Childminder in Plymouth

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 31/10/2012 Not Applicable

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: Not Applicable How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 2 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 2

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This provision is good

 The childminder uses her wealth of knowledge, experience and documentation to promote each child's learning and development to good effect.  Children are content, relaxed and secure in the childminder's care.  The childminder provides a range of interesting activities that engage children's interest to explore and further promote the learning and development.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 Initial information gathering has limited detail in relation to identifying children's current stage of development at home.

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Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are scheduled:  at least once in every inspection cycle. The current cycle ends on 31 July 2016  more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged as inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage; or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised for inspection where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at the childminder's submitted Self Evaluation Form .  The inspector conducted observations in the lounge and kitchen areas.  The inspector viewed areas children had access to.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector viewed a range of documentation including policies, 'scrap books', registration certificate, first aid certificate, and insurance.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 2012 and calls her childminding business 'Building Blocks Childcare'. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare register. She lives in Plymouth, Devon, with her husband and their two children, aged 12 months and 13 years. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding. Children have access to an enclosed back garden. The family pets include a dog, a cat, a rabbit and goldfish. The childminder has a degree in Early Childhood Studies and has Early Years Professional status. She attends various groups, such as children's centre, toddler group. She collects children from local school. The childminder currently has seven children on roll. Four are in the early years age group, and three are school-age children who attend before and after school and during school holidays. The childminder is open all year round from 7.30am to

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Information about the setting

6pm, Monday to Friday, apart from bank holidays and family holidays agreed in advance.

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 Strengthen the partnership with parents to increase the information gathered in relation to children's starting points to aid planning opportunities to develop children's progress fully.

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who attend

The childminder has a wealth of childcare experience and uses her knowledge of child development to encourage children's development to good effect. Children make good progress given their age and developmental stage. The childminder uses her own observations to indentify next steps, referencing Development Matters for each individual child. From her observations and evaluation of her planning, the childminder organises activities suitable for each child's learning and stage of development. The childminder obtains additional information from parents about their child; however, these details are mainly about individual children's routines and care plans.

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who attend

The activities planned are well organised, engaging and provide appropriate challenges for all the children. For example, when baking, older children learn that recipe books provide us with information and younger children use resources as they watch the others measure out ingredients, or mix. The childminder effectively promotes children's personal, social and emotional development, be it from calming a baby when becoming upset to praising and acknowledging achievements, no matter how small. For example, she acknowledges younger children's accomplishments as they use their hands to hit the drum. The childminder responds to babbles children make, and mimics their sounds. She is also using baby sign to further encourage communication skills. The childminder ensures she remains close by to very young babies, providing a sense of security and familiarity through touch, smiling, chatter and a calming reassuring voice. Young children

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who attend

begin to explore as they develop their independent skills, for example, from learning to crawl and pulling themselves up. Children are interested in the activities and toys provided and are consistently engaged in fun play. For example, younger children enjoy exploring the treasure basket, removing and replacing the interesting items.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children are secure and confident in the childminder's care. The childminder is responsive to each child's needs, providing the security of a cuddle as babies quickly fall asleep. Sleeping children are regularly checked and remain within the watchful eye of the childminder. Younger children have formed a strong bond with the childminder. They seek cuddles and sit on the childminder's lap as they look at and share books together. Younger children look for the childminder when she disappears from their immediate vision. She uses her voice to reassure them she is close by. All of which demonstrates how children feel safe and secure in the childminder's home. The room is well organised to allow children to easily move around, be it walking unaided, crawling or holding onto low level furniture to aid their individual physical development. Children have access to a good range of resources some of which are readily accessible to promote children's choice in

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

play. This is supported by the childminder adding additional resources to extend children's inquisitiveness and exploration as they play. For example, through using treasure baskets the childminder stimulates children's interest as they play with beaded necklaces, crumpling them up and listening to the sounds they made. Children from a young age are encouraged to share. The childminder encourages children's independence as they tuck into finger food snacks and use suitable utensils to feed themselves. Through the childminder's good hygiene practices, children learn by example and gain a wider understanding of the need to maintain hygienic routines. Children learn about keeping themselves and each other safe during play. For example, the childminder reminds older children how to hold scissors safely and to keep them away from the younger children. The recent purchase of a pet rabbit widens children's awareness of caring for others.

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provision

The childminder uses her wealth of knowledge gained through working in childcare provisions as a good basis for her childminding practices. As a result she is organised and has developed a comprehensive range of policies and procedures which underpin her practice. Systems are in place to maintain records, such as parental consents, complaints, administering of medication or accidents. Records show the childminder undertakes weekly checks on the fire equipment within her home. The childminder evaluates the fire drills conducted with the children to aid smoother and safer evacuations. For example, the childminder has introduced a 'fire bag' kept close to the exit door, which has some basic resources such as reins, spare nappies and comforters. The latter providing additional security for the younger children in potentially stressful emergency situations. Since registration, the childminder has attended courses to update her practices, such as

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provision

renewing her paediatric first aid qualification, implementing the revised Early Years Foundation Stage and safeguarding. As a result, the childminder demonstrates a sound knowledge in her responsibility should she have a concern about a child in her care. The childminder reflects on her practice highlighting strengths and areas for future development. Such as, improving her garden to enable all age groups to safely play and gain further benefit from exploring the outdoor environment. Until this is achievable, the childminder regularly takes children out on walks, to various parks, and local attractions. The sharing of information provides the childminder with clear information of home routines and enables her to continue these practices whilst the children are in her care. This aids consistency and ensuring the needs of the children remain met. The use of daily diaries and verbal communication further enhances this two-way process. Parents are

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provision

invited to share in their child's scrap books. Parents state they are very happy with their child's care and how supportive the childminder is. The childminder has established links and effectively works with other early years professionals to support, meet children's individual needs and maintain consistency in their care.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are Met The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are Met

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Satisfactory Satisfactory provision is performing less well than expectations in one or more of the key areas. It requires improvement in order to be good. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be inspected again within 12 months of the date of this inspection.

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Grade Judgement Description

Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

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Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY444888 Local authority Plymouth Inspection number 796470 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 5 Number of children on roll 7

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

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Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

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Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises that are usually their own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. 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,

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Type of provision

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, 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. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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