Childminder in Cornwall

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY332664 Inspection date 21/05/2010 Inspector Heather Tanswell

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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 registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and three young children in Helston, in Cornwall. Children use all areas of the childminder’s home, with the main bedroom being used for children to sleep. A garden area is used for outdoor play activities. Steps provide access to the premises.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than one may be in the early years age range. There are currently three minded children attending who are within the early years age range. The childminder also cares for children in this age group who are related to her. They all live locally and one also attends a nearby pre- school. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register, compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of a recognised network and is in receipt of funding for the early education of three and four-year-olds. She holds an early years qualification to NVQ Level 3. The childminder receives support from Cornwall Council's Children, schools and families directorate and network co-ordinator.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a very welcoming and inclusive environment where children feel at home and part of the family. The positive use of self-evaluation, reflective practice and commitment to ongoing training mean she is fully up to date and able to meet children's individual welfare, learning and development needs very well, most of the time. The childminder successfully communicates with parents but has not yet established effective partnership with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage to make sure children make even better progress.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 develop partnerships with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage who share care responsiblity to ensure consistency of learning and development  look at children's involvement in their learning as well as the nature and quality of adult's interactions to make sure children maintain their interest in planned activities  make sure children learn good self-care and hygiene routines, in this case by washing their hands before eating to protect themselves from cross infection. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder is well organised and knows how to safeguard children from harm. All the policies and procedures required to promote children's inclusion, safety and security are in place to underpin good practice and keep parents fully informed. Adult family members are vetted and comprehensive risk assessments identify and help to minimise hazards to children both in the home and on outings. The childminder has effective systems in place to protect children in the event of an emergency. She is very well qualified and attends relevant training to update her knowledge and skills.

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the early years provision

Parents value the flexible service provided by the childminder who keeps them well informed through 'Chat Wheels', daily diaries and learning journals. Parents note how much they appreciate the information they gather about their child's routines and activities through them and particularly value the photographs of children at play. Planning and assessment records show clear lines of development for individual children. For example, a child showing sustained interest in doing up the clips on her seat leads the childminder to plan to provide more resources and activities where she can practise these new skills by dressing dolls in the role play area.

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the early years provision

The home is well-resourced both indoors and out with good quality toys and equipment to support learning, development and care routines. The childminder makes very good use of local facilities to extend children's experience and understanding of the wider world. Visits to pre-school groups, play sessions at a nearby Children's Centre and parks provide additional worthwhile opportunities for children to learn, make friends and meet new people in the community.

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the early years provision

The childminder has made a very good start in evaluating her practice and recognises that links with other providers who share responsibility for the care, learning and development of children are a weakness. Sometimes children's interests are not acknowledged promptly which means they find it hard to sustain involvement in adult led activities such as looking at books. They are not always actively involved, for example, by acting out scenarios or through the use of props to tell the story. The childminder has made good progress since her last inspection by making sure all areas of her new home are safe and suitable for young children's use. The childminder has all the skills, commitment and drive to continue to improve.

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and outcomes for children

Children are fully included in the minding family, very happy and settled in their company. The childminder has a sound understanding of child development, treats children fairly and has confidently embraced the Early Years Foundation Stage. As a result, children make good progress in all areas of learning. Children's imagination, creativity, health and well-being are fostered through listening to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 popular stories such as The Hungry Caterpillar linked to topics on healthy eating. Activities include worthwhile experiences such as planting and growing, cooking and tasting food from other cultures. These activities are also planned to encourage children to sample a variety of healthy meals and snacks while helping them to understand why some choices are healthier than others. Children learn to assess risk while out walking to and from school as they practise road safety and

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and outcomes for children

avoid slips and falls indoors. Children do not always wash their hands before handling food as part of good hygiene routines. Clearly defined house rules make sure everyone knows what is expected of them. Children are well-occupied most of the time at worthwhile activities, encouraged to share and take turns and as a result behave very well and form firm friendships.

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and outcomes for children

There is ready access to resources that promote positive images and a good balance of adult led and child initiated play to foster active learning. The open plan living area is very well laid out for child initiated play with ready access to very good quality toys and equipment including a wooden role-play house and large low table for messy play and construction. Children enjoy sensory play as they spoon dry pasta into metal containers then listen to the sounds they create through shaking and stirring. The garden area is especially well and imaginatively resourced to promote all areas of learning. Lines strung with coloured balls suspended along the back fence enable children to explore space, movement, and compare patterns and number. Children gain confidence to make choice about where they play as they feel emotionally and physically safe to move about the premises independently. This is possible because of how well the childminder has

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and outcomes for children

thought through the layout and re-sourcing of her home to provide an enabling and sustainable environment. As a result of the childminder's care and attention to their individual needs, children develop all the skills they need to take their next steps in life according to their starting points. 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 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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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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