Childminder in Cornwall

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY269790 Inspection date 13/03/2012 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 registered in 2003. She lives with her partner in the coastal village of Sennen Cove, in Cornwall. Children use all areas of the childminder's home. A secure rear patio area is available for outdoor play activities. The childminder has a dog, two cats and cockatiel.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and of these, three may be in the early years age range. There is currently one child attending who is in the early years age group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Pre- school Learning Alliance. The childminder holds a Level 4 National Vocational Qualification. She also works in a local pre-school.

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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 demonstrates a very good knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has established positive relationships with children and parents; and meets the individual needs of children very well. The childminder offers enjoyable activities based upon children's particular interests and has implemented very effective systems for assessment, in order to maintain a progressive cycle of learning. She liaises successfully with other providers to maintain shared care and learning. The childminder regularly reflects upon her practice and demonstrates a good capacity to improve, but has not yet implemented systems to monitor and evaluate the improvements made.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop extensive systems for monitoring and evaluating practice to further identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed good systems to help safeguard the children in her care. She uses a written risk assessment to minimise any potential hazards and completes daily visual checks of the premises, toys and equipment. Children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 benefit from a welcoming, comfortable and secure environment, which means that they feel safe in the childminder's care. The childminder supervises children closely and protects them from unvetted persons. She monitors visitors to the premises and keeps a record of their visit. The childminder demonstrates a secure understanding of the local safeguarding procedures and is confident to follow these in the event of a child protection concern. The childminder promotes children's understanding of maintaining their own safety and of the positive impact of healthy eating, physical exercise, fresh air and good hygiene practices on their

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the early years provision

The childminder regularly reflects on her practice to identify particular strengths and areas for future development. However, systems for self-evaluation are not extensively monitoring and evaluating progress to further improve outcomes for children. The childminder has recently completed early years training to a National Vocational Qualification Level 4. She demonstrates a high level of commitment to ongoing professional development, as she completes regular short courses through the local authority and is currently completing an Early Years Foundation Degree. The childminder organises her home well to provide a safe, comfortable and enabling indoor and outdoor environment. The daily routines meet the individual needs of the children attending. Children are able to move freely to access their favourite toys from a good selection, which the childminder has provided using her knowledge of their individual interests. As a result, children are develop high levels

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the early years provision

of self-confidence and are able to make independent choices.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from a good range of resources that promote a positive awareness and understanding of equality and diversity. They receive regular opportunities to explore and celebrate their own culture and beliefs and those of others. The childminder is respectful to the different ways in which children learn. Children benefit from opportunities for both adult-led and self-initiated activities. The childminder identifies and values children's uniqueness and provides an inclusive environment. The childminder has established good partnerships with parents and keeps them very well informed about their child's care, learning and development. She completes regular observations and assessments to support children in making progress. The childminder has developed positive links with other settings, to provide a shared approach to children's care and learning. Documentation is organised well and all the required consents are in place to support children's care.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good range of policies and procedures to share and agree appropriate practice with parents.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder positively promotes children's welfare, learning and development. Children have formed strong and trusting relationships with the childminder and other minded children. As a result, they are very happy and settled. The childminder meets children's care needs very well through highly effective daily routines. She also provides opportunities for children to make good levels of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 progress in their learning and development. The childminder supervises children appropriately and provides high levels of support and encouragement. Children enjoy the active involvement of the childminder in their self-chosen play activity. Her positive interaction enhances their enjoyment and increases opportunities for learning, as she makes suggestions for extending the range of resources and subtly introduces new vocabulary. The childminder promotes literacy skills very

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and outcomes for children

well through a range of enjoyable activities. For example, children write their name in the sand on the nearby beach with a large stick, make the letters of their name with pink play dough and play a game of 'rhyming words' while they make their Mothers Day card. They communicate very well with one another through their writing, reading, vocabulary and body language

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and outcomes for children

Children have good opportunities to enjoy and achieve. They help themselves to favourite toys and resources as and when they wish from the well-stocked toy cupboard. The childminder displays children's creative achievements along with their photograph. As a result, children have a strong sense of belonging. Children express themselves freely through collage, drawing, role-play and during use of a range of interesting materials. The childminder interacts and challenges children very skilfully through discussion, use of additional tools and materials and by offering plenty of praise and encouragement. They talk about different colours, textures and shapes. Children are rapidly increasing their future skills when completing complex jigsaw puzzles and building a train track. They enjoy regular opportunities to bake cakes, following the instructions to achieve the desired outcome. They observe the changes in smell, taste, texture and shape. The

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and outcomes for children

childminder successfully promotes children's curiosity and inquisitiveness by offering coloured water in which children can weigh, measure and test different objects to see if they will sink or float. Children are developing their use of technology when using the camera and playing their favourite music.

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and outcomes for children

Children make a positive contribution as they follow the good examples set by the childminder and are polite, kind and helpful to others. Children enthusiastically praise the work of others, share toys and resources and are mindful of the needs of the family pets. Children are keen to take responsibility for tidying away the toys after use. They show good levels of self-care and benefit from fresh air and physical exercise each day. They eat healthy and nutritious snacks in sufficient quantities for their individual needs. Children develop a good awareness of the importance of maintaining their own health and safety. They enjoy many opportunities for outdoor play and investigation during beach walks, when 'bug hunting' and while enjoying picnics in the countryside. Good opportunities are available for children to develop their awareness of and manage everyday risks. As a result, they are beginning to take responsibility for their own safety and that of

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and outcomes for children

others. Children regularly practise fire drills with the childminder and discuss road safety. They know about beach safety and benefit from regular visits to the Lifeboat Station, which is directly across from the childminder's home. 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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