Childminder in Cornwall

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY439813 Inspection date 13/06/2012 Inspector Anne-Marie Moyse

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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 2011. She lives with her husband and two children in the St Stephens area of Saltash, in Cornwall. They have four cats, a gerbil and a hamster. The property is accessible by a flight of steps. The whole of the premises is used for childminding, including an enclosed garden for outside play. 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 four children under the age of eight years, including two who may be in the early years age group. Currently she cares for four children who are all in the early years age range. She offers care from 7.30am to 6.30pm, all year round. The childminder walks to take and collect children from local pre-schools, nurseries and Brishop Cornish Primary school. She regularly attends the toddler groups, activities held by the local Children's Centre and libraries. She takes children on visits to the

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Description of the childminding

parks, aquariums and walks around the rural area.

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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

Children are happy and make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder plans and provides a broad range of appealing activities and experiences to motivate children's curiosity. Comprehensive policies and procedures underpin the childminder's highly effective practice which overall positively safeguards children's welfare. Generally, the childminder engages with parents very well to exchange information and meet each child's needs successfully. The childminder's positive attitude helps her to consider all aspects of her service to make thoughtful changes to target developments effectually. She demonstrates a good capacity to maintain continuous improvements.

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further?

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

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further?

 work in greater partnership with parents and others by regularly sharing each child's learning journals so they can celebrate children's achievements and contribute to agreeing the next steps in their learning  encourage young children and babies to drink frequently to promote their good health 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 is efficient and organises her provision very well to promote positive outcomes for children. She uses effective systems for documenting all aspects of children's needs and development. Detailed policies guide her practice and help her to meet all the welfare requirements to high standards. These are shared with parents to keep them informed on all her responsibilities. She clearly understands the procedures to follow if she has any concerns about a child's welfare. The childminder's thorough risk assessments are useful in identifying and minimising hazards to children both in the home and on outings. She supervises children closely to help keep them safe.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from accessing an enabling learning environment, where they can choose what to play with easily. Resources are of high quality, appeal to children's individual interests, and promote positive images of diversity in society. The childminder takes note of children's preferences and stages of development to provide suitable activities to extend their learning and curiosity. She makes good use of the outdoor environment to enhance children's experiences and help them to learn about their own local culture.

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the early years provision

The childminder's dedication and enthusiasm is shown in her commitment to meeting each child's needs as well as possible. She establishes strong communication channels with parents so that information is freely exchanged on the children through daily diaries and verbal chats. Parents are exceptionally pleased with the childminder, and the feedback they receive on their child's day and care routines. The childminder completes regular observations on the children. These are recorded in attractive and informative learning journals and helps inform planning. They show beautiful annotated photographs of children happily engaged in all sorts of play and learning. However, at present the childminder does not regularly encourage parents to contribute to these records to agree on how best to support children in their development. The childminder is fully aware of the benefits in promoting partnerships with other providers to foster a shared,

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the early years provision

consistent approach for the child. She is very willing and keen to do so when the need arises.

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the early years provision

The childminder carefully evaluates the service she provides, being flexible and accommodating to each family's specific needs. She has high expectations of herself, which provides her with the self-motivation to continually drive improvements.

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to thrive in this warm and nurturing environment. They receive plenty of comforting cuddles to promote their confidence and security. They have established strong bonds with the childminder and seek reassurance This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 from her in unfamiliar situations. Children behave well and are encouraged to share resources with each other. They visit other groups and activity centres where they meet and play with others, promoting their social skills. The childminder explains to the children why it is important to pick up the toys so they don't trip over them teaching them about safety.

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and outcomes for children

Children's good health is promoted through plenty of daily fresh air and exercise. Regular walks are extended with visits to the parks or adventures around the rural area. They experience the weather and the changes in the world around them, noticing how the trees move in the wind or watching the cat balance on the window ledge. Children sleep according to their individual routines, with the childminder vigilantly checking on them whilst asleep to monitor their safety. Parents provide healthy foods for meals and snacks, which are stored appropriately. Children eat together socially, developing good table manners and eating habits. Children's drinks are available but they are not left within easy reach or offered regularly enough to encourage them to drink frequently. The childminder provides a suitable role model in promoting positive hygiene routines to the children.

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and outcomes for children

Children's details, home routines and starting points are effectively recorded in useful documents clearly showing what children can do and their current interests. The childminder makes good use of this to plan worthwhile and appealing activities for the children, which helps them to progress. Children become fascinated with the cars and wheels toys. They have lots of time to try out new toys, ideas and resolve problems themselves. For example, they watch how cars slide down the tracks, and spend time testing out how the place them the right way around. They use their imagination as they use the toy vacuum cleaner, developing their balance and control as they push it around. The small ride-on extends their physical ability as they negotiate how to get on and off it, and start to push it with their feet independently. The childminder interacts with the children in all their play, providing encouragement and support for their emerging inquisitiveness. She

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and outcomes for children

verbalises children's actions and entices children to babble and reply to her conversations, helping their language development. They sit and read books together, feeling the various textures and look at the pictures. Songs, rhymes and musical instruments are a favourite with the children. They bounce and move to the beat of the music or shake and hit the various instruments on offer, listening to the different tones and sounds made. They make their own shakers, helping put beans and rice into plastic bottles and decorating them. Children are inquisitive and explore the range of resources on offer, delving into the large crates of appealing toys. They push buttons to play the music or show their interest at the flashing lights, repeating the action independently. 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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