Childminder in CornwallOfsted inspection, 12 Apr 2011

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 102475 Inspection date 12/04/2011 Inspector Sara Frost

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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 has been registered since 1991. She lives with her husband and one adult child on a residential area of Bodmin. The living areas of the home, including the conservatory, play room, lounge, kitchen area, and bathroom, are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have two pet rabbits and a cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the Early Years age range. She is currently minding eight children of whom four are in the early years age bracket, mostly on a part-time basis. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The childminder 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 belongs to the National Childminding Association (NCMA), and the local Bodmin and District childminding support group. She regularly takes children to local parks, woodland areas, soft play activities, groups and meets with other childminders for activities. The childminder drives or walks to take and collect children from the local Primary school and Pre-school.

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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

Children are clearly content and happy to leave their parents as they enter the homely environment the childminder provides. The childminder's wealth of experience in childcare has helped form good working relationships with parents to ensure children care is constantly met. Most children have been with the childminder for a stable period of time; she plainly knows each child's individual needs and interests well which she uses to effectively develop their progress and learning. The childminder has begun to reflect on her practice and uses this to make continuous improvements to her provision

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further?

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

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further?

 Develop learning journals to show next steps identified and share with parents to further support their child's development  update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for outings and trips  develop children's awareness of how to keep themselves safe in an emergency situation by regularly conducting fire evacuations. 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 provides a safe environment for children to play in. Children move freely around the childminders home and the resources the childminder provides are well organised to enable children to easily access and have free choice in their play.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded as all adults in the household have undertaken the relevant required checks. Her good knowledge and understanding of processes to follow should she have any child protection concerns ensure children are kept safe from harm. Children are protected in the event of having an accident as the childminder has recently updated her first aid. Confidentiality with regards to recording such as any accidents is now fully in place following the recommendation set at her previous inspection. Records of accidents shared with parents and countersigned by them ensure they are kept fully informed. Documentation shows fire equipment is frequently checked although fire evacuations are not regularly completed with the children and therefore, children are not fully aware of processes to follow or how to keep themselves safe in emergency situations. Appropriate risk assessments are in place to ensure children are kept safe within

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the early years provision

the childminder's home. However, not all risk assessments are completed for every trip or outing.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed a strong working partnership with all parents. Good information is shared between both parties which ensures children's individual needs are well met. Written documentation clearly shows how very pleased parents are with the care and additional support the childminder provides to their families. Learning journals are used to record observations and these are regularly shared with parents. However, the next steps of each child's development are not always recorded. The childminder has developed good links with other Early Years settings to enable children's individual development needs to be met.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a commitment to her professional development and practice. She expands on her wealth of experience and knowledge by regularly attending a range of childcare courses, childminding groups and uses the knowledge she has gained in her practice. She is able to reflect on her practice and has identified areas for improvement such as developing the way she records accidents and updating her practice and knowledge around safeguarding children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a homely environment where children are very relaxed and clearly feel at home. For example, younger children are confident in leaving their parents and happily engage in play with resources the childminder has out ready and waiting for them. Most of the children have been cared for by the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder for a long time and clearly have developed a close bond with her and her family. Older children's independence is promoted as the childminder arranges the resources and playthings within easy access. Activities planned are around children's individual interests. For example picture making with beads, engages child effectively to help with identified areas of development, such as concentration and sitting at an activity for a period of time. Children become engrossed in the activities as they play children's golf and throwing a ball at a number target board.

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and outcomes for children

They revel in the praise and sense of achievement when completed. Children confidently use small tools as they play in the sand tray. They share playthings and take turns this helps develop important social skills for the future. Children are polite and their behaviour is very good, they clearly know the boundaries set, such as removing outdoor shoes before entering the house, or having sun cream applied and the wearing sun hats when required. Art and craft activities and celebrations are incorporated into the planning to promote children's awareness of the wider world. Books are used effectively by the childminder to promote children's awareness of similarities and differences in people and places. The range of resources and playthings provided offer suitable challenges to meet and extend children's development

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and outcomes for children

Children are provided with opportunities to benefit from fresh air and exercise on a daily basis. In addition they regularly visit local play parks and a range of woodland areas where children are encouraged to make dens and explore the environment around. Trips to local recycling plant enable children to learn about sustainability. They confidently chat about items you can recycle, and where it goes. The childminder's home provides children with easy access to outdoor play, which is used to its full advantage. Older children freely access drinks when they recognise they are thirsty whilst playing outside. Younger children are reminded by the childminder that they might need have a drink to quench their thirst. Children are provided with opportunities to socialise with others and develop an awareness of the local community as they visit various groups. Photographic evidence shows activities planned help children gain an understanding of and learn about how to

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and outcomes for children

keep safe. For example, road safety awareness as they dress up in crossing patrol uniforms and role play using the zebra crossing play mat. Older children show care and concern as they develop respect for others such as finding resources for younger children to play with. Children's knowledge and understanding of caring for living things is further promoted as they share in the care of the family pet rabbits. 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 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 2 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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