Childminder in Cornwall

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY422024 Inspection date 16/06/2011 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 2011. She lives with her husband and two children in the village of Polgooth on the outskirts of St Austell in Cornwall. Children use all ground and lower ground floor areas of the childminder's home. Access to the property is by a series of staggered steps along a path. A garden is used for outdoor play activities. The family have one dog and a cat. The setting is open each weekday from 8.00am until 6.00pm all year round. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory or voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to provide care for a maximum of five children under eight years and of these, no more than three may be in the early years age group and of these no more than one may be aged under one year at any one time.

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Description of the childminding

There are currently four children on the roll who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage age group. The childminder also offers before and after school care to children aged between five years and 11 years. There is no provision for overnight care. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 wide range of activities that meet children's individual needs well. Health and safety are given high priority. The childminder has established positive relationships with parents and other providers, and information is exchanged on a regular basis. The childminder regularly evaluates her practice using action plans to focus on areas of development. She is enthusiastic and committed to continual improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 provide children with increased opportunities to develop their understanding of problem solving, reasoning and numeracy in a broad range of contexts.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to providing high quality care. She provides children with a safe and secure environment using risk assessments and daily checks to ensure all safety equipment is in place and all identified hazards are minimized. She demonstrates a good awareness of safeguarding issues and has This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 comprehensive policies and procedures in place to support her practice.

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the early years provision

She has attended training on child protection and is aware of action to take if she should have any concerns about the welfare of a child within her care. She ensures children are closely supervised at all times and especially when unchecked adults are present. She monitors children's health and safety and any accidents are fully recorded and details are shared with parents. She regularly checks her smoke alarms and practices regular fire drills with the children so that they know what to do and how to behave in an emergency.

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the early years provision

Children are cared for in a well organized home environment. Most care takes place on the ground floor with the lower ground floor used for quiet times. Age appropriate toys and resources are well presented and easily accessible to children. The childminder encourages children to choose their own toys and resources, making note of toys they enjoy playing with at other settings. For instance when children show an interest in playing with train sets at toddler group she purchases these for use at home.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes very good use of her garden promoting children's health and fitness, as well as lots of walks out in the local countryside. Good use is made of local community based groups providing children with variety and opportunities for play and interaction with other children, thereby allowing them to develop their social skills and an awareness of the diversity of people in the wider world..

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the early years provision

The childminder is very enthusiastic about her role and clearly enjoys working closely with children. She has attended several training courses since her registration and is keen to develop her skills through additional training in the future. She makes good use of advice and support from other childminder's and from outside agencies. She has established positive relationships with parents. They receive good quality written information on enrolment and regular discussions help keep both parties fully informed of daily routines. Regular meetings are used to share and discuss learning journeys ensuring parents are informed of children's learning and development at the setting. Effective links have been established with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage aiding continuity of care.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy and settled with the childminder. On arrival they settle quickly to play, separating easily from parents and carers. They enjoy helping themselves to a wide range of interesting toys and resources. The childminder sits on the floor with children supporting them and interacting as they play. For instance she gets fully involved in role play talking about which vegetables children will choose for the kitchen and helping them put on dresses and other outfits to support their game. Children use their imagination well as they act out different roles. They learn to play with others as they ask them if they would like to dress up as well. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Daily routines are flexible and based around children's individual needs and interests. For example the childminder makes regular use of local groups and walks in the local area. However if children prefer to stay at home and play she is

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and outcomes for children

happy to follow this. She encourages and supports children as they play and learn for instance as they build towers with bricks she talks about the size and shape. She is keen to provide a wider range of opportunities to extend children's understanding of problem solving and numeracy. Children learn about colours as they discuss which plate they would like to use at snack time and about the colour of the dress they are wearing.

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and outcomes for children

Children have easy access to a wide range of both fiction and nonfiction books. Regular story times are a feature of the setting and children enjoy sitting with the childminder to look at books and talk about the story. Older children develop pre writing skills as they write shopping lists or draw pictures. The childminder has a good range of resources that reflect the diversity of people within the community such as 'small world' figures with different skin tones, plus books and puzzles with appropriate illustrations. The children are encouraged to talk about their home bcakgrounds and to view these positively. Festivals such as Chinese New Year are celebrated with craft activities and tasting of different foods.

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate a strong sense of belonging, happily making choices about their play. They have established a strong bond with the childminder and respond positively to her. They learn to share and take turns and older children are gently reminded not to take toys away from younger children. Children sit together for social meal times chatting away as they eat. The childminder encourages them to use appropriate manners helping to develop key social skills.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes health and hygiene exceptionally well. Children have access to a good outdoor play space where they help to plant and grow fruit and vegetables and tend to the chickens. This increases their awareness of how food is grown and produced, and their understanding of the natural world. A wide range of home cooked meals and snacks are provided and the childminder works very closely with parents in supporting all children to eat healthily. Regular walks out in the local countryside and physical play outdoors helps develop strong physical skills. Children demonstrate a clear understanding of personal hygiene routines. They enthusiastically wash and dry their hands selecting their own flannels; a system designed to limit cross infection.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides children with a broad and balanced range of activities each day. Each child has a detailed learning journey which contains regular observations and assessments of their progress and which she uses to set relevant next steps. Photographs and samples of children's work support her observations. Children clearly enjoy their time with the childminder and as a result are making good progress in their learning and development. 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 1 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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