Childminder in Cornwall

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY236054 Inspection date 08/02/2010 Inspector Sarah Jane Wignall

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Type of setting Childminder 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 Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. 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 2002. She lives with her partner and one child aged nine in the town of Bodmin, in Cornwall. Children use all ground floor areas of the childminder's home. The house is accessed by steps leading up from the front garden. A garden is used for outdoor play activities. The family have three dogs. The setting is open each weekday from 8.00am until 6.00pm all year round. A maximum of six children aged from birth to eight years may attend the setting at any one time, of these, not more than three may be in the early years age group.

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Description of the childminding

There are currently four children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). They live in the local and surrounding areas. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is accredited to receive funding to provide nursery education and is a member of the National Childminding Association, Cornwall Community Childminding Network and the Kernow Childminding Network.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent understanding of children's individual needs. She uses this information to plan a wide range of activities and experiences for children, enabling them to make exceptional progress in their learning and development. Rigorous systems are in place to ensure the home is safe and secure. Relationships with parents are very well established and contribute to the way individual needs are met. Thorough use of self-evaluation helps the childminder focus on future developments.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the outdoor area so that children have more opportunities to engage in physical challenges and be physically active each day.

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the early years provision

The childminder places a very high emphasis on safeguarding and has effective systems in place to ensure children are well protected at all times. All adults in the home have been checked and vetted and she provides constant supervision when unvetted adults are present. Comprehensive policies and procedures are in place This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to support her practice. Health and safety is given the highest priority and the home is extremely well organised, providing children with clear and safe areas in which to play. The childminder ensures the home is very clean and hygienic, with separate areas provided for the dogs, limiting the risks of cross contamination. Children are gaining a thorough understanding of safety routines and they respond extremely well when gently reminded not to run or climb.

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the early years provision

The childminder is highly organised, allowing her to maximise the time and attention she gives to children in her care. Children have easy access to a very wide range of toys and resources that are attractively presented and interesting. Excellent use is made of local community groups and attractions, providing children with an extremely varied curriculum and giving them stimulation and variety on a daily basis. For instance, children thoroughly enjoy exploring snow and ice as they visit the Eden project for the toddler skating sessions.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are strong and they are kept very well informed about their child's progress and development. Information is exchanged in a variety of ways, with weekly photos loaded onto a disc and sent home for parents to enjoy. Regular informative newsletters advise parents of forthcoming topics and events and questionnaires are used for their suggestions. Excellent relationships are in place with other agencies involved with children, ensuring that care is well planned and individual needs fully met. The childminder is very competent and committed and constantly strives to improve and develop her practice. She is an active member of two local networks which provide her with professional support and access to training and funding in order to constantly develop her childminding service.

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and outcomes for children

Children make exceptional progress in this safe and stimulating environment. They are happy and content and their confidence increasing as they participate in a wide range of well thought through activities and experiences. The childminder has a thorough understanding of the EYFS and uses regular observations and assessments in order to track children's progress and identify areas where further support is needed. Her planning is very well organised following clearly defined topics which are then supported with appropriate and interesting resources. She uses her knowledge of children's interests to ensure planned activities are relevant and meaningful. For instance, children are fascinated as they use a range of torches when exploring light and dark in the 'dark tent'. The childminder skilfully supports them as they play, encouraging them as they venture into the tent, discussing the changing colours that emerge. Children learn about technology as

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and outcomes for children

they have access to an excellent range of equipment, such as a laptop, digital camera and a microscope.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very well supported by the childminder as they develop language skills. She encourages them as they talk, introducing new words to them as they play with the garage and cars. Electronic 'talking tins' are used to attract children as they listen to nursery rhymes and stories. Children sit comfortably with the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder as she reads stories from books they have chosen. Children are developing key social skills as they learn to play together and share. The childminder gently reminds them to take turns when waiting to roll cars down a ramp or to use a torch.

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and outcomes for children

Clear daily routines give children a strong sense of security and increase their confidence. They respond extremely well to the gentle and calm approach of the childminder as she provides activities tailored to their individual needs. She encourages children to develop a sense of themselves as they hang their coats on named pegs, drink from named cups and recognise themselves when looking at photos. The childminder ensures they gain familiarity with their own local environment as they visit parks and attractions in their local area.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder ensures children are provided with fresh air and exercise each day as they visit local play parks or go for walks to the beach or woods. They develop physical skills as they play on a range of equipment or use toboggans when playing in the snow. The childminder is very keen to develop her own garden area so that children have easy access to the outdoor environment. Excellent systems are in place to support children's understanding of a healthy lifestyle. They develop a keen interest and knowledge regarding food production. Extremely well planned projects involve them visiting local farm shops to choose and buy pumpkins, prepare them for Halloween, make soup from the pumpkin and bread rolls which are then eaten and enjoyed for lunch. Children thoroughly enjoy picking strawberries in the spring and planting lettuce seeds at home. They are provided with a very healthy range of snacks each day consisting of fresh and dried fruit

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and outcomes for children

and vegetables. Robust systems are in place regarding health and safety and the childminder ensures parents are fully informed of any accidents or illness at the setting.

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and outcomes for children

Children thrive in this calm and caring environment. The childminder is very sensitive to individual needs and ensures that children are extremely well supported as they play and learn. She provides clear and consistent boundaries and rewards children with praise and encouragement, which gives them a positive attitude to learning. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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Stage

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

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