James, Mrs Denise

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 102547 Inspection date 05/01/2011 Inspector Sarah 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 assesses 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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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 1991. She lives with her husband and two adult children in the town of Bodmin in Cornwall. Children use most areas of the childminder's home. A garden is used for outdoor play activities. The family has two dogs, four cats and chickens that live in the garden. The setting is open each weekday from 7.00am until 6.00pm all year round. When working alone 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. When working with an assistant a maximum of nine children aged from birth to eight years may attend, and of these, six may be in the early years age group.

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Description of the childminding

There are currently nine children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. Most live locally and some also attend other early years settings. 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. The childminder has a level 3 qualification in Care and Education. She has also achieved a level 3 Quality Assurance award with the National Childminding Association. She is a member of the Bodmin and District Childminding Group.

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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 is a competent and committed practitioner. She has an excellent knowledge of children's individual needs and provides an extremely interesting and varied range of activities each day. Safety and security are given high priority and children receive excellent levels of supervision and support as they play. Relationships with parents and others are very well established. The childminder constantly reflects on and evaluates her practice ensuring continual improvement and development. For instance, she is currently planning to promote and extend children's knowledge and understanding of healthy lifestyles.

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further?

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

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further?

 developing further children's knowledge and understanding of healthy lifestyles and healthy choices. 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 has a secure understanding of safeguarding and places children's safety and security as an extremely high priority. Detailed policies and procedures are in place and made available to parents. The childminder undertakes regular training to ensure her knowledge and skills are current. All adults in the home have been vetted and the childminder works closely with her assistant to provide children with very high levels of supervision both in the home and outdoors. Comprehensive risk assessments and detailed daily checks are used to ensure the indoor and outdoor environment remain safe and suitable. Children have a good understanding of safety and they follow established procedures when going outdoors. Regular fire drills help to keep them fully aware of action to take in the event of a fire.

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the early years provision

The childminder's practice is exemplary and she is committed to constantly developing and improving her practice. She is an active member of the local Childminding group, meeting regularly with other local childminder's to share good practice ideas and to plan group events for the children. She has undertaken a wealth of training in a wide range of subjects helping to develop and expand her own knowledge and skills. Excellent use is made of local community based groups to provide children with variety and interest as well as good use of the outdoors for exploratory play and learning. The home is extremely well organised, providing children with opportunities to self select resources and make choices about their play. The childminder makes excellent use of her time and her resources. Detailed planning is in place and focuses on various themes such as Christmas or transport. She uses the planning flexibly, changing and adapting it as children's needs and

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are highly effective and used to fully support children in the setting. They receive comprehensive written information on enrolment and throughout their child's time at the setting. Regular newsletters keep them well informed about themes and topics as well as current events such as training undertaken by the childminder or fund raising events. The hallway is used to display children's work and photographs making this an extremely warm and welcoming entrance both for children and parents. The childminder seeks to involve parents in her ongoing evaluations and regular questionnaires are used to establish their satisfaction or suggestions. She includes children in this process asking for their suggestions for activities during school holidays or when planning weekly menus. Well presented and detailed learning journeys are given to parents on a regular basis so that they are fully involved and aware of their children's

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the early years provision

progress at the setting. The childminder ensures she is fully informed of changing needs and interests and works closely with parents and others to ensure her planning is appropriate and relevant to individual needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder constantly evaluates and reflects on all areas of her provision. Since her last inspection she has undertaken a range of training and developed her provision in line with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She makes excellent use of local resources like the library to vary her range of books This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and toys and ensures children make good use of natural resources. She works very closely with her assistant each day, providing children with constant levels of support and supervision as they play and move around the home. She has identified several areas for ongoing development one of which is to extend children's awareness of healthy lifestyles. She demonstrates an excellent capacity to improve.

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and outcomes for children

Children make very good progress in this warm and caring environment. Excellent relationships exist with the childminder and each other. Children are confident and inquisitive using their imagination well as they invent games to play. For instance they use cardboard boxes to make a train and improvise with jar lids for money. All children are fully included eagerly sitting on the train as they plan their journey. The childminder skilfully interacts with them, extending their knowledge and understanding as they play. For instance they all receive a train ticket as they board.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about shape and size as they roll and cut dough. They choose different sized circles talking about the largest and smallest, or the shape of the cutters. Older children develop problem solving skills as they count the number of children and calculate the plates needed for snack. They talk about colour and texture as they discuss different coloured plates or dough. Resources are very well organised and planned to support children's learning. For instance visits to the local train station are planned to support children's understanding of transport.

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and outcomes for children

Excellent use is made of the outdoor environment to support learning. Regular trips to the woods, local parks and play areas help them develop a love of the outdoors. Good use is made of the enclosed garden and paddock areas for fresh air and exercise. Children learn about food production as they help to plant and grow fruit, vegetables and plants. Photographs of sunflowers they have grown are proudly displayed in the hall. Children are fully involved in food preparation and menu planning. Weekly cooking activities help them to understand the process as they pick apples from the tree and make cakes and mincemeat using these ingredients. Mealtimes are a social occasion with children and adults sitting together and talking. Children develop strong social skills as they learn to share, take turns and use appropriate manners. They develop a clear understanding of health and hygiene as they wash hands before eating and help themselves to

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and outcomes for children

drinks when they are thirsty. Children's dietary and health needs are fully discussed and agreed with parents.

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate a clear awareness of safety. The home and garden are well organised providing them with dedicated areas to play. They confidently move around the home helping themselves to resources from clearly labelled storage boxes and units. The childminder gently reinforces the safety message helping young children to fasten shoes in case they fall. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children thrive in this stimulating, warm and caring environment. The childminder has an excellent understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Regular observations and assessments are carried out to help her identify progress and plan appropriate and challenging next steps. She has a very good awareness of individual needs and stages of development and provides activities and resources that support this. For instance when young children are developing language skills

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and outcomes for children

she uses books and stories to extend their language development and listening skills. Well presented learning journeys are completed with photographs of children and samples of their work to demonstrate their progress and to share with parents. Planning is used flexibly to guide sessions and changing needs and interests are fully recognised.

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and outcomes for children

Children respond extremely well to the positive relationship they have both with the childminder and her assistant. She is kind and caring and dedicated to her work. She offers high levels of support and encouragement to children as they play. They feel valued and as a result approach learning with interest and enthusiasm. This equips them very well for the future. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

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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