Childminder in Cornwall

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY430378 Inspection date 19/12/2011 Inspector Jayne Pascoe

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2011. She works from the home of her parents, in the village of Mullion, near Helston, Cornwall. All areas of the home are used for childminding and there is a designated playroom. An enclosed rear garden area is available for outdoor play activities. When working alone the childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of these three may be in the early years age group. When working with an assistant she may care for a maximum of six children under eight years, of these five may be in the early years age group. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently nine children attending in the early years age group.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates an excellent knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She works very positively in partnership with parents, other providers and professionals. As a result of these extremely good relationships, she meets children's individual needs exceptionally well. In general, she uses highly effective systems for assessment to maintain a progressive cycle of learning for children. The childminder is extremely successful in her ability to self-evaluate and demonstrates an excellent capacity to maintain continuous improvement in her practice.

p.4

further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

p.4

further?

 extending observational assessment to further inform planning, for each child's continuing development, through play-based activities.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder follows exceptionally robust procedures to safeguard children. She reviews and updates comprehensive written risk assessments, regularly and as required, using them very effectively to promote children's safety and security at all times. Children are actively involved in practising emergency evacuation procedures with the childminder, in order to develop their confidence and familiarity with them. Opportunities for children to develop their awareness of, and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 manage everyday risks are exemplary. Children significantly benefit from appropriate levels of supervision at all times and the childminder protects them from unvetted persons. The childminder closely monitors visitors to the premises and keeps a record of their visit. The childminder demonstrates a great deal of confidence in her ability to follow local safeguarding procedures if concerned about

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder is highly successful in promoting children's welfare, learning and development. She knows children and their families exceptionally well and fully understands the importance of liaising closely with parents, in order to successfully identify and meet children's specific needs. The childminder has introduced signing as an additional form of communication. As a result, all children, in particular younger children who have not yet developed their language skills, are fully included as they are able to express their specific needs and communicate freely with others. Children enthusiastically learn to celebrate and value cultural differences because the childminder actively promotes opportunities to explore equality and diversity. Children benefit from an excellent range of toys, books and visual aids which increase their positive awareness of people's differences. For example, a poster depicting greetings in a variety of different languages is

p.5

the early years provision

displayed prominently for reference in the playroom.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder organises her home exceptionally well to provide a safe, comfortable and enabling indoor and outdoor environment. A newly refurbished playroom offers children an extremely bright, welcoming and comfortable area in which to play and learn and they are able to access the secure, enclosed garden directly from the playroom. Children move freely to choose their favourite toys from an extensive selection, which the childminder has provided using her knowledge of each child's individual interests. The childminder has established extremely positive relationships with parents and other providers. Excellent systems are in place to share information and to significantly promote shared care and learning. The childminder has introduced individual learning journeys, which contain extremely good examples of children's work, written observations and photographs. She systematically shares these with parents in order to celebrate

p.5

the early years provision

children's achievements and identify agreed next steps for their learning and development. The childminder confidently plans activities to promote individual learning. Her methods for linking children's next steps, directly to the weekly planning, is a point for consideration, in order to enhance their learning even further.

p.5

the early years provision

Parental satisfaction with the consistently high standards maintained by the childminder is evident through their written feedback. They are delighted with the homely, welcoming, child-centred environment she provides. They positively describe how the childminder has successfully accommodated their needs. The childminder demonstrates an extremely high level of commitment to driving continuous improvement in her practice. She is well qualified, experienced and attends relevant early years training courses on a very regular basis to continually extend her professional skills and knowledge. The childminder successfully implements an effective system for monitoring and evaluating her practice. Consequently she demonstrates an exceptional ability to drive future improvement. For example, she has recently completed safeguarding and food hygiene courses This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

the early years provision

and plans to extend opportunities for children's learning further, by increasing the range of heuristic resources to enhance children's exploration and investigation skills.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children form exceptionally strong and trusting relationships with the childminder and her family. As a result, they are extremely happy, settled and are thriving. They have their own coat peg and the childminder displays their work prominently on the playroom walls to show their efforts are highly valued. The outdoor area, playroom, toilet facilities, toys and resources are freely accessible. As a result, children demonstrate extremely high levels of independence and have a very strong sense of belonging. Highly effective daily routines support children's welfare needs extremely well. The childminder appropriately supervises children at all times. She interacts very skilfully to provide exceptional levels of support, encouragement and challenge. Children benefit from exceptionally good opportunities to enjoy and achieve. The active involvement of the childminder in their self-chosen play activities significantly enhances their enjoyment and

p.6

and outcomes for children

opportunities for learning. Children enjoy copying the childminder's example when playing the drum, to make sounds and rhythms. They build and construct with blocks and then extend their use of these resources by banging them together to make more patterns of sound. Children are rapidly developing their emerging vocabulary as they play with toy animals. They follow the example of the childminder to successfully repeat the name of the animal they are holding. Children are competently developing their numeracy skills as they attempt to count drumbeats. Children delight in exploring sensory play with 'gloop' with close adult support, as the texture is relatively new to them. The childminder is very sensitive to their needs and encourages and supports them exceptionally well. Children select favourite toy cars and move them along the floor, making the engine sounds to enhance their enjoyment further. The childminder offers high levels of praise

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children benefit from an exceptionally safe and secure environment. The childminder fully explains the importance of moving safely indoors and outdoors. She also teaches them how to handle tools and equipment appropriately and about managing everyday risks. Children are developing an excellent awareness of 'stranger danger' and road safety. Therefore they feel extremely safe during their time with the childminder. The childminder actively promotes children's good health; she provides excellent opportunities for them to develop healthy eating habits and to follow exceptionally effective health and hygiene procedures. Her dedication and prompt attention means she is able to consistently support children's individual care requirements,. Children greatly benefit from opportunities to enjoy fresh air and physical exercise each day. They play in the garden, at the park and during walks in the local countryside. They also develop their physical

p.6

and outcomes for children

skills during regular visits to the gym club. As a result of these exceptionally good practices, children are developing an excellent awareness of the importance of being healthy. Children communicate very effectively through facial expression, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 body language, emerging vocabulary and signing. They are highly skilful in their use of programmable and interactive toys and computer equipment. As a result, they are rapidly developing their future skills. Children make a very positive contribution. They take an active role in local community events such as social events, 'learning together' sessions at school, Children's Centre activities and local fund raising events. Excellent partnerships with the school also help to support a smooth transition for children into school life. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.8

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

p.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.8

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 1

p.8

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

p.8

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9