mentoring of assistants to focus more precisely on increasing their teaching skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2647924 Local authority Cumberland Inspection number 10308660 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 Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2019 and lives in Longtown, Cumbria. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an early years qualification at level 3. She provides funded early years 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 childminder and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the childminder. n The childminder led the inspector on a learning walk. She showed how her home is organised and shared information about the intent for the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children. n The childminder and inspector discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact that this had on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to children to find out about their time at the setting. n Parents and carers shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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Inspection activities

8 February 2024 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

8 February 2024 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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