Childminder in Cornwall

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY286672 Inspection date 01/12/2008 Inspector Sarah Jane Wignall

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Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged four and ten in the town of St Austell, in Cornwall. Children use all ground floor areas of the childminder's home. The ground floor is level and accessible. A garden is used for outdoor play activities. The childminder has two cats and guinea pigs that live outside. The setting is open each weekday from 07.30 until 18.00 all year round. A maximum of five children aged from birth to eight years may attend the setting at any one time. The childminder is also a registered foster carer.

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Description of the childminding

There are currently three children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). They live locally and two also attend the early years unit of the local primary school during term time. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Restormel Networking Childminders Group.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are extremely well supported and flourish in this highly organised, safe and secure setting. The childminder is very effective and has an excellent knowledge and understanding of individual needs and as a result children make outstanding progress in their learning and development. Partnerships with parents are very well established ensuring that all children's individual needs are acknowledged and planned for. Rigorous systems of self evaluation are in place resulting in a setting that is continually developing and improving.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 continue to develop and consolidate links with other providers of the EYFS.

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provision

The childminder is an extremely competent, caring and committed professional. She makes sure she is well informed about practise issues and attends numerous training courses to support her role. For example she has recently attended a course to improve her knowledge of planning and assessment systems when delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) resulting in better outcomes for children. She has developed excellent links with local childminder support groups providing children with many opportunities to meet and socialise with others. For This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 example they thoroughly enjoy learning about road safety as they join in with organised activities at the local toddler group, learning how to cross the road safely and about the important role of the road safety officer.

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provision

The childminder's home is extremely well organised in order to meet children's individual needs. Designated play rooms provide children with ample opportunity to move freely, making choices about where they wish to play. Safety is seen as a high priority and regular and robust risk assessments are carried out to ensure hazards are minimised. The childminder has an excellent understanding and approach to safeguarding children. Parents are valued and included receiving high levels of information about their child's progress at the setting. The childminder makes excellent use of photos and daily diaries to give a visual and written explanation of how children are progressing at the setting. Parents regularly contribute ideas from home helping the childminder to plan stimulating, relevant learning experiences for the children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are at the heart of this setting and are clearly valued and respected. The home environment is dedicated to providing children with a stimulating play experience. The childminder's excellent knowledge and understanding of the EYFS ensures she provides children with a wide range of activities that both challenge and extend their learning. She is extremely well informed about individual interests and plans for this in a robust way. For instance when young children show an interest in using switches she obtains resources that consolidate and extend this learning. Young children show delight as they turn bright lights on and off and shine torches in darkened rooms. Monthly themes such as transport and numbers are used as a focus to the learning and then individual activities are planned around this. For example when young children show an interest in sitting on ride on toys, a range of other resources are provided and extended to include an

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

understanding of movement such as forwards and backwards.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Older children learn about lifecycles as they observe the progress of a chrysalis and support their learning through the use of books and other resources. Excellent use is made of story sacks to bring stories to life and young children particularly enjoy the story of The Hungry Caterpillar which helps them to understand and relate to the chrysalis. The childminder encourages children to enjoy and appreciate the outdoor environment and she takes them on lots of country walks. She uses the resources children collect to consolidate and extend their understanding of size and number as they make pictures comparing the size of the autumn leaves. She is responsive to events and children are fascinated as they look up into the sky to observe a rainbow, excitedly talking about the different colours and the shape. They enjoy regular trips to local places of interest such as the beach and The Eden Project. Children's understanding of the wider world is

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

extended as they make interesting posters of places they have visited on holiday or looked at in books. They talk about the different animals and the habitats they live in such as Penguins preferring cold climates. The childminder encourages children to learn about different cultures as they embrace other languages such as German. Well planned use of book's, the toy the library and the internet provide This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the resources to support the childminder in introducing children to simple words and phrases in German.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent approach to behaviour management and there is a positive ethos within the home. A recently introduced Good Behaviour Tree helps children feel proud when they select and hang their name on the tree in recognition of something they have done well. When young children are feeling unhappy or sad they can get the Happy Bear and this is an indication to the childminder that they may want to share their feelings or just sit quietly for a while. She is extremely sensitive and caring in her approach to the children and as a result they are happy and settled. There is a very good balance between adult led and free choice activities ensuring the children become confident and independent learners. All areas of the home and the resources are clearly labelled helping children learn to recognise familiar words and self select resources. Children's work is highly regarded and is prominently displayed in both play rooms

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

allowing parents the opportunity to see and acknowledge the work they have done.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Health and hygiene is given high priority and children are encouraged to follow established routines. They are provided with healthy snacks and meals and the childminder is fully informed of any specific dietary needs. Young children are encouraged to be independent in the setting and the childminder encourages and supports them as they move between play rooms successfully using the stairs unaided. Children gain an understanding of fire safety as they participate in regular fire drills. The childminder keeps comprehensive records of children's progress undertaking regular and relevant observations and assessments in order to plan appropriate challenging next steps in their learning. She has begun to establish links with other providers of the EYFS, for instance in supporting children who are going to school to be able to put on coats and shoes. She is keen to further develop these links so that children's learning is seamless ensuring they continue

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

to make excellent progress in all areas of learning and development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 1 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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