Childminder in Cornwall

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY173138 Inspection date 19/10/2011 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 2002. She lives with her husband and adult child in the town of St Austell in Cornwall. Children use all areas of the childminder's home and there is a . A garden is used for outdoor play activities. The family have two dogs and one cat. The setting is open each weekday from 8am until 6pm all year round. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. 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. The childminder is a member of the Restormel Childminding Group.

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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 meets children's individual needs well. They are happy and settled and make good progress in their learning and development. Most aspects of health and safety are well met. The childminder regularly reflects on her practice to ensure it continues to meet children's needs. For instance she regularly updates her equipment and attends relevant training courses. She demonstrates a strong capacity to improve.

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further?

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

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further?

 update the record of risk assessment to include an assessment of risks for outings and trips  develop further the observation and assessment systems to clearly identify next steps in children''s learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a clear commitment to safeguarding. All adults in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the home have undergone suitability checks and the childminder ensures children are well supervised when unchecked adults are present. She demonstrates a good understanding of safeguarding procedures and is aware of action to take if concerned about children in her care. She ensures she is kept fully up to date with changes in children's home circumstances so that she can offer appropriate support to them. She regularly assesses the suitability of the home using written risk assessments to record her findings. While she is aware of risks associated with routine outings these have not been included in her record of risk assessment. Children demonstrate a good awareness of safety and enjoy participating in regular fire drills where they learn about fire safety.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides children with a safe and secure environment in which to play and develop. The home is well organised with toys and resources, available in several different rooms. For instance children enjoy playing on the floor in the lounge with a wide range of stimulating toys, or they decide to be creative in the craft room. An additional play room is located upstairs where children can select other resources and toys. They help themselves to toys and use them in imaginative ways for instance they use puppets to play theatres, or dress up in different clothes to support their game. Daily sessions are well organised and include a balance of free play and some structured activities. For instance children enjoy sitting on the floor to look at books and learn new words that are introduced to them. The childminder has a good understanding of children's individual needs and plans activities that interest them. She ensures all children are fully included,

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the early years provision

giving additional support to younger children so that they can fully participate. She helps children to learn about difference and diversity as they look at books or play with a varied range of resources.

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the early years provision

The childminder works well in partnership with parents and others. Regular discussions with parents ensure that key information is exchanged and both parties informed of children's daily routines and development. Information displayed in the setting helps keep them informed of activities and topics planned. The childminder communicates with other settings helping to ensure that information is exchanged and used to promote children's care and learning. The childminder uses self- evaluation to reflect on her strengths and develop her setting. She is keen to develop her skills through ongoing training and has recently completed an NVQ 3 in management. She has made several improvements since her last inspection, such as increasing the variety of resources, particularly in Information technology. She demonstrates a strong commitment to continuous improvement.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled with the childminder and make good progress in this warm and welcoming setting. They have established positive relationships both with the childminder and each other and are learning to share and work together. For instance children are gently reminded to wait for a turn on the bike and to be careful when playing near others. Children enjoy using their imagination and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 confidently dress up putting on play shoes and tunics to support their play. They demonstrate good physical skills as they fasten themselves into clothes and put on shoes, proudly announcing that they are going to be a princess.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident communicators and chat away to each other and the childminder as they play. The childminder uses books and stories to help extend children's vocabulary for instance by introducing new words such as 'Rhinoceros'. The childminder uses this as an opportunity to introduce other areas of learning to children as they discuss the colour, size and potential danger of these animals. Children enjoy using different materials to draw and make marks, helping to develop pre-writing skills. The childminder ensures that resources are freely available helping to support free choice and spontaneous learning. For instance children decide they would like to play with dough in the craft room and confidently ask for the colours they want and the tools they need. They enjoy rolling and shaping dough, making tall models using a variety of colours and shapes.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing a good awareness of healthy lifestyles. The childminder introduces topics about dental health encouraging children to clean their teeth and discuss some of the equipment the dentist uses. Children follow good hygiene routines and are provided with a varied range of healthy meals and snacks. The childminder sits with them as they eat their snack and encourages them to make healthy choices when choosing what to put on their plate. Good use is made of the garden for play and fresh air. Children thoroughly enjoy riding bikes around the patio demonstrating strong physical skills as they pedal or push the bike along with their feet.

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and outcomes for children

Children are secure and demonstrate a strong sense of belonging. They respond positively to the childminder, for instance when she asks them to help tidy away or to say sorry if they have hurt another child. They show good levels of self-esteem and respond well to the positive praise and reinforcement they receive. They play well both independently and together, for instance, when they use puppets in their game, or they share play dough and tools when making models. They are interested and engaged. They show a developing awareness of technology as they use electronic toys and resources to support their play, for instance, when they look through telescopes or use battery operated bikes to ride on. The childminder has a good awareness of children's individual needs and stages of development and has begun to carry out observations to support these assessments, however these are not yet in place for all children. She is keen to develop these systems so

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and outcomes for children

that observations and assessments are more closely linked to the early learning goals and next steps identified for each child. 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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