Childminder in Cornwall

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY417198 Inspection date 27/10/2011 Inspector Patricia Webb

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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 2010. She lives with her partner, who acts at times as an assistant, and her children aged 15, 10 and two years old in the Newton area of Hyde. The ground floor of the home is used for childminding. Bathroom facilities are upstairs. The family has a rabbit and a guinea pig as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time, no more than two of whom may be in the early years age range. There are currently three children on roll, one of whom is in the early years age group. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and goes to several toddler groups regularly.

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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

The childminder has made a sound start to her practice, being enthusiastic and caring in her approach. Children are making sound progress in their development and learning as the childminder develops her knowledge and skills. She is keen to improve her practice, although the systems for evaluating the impact of her practice are in their infancy. This results in inconsistencies in the provision for some areas of learning. The childminder shows a determination to continue to develop her skills, working towards a formal early years qualification in order to improve the quality of her practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the process of self-evaluation to clearly identify strengths and prioritise areas for further development to improve quality for all children  increase the opportunities for children to develop problem-solving and reasoning skills in their everyday activities.

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the early years provision

The childminder has made a sound start to her practice. In particular, her knowledge and understanding of her roles and responsibilities in safeguarding children is firmly embedded. She has thorough policies and procedures that are shared effectively with parents. Therefore, parents are fully assured of her commitment to act in a child's best interest at all times with regard to child This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 protection concerns. Children's safety is further assured as all adults in the home have undergone rigorous vetting to ensure their suitability. The childminder is fully aware of the requirements for working with an assistant. For example, she ensures that the assistant is not left in sole charge at present as he does not yet hold a valid first-aid certificate. Thorough and detailed risk assessments are conducted to ensure children are safe both on and off the premises. These include simple, but

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the early years provision

very effective, systems for noting any issues which may arise when out and about.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a calm, gentle approach to interacting with the children, reassuring the younger ones when other adults are present. The partnerships with parents are effective and based on mutual trust. All of the detailed policies and procedures are shared with each parent, and they sign to acknowledge that all aspects of the care and routines have been discussed in detail. Parents express their satisfaction with the care she offers in testimonials and by completing questionnaires. The childminder also fosters strong partnerships with other settings that young children attend to promote a consistent approach to their early education and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder has started to consider the process of evaluating the impact her practice has on improving outcomes for children. However, this is not currently sufficiently reflective to prioritise key areas for further development. Some aspects of the areas of learning are given more attention that others, as she records observations of children's progress and assesses their attainment. For example, while children become familiar with numbers and concepts, such as weight and volume, the areas of problem-solving and reasoning are not so clearly recorded. She takes pride in her commitment to offering children a home-from-home environment, where they can share their feelings and interests because she takes time to listen to them. She is keen to improve her skills and knowledge and is undertaking formal training to gain a recognised childcare qualification. Children choose freely from a variety of suitable resources and activities, and thought has

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the early years provision

been given to how these are stored. For example, baby toys are located in the floor-level cupboards of the storage unit, and the doors are mirrored so that babies can crawl to get their toys and become aware of themselves in the reflections. Children are developing their awareness of differences in society by visiting various venues in the area; they celebrate different cultural festivals and have access to some positive images of diversity in the resources. The childminder does not have experience of caring for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, although she is aware of the use of some systems for promoting inclusive practice.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a sound knowledge of the learning and development and welfare requirements. She is developing a simple but effective system for recording children's progress, although the area of problem solving and reasoning lacks detail. She takes time to sit with children themselves, when age-appropriate, to discuss the 'all about me' information. This helps to set a base-line assessment of what children can do when they start attending her setting. This process also helps children to feel that their needs are identified as they recall their favourite This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 toys and activities and speak about things that scare them such as the dark and rain.

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and outcomes for children

Children excitedly prepared their papier mach 'ghosts and ghouls' in preparation for the forthcoming Halloween party. They were reminded gently by the childminder about clearing away the gluing activity before starting to work with the play dough. They are developing a sound sense of belonging as they settle and begin to form firm friendships with the childminder and members of her family. Their efforts and achievements are acknowledged by the childminder, and they understand the need for boundaries to their behaviour. The children are becoming aware of diversity in their world and they select resources that depict positive images of different cultures and abilities. Various languages are included in posters to welcome children from a range of family backgrounds.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and well-being are well promoted. Children know why they need to wash their hands to keep healthy and enjoy regular activities outdoors, getting plenty of fresh air and exercise. They wait in anticipation for the activity of going hill walking, preparing to don their wellington boots and trudge though the mud. They understand the expectations of their behaviour and show a good awareness of keeping safe. They participate in regular fire drills, show a full understanding of road safety and use tools and utensils with increasing skill and care. They are also learning about healthy eating as they make their own pizzas, bread and cakes. Such activities are used effectively by the childminder to raise children's awareness of having balanced and nutritious meals and snacks. 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 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 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 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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