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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

The childminder provides a warm and homely environment that is safe and inviting for children. She provides a nurturing approach that enables children to settle quickly. New babies, recently joining the childminder's care, happily play alongside her. Babies giggle and splash in the water tray. They reach out for comfort and reassurance from the childminder when they need it. This shows that babies feel secure and have high levels of self-esteem.

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The provision is good

Children are creative and curious. The childminder works effortlessly to create a curriculum that is reflective of each child's individual interests and next steps in learning. For example, children show an interest in growing pumpkins at home and cooking. Adults working with children provide a pumpkin shop so children can explore size and shape. They explain how pumpkins grow and model using brushes and water to 'scrub' them clean. Furthermore, adults introduce words to describe different parts and textures of pumpkins as they cook soup for lunch. They embrace children's imagination as they combine rope, wheelbarrows and bikes to transport pumpkins around the garden. Children make good progress in readiness for their next stage of learning.

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The provision is good

The childminder uses clear and consistent messages to set high expectations for children's behaviour. Adults act promptly when modelling how to share and take turns. They encourage cooperative play in older children as they work together to transport large pumpkins in the role play area. Adults are patient and calm, which encourages children to listen to what is being asked of them. Children are kind and respectful and behave well.

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need to do better?

n Partnerships with parents and the childminder are well established. The childminder has daily conversations with parents about what children have been doing each day. The childminder listens and mirrors what children do at home as part of the wide range of activities she provides. This helps meet children's needs, so they settle quickly in her home. n The childminder prioritises planning a wide range of experiences for the children. This includes trips to local cafes as well as museums outside of the local area to support children to learn about others. In addition, the childminder plans cooking activities that build on children's interests at home. For example, children visit local members of the community and assist them by picking fruit from their apple trees and cooking with them. n Any adults the childminder employs are supported well by the childminder to develop their skills and knowledge. She encourages adults to share their ideas

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need to do better?

and experiences to grow as a team. The childminder uses daily observations to

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need to do better?

14 October 2024 discuss areas of support required. Together, they monitor and discuss children's progress and recognise next steps. The childminder uses this information well to identify specific training opportunities. This supports all adults who work with children to understand their role and to meet the needs of the children who attend. n Children's physical development is well supported. The childminder promotes ample opportunities for children to practise large-muscle movements. For example, they pull logs on ropes across the garden and carry large pumpkins in the outdoor role play area. This allows children to practise coordination and build their core strength. n The childminder identifies the importance of supporting children's understanding of early mathematical concepts. For example, when children transport pumpkins, adults working with them ask them what size they are and if they are choosing a

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need to do better?

smaller or bigger one. However, the childminder does not fully support the adults who work with children to deepen children's knowledge of counting and numbers. This does not effectively promote children's mathematical development to the highest possible level. n The childminder promotes opportunities for children to develop good health. For instance, she provides a variety of fruit and vegetables, access to water and regular physical activity throughout the day. The childminder supports younger children to learn how to wash their hands. She also talks to the children about tooth brushing to support children's understanding of hygiene routines. This supports children to understand how they can live healthy lifestyles. n The childminder promotes children's communication and language exceptionally well. She creates a language-rich environment that is filled with stories, singing and discussion. For example, baskets of dried leaves allow younger children to

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need to do better?

explore the 'crunching' sounds. At snack time, older children sing 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star', and the childminder talks about the 'colourful' northern lights that appeared recently. Such rich conversations allow children to understand the meaning of words.

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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 further develop how adults support children to build on their understanding of numbers and counting to enhance their mathematical development to the highest possible level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY478082 Local authority Cumberland Inspection number 10351328 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 9 Date of previous inspection 25 October 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2014 and lives in Walton, near Brampton, Cumbria. She operates all year round from 8am to 4.30pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a degree and qualified teacher status. She works with an assistant who holds an early years qualification at level 3. The childminder provides funded early years education for children aged between nine months and three years.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure they are safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their early years foundation stage curriculum. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder, her assistants and the 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 shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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Inspection activities

14 October 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

14 October 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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