Childminder in Cornwall

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY414041 Inspection date 24/01/2011 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 2010. She lives with her two children aged 10 and 14 in the town of St Austell in Cornwall. Children use all areas of the childminder's home. Bathroom facilities are located on the first floor. A garden is used for outdoor play activities. The family has a dog. The setting is open each weekday from 7am until 5.30pm 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 three children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. They 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.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children make sound progress in their learning and development. The childminder has a suitable knowledge of their individual needs. She makes good use of her indoor environment and provides a broad range of resources each day. Health and safety are given high priority. She has begun to use assessment systems to identify progress. Partnerships with parents are positive and they are kept informed of daily events. The childminder has begun to identify some areas for development and demonstrates a satisfactory capacity to improve.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 provide evidence of completion of the Introducing Childminding Practice course (Suitable people) 12/02/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the garden area to enable children further opportunities to freely explore, use their senses and be physically active and exuberant across all areas of learning  develop further observation and assessment systems in order to identify learning priorities for each child  develop systems of self-evaluation to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of safeguarding. There is a satisfactory policy in place to support her practice and she can describe the action she would take if concerned about children in her care. She provides children with good levels of supervision. Children are supervised when unchecked adults are present. Risk assessments are carried out ensuring the home is made safe and secure. Children gain an awareness of fire safety as they practise fire drills with the childminder. While she has a suitable understanding of the requirements of registration, at inspection she was not able to provide evidence of completion of an approved training course. This is a breach of a specific legal requirement.

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the early years provision

Most play takes place in the lounge and dining room. This area is well organised providing children with clear areas of play space. They have easy access to a suitable range of toys and resources which they confidently select. The garden is occasionally used in fine weather but is not used to fully support children's learning across all areas of the curriculum. Children receive high levels of support from the childminder who constantly sits with them helping to extend their knowledge as they play. Daily routines are flexible with the childminder responding to children's changing needs and interests. Children benefit from the opportunity to meet and play with other children on outings with other local childminders.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parent and others are sound. There is a regular exchange of information providing them with suitable information on how well their child is achieving and their daily routines. Parents' views are sought through the use of occasional questionnaires. The childminder has begun to establish links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage helping to keep her informed of children's progress at other settings. The childminder ensures documentation is in place and policies and procedures are made available to parents. She has begun to reflect on her strengths and identified some areas for development such as increasing her knowledge and confidence in safeguarding and planning. She is keen to develop her provision and demonstrates a suitable capacity to improve.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and confident with the childminder. They help themselves to toys from those available and enjoy playing on the floor with small world resources. The childminder offers high levels of support and interaction as children play, extending their knowledge and understanding. For instance, children learn about numbers and position as they count the number of blocks they have or look for the number four. They talk about open, closed and under as they put cars in the house. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder is very responsive to young children's physical needs and ensures they are comfortable and settled throughout. She gently settles toddlers to sleep, talking softly as she pushes the buggy while they drift off to sleep. She discusses home routines with parents ensuring that food and sleep requirements are met. Children are beginning to understand about health and hygiene as hands are

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and outcomes for children

wiped before eating and after playing outdoors. Accident and medication records are completed and shared with parents and dietary needs discussed. Toddlers develop physical skills as they walk and crawl and demonstrate their sense of belonging as they move away from the childminder going into the dining area in order to watch the dog playing in the garden. Children behave well actively helping to tidy away toys helping to develop positive skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children have established positive relationships both with the childminder and each other. Toddlers smile as they watch older children playing and they are well included as they sit on the floor together. Children learn to take turns while waiting for a go at posting a block or pressing an electronic button. The childminder helps children become confident as they speak. She asks lots of questions and involves them when reading stories. She acknowledges all communication introducing new vocabulary as they look at pictures in books or play a game. She is positive and encouraging helping to raise self-esteem and confidence.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about safety both in the home and outdoors. They are encouraged to help tidy toys away and reminded not to run in the house. When out walking they hold onto the buggy and know to stay close to the childminder near roads.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has begun to undertake observations of children and has created learning journeys containing photographs and samples of children's work. She intends to develop these systems so that observations are linked to assessments helping her identify progress across all areas of learning and set meaningful next steps for all children. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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