Childminder in Cornwall

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY338155 Inspection date 01/03/2012 Inspector Jayne Pascoe

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and four-year- old son in St Austell, Cornwall. Children use all areas of the childminder's home. Toilet facilities are situated on the first floor. A secure rear garden is available for outdoor play activities. The family has two dogs and seven cats. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and of these, two 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. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and disabilities and English as an additional language. Children live locally and two attend other the early years settings. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. The childminder is a member of the Cornwall Childminding Association and National Childminding Association. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 knows children well and as a result, successfully meets their individual needs. She offers enjoyable activities based upon children's particular interests and is skilful in promoting children's learning and development. Therefore, children make good progress given their ability and starting points. The home environment is inclusive and welcoming. Most documentation to support good practice is in place. Partnerships with others are generally very effective. The childminder uses her self-evaluation well to target improvements where they will have the most impact on children, so her capacity for continuous improvement is good.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve further the two-way flow of information with other providers, to establish children's next steps for development and maintain shared learning keep a record of fire drills in a fire log book and detail any problems encountered and how they were resolved. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding procedures. She supervises children appropriately at all times and follows good procedures to protect them from unvetted persons. She monitors visitors to the premises closely. The childminder demonstrates confidence in her ability to follow local child protection procedures. She implements the written risk assessment effectively to promote children's safety and security at all times. Children regularly practise emergency evacuation procedures with the childminder, in order to develop their confidence and familiarity. However, the childminder does not keep a record for monitoring purposes. Good opportunities are available for children to develop their awareness of and manage everyday risks and as a result, they are beginning to take responsibility for their own safety and that of others. Good procedures are in place to promote healthy eating, cleanliness and physical development.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good level of commitment to maintaining continuous improvement in her practice and attends regular relevant early years training courses. She has taken appropriate action to address previously identified areas for improvement. The childminder has developed a good system for self- evaluation, which helps to identify appropriate areas for future development. As a result, she has recently started to use a new system for the assessment of children's progress. The childminder organises her home well to provide a safe, comfortable and enabling indoor and outdoor environment. Children move freely to access their favourite toys from a very wide selection, which the childminder has provided using her knowledge of each child's individual interests. Outdoors, the toys are freely accessible and attractively displayed. Children also benefit from a good range of resources that promote a positive awareness and respect of people's

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the early years provision

differences. They receive good opportunities to explore and celebrate their own culture and beliefs and those of others. The childminder has successfully introduced Makaton 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.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established very positive relationships with parents. Good systems are in place to share information regularly in order to agree good practice, establish children's individual needs and celebrate their achievements. Some children also attend other early years settings and although the childminder liaises successfully in order to maintain continuity of care, shared learning is not yet achieved across both provisions. Parental satisfaction at the consistently high standards maintained by the childminder is evident through their written and verbal feedback. They describe how their children thrive in her care and how well she supports their learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are very settled and happy in the care of the childminder. They have formed very positive and trusting relationships. Children enter the home enthusiastically and immediately find a favourite toy. They separate easily from their parent and are keen to engage the childminder in their chosen activity. The childminder and children maintain ongoing purposeful discussion. Children receive good opportunities to enjoy and achieve because of the good levels of interaction, encouragement and support provided by the childminder. They discuss the colour of the paints before mixing them together to see the results. The childminder rewards children's efforts with plenty of praise. She displays children's artistic achievements on the wall for all to value and admire. Children are rapidly developing their future skills. They are confident to verbally express their needs and make a positive contribution as they suggest ideas for play. Children benefit

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and outcomes for children

from free access to a wide range of books for personal enjoyment and with which to promote specific areas of learning. Children are competent in their ability to mark-make with the paintbrush to create circular patterns, which show the beginnings of letter formation.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing an ability to problem solve and identify colours, shapes and different sizes, as they thread buttons and cotton reels onto coloured laces. They count toys and are able to follow directions as they play with the toy cars. Children are beginning to show an awareness of 'left' and 'right'. They enjoy regular opportunities to cook with the childminder, during which they weigh and measure the ingredients they need. The childminder is skilful in her ability to promote their curiosity as they observe changes in colour, texture, taste and smell during this activity. Children are confident and competent in their use of programmable and interactive toys. They benefit from visits to local places of interest as they walk in the woods, play in the park and visit the toy library and local family centre. Shared outings to the local swimming pool strengthen home links. Children's uniqueness is valued and they are encouraged to develop their

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and outcomes for children

awareness of equality and diversity through planned activities and free use of appropriate toys, puzzles and books. As a result, children have a respect of people's differences.

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and outcomes for children

Children are creative when painting and using play-dough. They make collages with natural materials such as leaves, twigs and pinecones collected on their woodland walks. The childminder prominently displays children's photographs on the lounge wall and provides a designated place in the home to keep their belongings. As a result, children demonstrate a strong sense of belonging. They take responsibility for tidying away toys after use. Children follow the childminder's example as they display good manners and are helpful and kind. Children are developing a good awareness of maintaining their own safety and that of others. They are learning about road safety and managing everyday hazards when indoors and out. Because of these good practices and the attentiveness of the childminder, children feel safe and secure. Children benefit from daily opportunities for outdoor play and exploration in the garden, local park and during walks in the countryside.

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and outcomes for children

They enjoy healthy snacks, meals, and drinks throughout the day. The childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 provides appropriate areas for children to rest and sleep. Children's physical skills are improving, as they are currently developing their ability to ride a bike and are making steady progress. Overall, children are making good progress in all areas of learning. 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 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 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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