Childminder in Cornwall

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 201107 Inspection date 27/10/2011 Inspector Susan Rogers

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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 1993. She lives with her husband and one adult daughter in Nuneaton in Warwickshire. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding and there is ground floor toilet. There is a fully enclosed rear garden. The childminder has one rabbit that is housed indoors.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years of age at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently five children attending three of whom are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. Of these four attend on a full-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory 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

A suitable environment and caring nature of the childminder provide children with stability where they make satisfactory progress. Policies and procedures are mostly effective in protecting children's needs but some regulatory requirements have not been met. Resources are appropriate and meet the needs of the ages of children that attend the setting. Partnerships with parents is satisfactory but the childminder has yet to develop links with additional agencies. The childminder has commenced a means of measuring the settings effectiveness to drive forward improvements. This is currently being developed demonstrating that the setting has satisfactory capacity for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the record of the risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation). 28/11/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 use children's observations and assessments to identify learning priorities for their development towards the early learning goals  develop further strategies for working in partnership with other settings and other professionals in the community This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  use the processes of self-evaluation as the basis of ongoing internal review, assessing what the setting offers against robust and challenging quality criteria  have an up-to-date understanding the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and the guidance set out in the publication 'What to do if you are worried a child is being abused -Summary'.

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the early years provision

There are safeguarding arrangements in place for children as the childminder is aware of what would cause concern in respect of a child's care. However, she is not fully confident of local authority guidelines. All adults having contact or care of the children are vetted. Children's activities are appropriately supervised as they play and explore. They become aware of their own safety through explanations from the childminder. The risk assessments identify aspects of the environment that need to be monitored such as mobile radiators and the gas fire. However, the risk assessment does not document when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident which is a requirement. The premises are suitable and meet children's needs. Different rooms are used enabling children's diverse needs to be met and for them to engage in activities that they prefer. The childminder accesses training that enables her to meet legal

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the early years provision

requirements and takes advice from the local authority. Policies and procedures are mostly effective in protecting children's well-being.

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the early years provision

Children who have additional needs have appropriate care as the childminder knows how to adapt her activities and use additional strategies. There are a range of resources and toys that give positive representation of other cultures and disability helping children to embrace the differences in their community. However, the partnership with other settings, professionals and groups in the community is not fully developed. The childminder has commenced a system of assessing the setting's effectiveness by consulting with children and their parents using discussion and questionnaires. This process, however, is being developed and as such does not fully inform and provide the drive for further improvement. There is a satisfactory relationship between parents and the childminder. Children are able to settle according to their individual needs when they commence at the setting and parents and children are warmly greeted into the setting as they arrive.

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the early years provision

Regular discussions between the childminder and parents regarding their child's progress and their daily routines promote their continuity of care.

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and outcomes for children

Children make satisfactory progress as they are cared for by a warm and considerate childminder. They develop trusting relationships with her and other This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children which promotes their feelings of safety. This means children approach the childminder for support and forge friendships with other children who attend the setting contributing towards their skills for the future. Documentation that records children's progress and learning in the setting is developing and includes children's work and annotated photographs. Observations are recorded and matched to areas of learning. However, these do not identify the next steps in children's development in order to plan for their ongoing development towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a range of activities and are able to use child sized tables and chairs to eat their meals and snacks and enjoy drawing and craft activities. Older children are considerate of the needs of younger children as they join in their play and show them how to operate toys. Friendships are forming with the older children who recognise their play is improved as they include each other.

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and outcomes for children

Children eat their snacks and meals with each other chatting and sharing aspects of their day with each other. There are appropriate storage arrangements in place for children's lunch boxes that are brought from home. Additional nutritious snacks are available for children that include fruit and yoghurts. Children have sufficient to drink throughout the day which means they are suitably hydrated. They develop their communication skills as they create stories using small world toys as props to illustrate their creative ideas and thoughts. The childminder extends their confidence by asking questions and making suggestions extending children's learning. Younger children sleep in safety during the day using either a travel cot or a pushchair while the childminder monitors them.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning how to recognise numbers as they use number shaped blocks during their play. They count for a purpose as their play develops recognizing the order of the numbers. They explore the garden collecting autumn leaves and sticking these to paper to make a collage. They learn about the world around them as they explore the rear garden and visit the local areas. Older children use binoculars as they observe birds and other wildlife who use the rear garden. They develop understanding of how to keep themselves safe and healthy by washing their hands before eating and after using the toilet. Hygiene routines in respect of the rabbit that is housed indoors are appropriate. Activities that meet the needs of older children are suitable. Children learn about various areas of the body as they use a body map. Their technological skills are encouraged as children use a computer and older children use computer games.

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and outcomes for 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 3 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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