Childminder in Cornwall

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 27/02/2014 12/01/2011

p.1

early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 2 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

p.1

This provision is good

 Effective assessments systems enable the childminder to monitor and evaluate her educational programme.  Warm relationships the childminder develops with children leads to them being secure and confident in her company.  The childminder responds to feedback from parents indicating her commitment to improvement.  The childminder establishes effective links and communication with other providers to support children's continuity of care and learning.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because

 Systems do not encourage involvement and contributions, from all parents, to their children's learning and progress.

p.1

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

p.2

Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged 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 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  scheduled at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.2

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.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of parents and carers views included in the settings own parent survey.  The inspector observed activities both indoors and in the outdoor play area.  The inspector held discussions with the childminders.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector checked documents relating to the suitability and qualifications of childminders and household.  The inspector sampled documentation regarding planning and children's progress.

p.2

Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 2003. She lives with her husband who also works as an assistant and their two daughters, one attends secondary school and the eldest works as a co-minder. They live in the village of Mount Hawke near Truro, Cornwall. The whole of the ground floor and a rear bedroom and bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has numerous animals; these include rabbits, cats, dogs and miniature ponies along with numerous aviary birds and chickens along with goldfish and tropical fish. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Currently the childminder has 10 children on roll who are in the early years age range. As an accredited minder, she also receives nursery education funding for some two year olds in addition to three and four year olds. The childminder walks to the

p.3

Information about the setting

local school and has use of a car. She takes children to the local park and libraries. The childminder is a member of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years.

p.3

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

 develop practice further to encourage involvement and contributions from all parents to their children 's learning and progress.

p.3

who attend

The quality of the educational programme is good. Using records of observations and some information from parents, children's starting points are soon established. This information enables the childminder to produce regular, clear summaries, including informative progress summaries for children who are aged two years old. These enable her and parents to track children's progress over time through all areas of learning. Parents praise the progress their children make with the childminder and that their children enjoy their time here. However, the childminder does not encourage parental involvement in assessing and planning for their children's progress by asking them for specific information about children's levels of development, or seeking their views about their next steps.

p.3

who attend

The assessments enable the childminder to identify children's next steps and provide activities to support their progress. The childminder has established partnerships with other providers, including the local pre-school and primary school, to provide continuity of care and learning for children. Young children develop their balance and physical skills as the childminder encourages them to stand up to a low level table to play with small world toys. She encourages them to walk between furniture and older children enjoy climbing the steps to use their slide in the back garden. The childminder raises children's awareness of their and other cultures as they talk about different cultural celebrations.

p.3

who attend

The childminder encourages young children to explore and experiment with a wide variety of musical instruments. She carefully shows and explains the difference that is made to the sound by holding a musical triangle by it's string. Older children attend to her with interest and enjoy playing the instrument themselves. The childminder uses animal finger puppets to encourage young children to talk about their knowledge of the animals depicted and the noises that they make. She extends the activity by suggesting that children create pens for the animals with construction toys. Outings to the local library and the wide range of books accessible in her home encourage children's interest in books and reading. Outdoors, children show their knowledge of the world around them. They develop their imaginations as they dress up in safety hats and high visibility jackets, and use toy tools to build and mend things as builders together.

p.4

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

Children are confident and relaxed in the childminder's home because she builds warm and caring relationships with them. Regular outdoor activities give children the opportunity and space for energetic play. Children become familiar with the locality and benefit from fresh air when the childminder takes them on walks to the village. This also enables young children to relax and fall soundly asleep in their pushchair. On their return the childminder makes regular checks on sleeping children to ensure their safety. The childminder's annual risk assessment and regular safety checks enable her to keep children safe when in her care. Her first aid training gives her with the knowledge she needs to deal with any accidents or injuries. Because they participate in regular fire drills, children learn what to do in the event of fire. Children behave well because the childminder reminds them of the need to share resources and keeps children happily engaged in activities which interest

p.4

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

The childminder ensures that children always have easy access to drinking water. She stores meals provided by parents safely. Children begin to learn about where foods come from through discussions and their observations of the childminder's chickens laying eggs. The childminder supports children's growing independence as she encourages them to dress in role play outfits and feed themselves at mealtimes. She sensitively supports and praises children as they take themselves to the toilet. Children learn the importance of good hygiene practices because the childminder reminds them of when and why hand washing is important. Children learn about difference and diversity because the childminder provides a wide range of books, dolls and small world people depicting people with different skin colours, different cultures and with disabilities. Children's developing communication skills, self confidence and independence equip them with skills that they

p.4

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

need for their future moves to pre-school and school.

p.4

provision

The childminder has a secure understanding of her responsibilities in meeting the safeguarding requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has updated her safeguarding training and has a good knowledge and understanding of child protection issues, and of the signs and symptoms of child abuse. The childminder's safeguarding policies detail the procedures to follow and include relevant, contact numbers. The childminder takes effective steps to make her home safe and risk assessments show how she keeps children safe when on outings. The childminder meets welfare requirements effectively. Her documentation, policies and procedures promote children's welfare, meet requirements and are readily available to parents. The childminder and parents share information about children's activities, routines and progress well overall, in discussion, on line and through daily diaries on request.

p.5

provision

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities to meet the learning and development requirements. Using observation records which link to a developmental framework, the childminder is able to monitor children's progress and identify their next steps. She provides a wide range of resources and activities to promote children's progress and learning across all areas of learning. The childminder establishes and maintains links with the local pre-school and school and works in partnership with other professionals to meet children 's needs and provide a consistent approach to their learning and care.

p.5

provision

The childminder has taken effective steps to address the recommendations made at her previous inspection. The assessment system now enables her to track and monitor children's progress and she has developed her partnerships with other providers to provide continuity of care and learning. She works effectively with her co-minder and is responsive to feedback from parents, demonstrating her capacity for continuous improvement.

p.5

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

p.5

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 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected within twelve months of the date of this inspection. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement action. 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

p.6

Grade Judgement Description

the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. 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.

p.6

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.

p.7

Setting details

Unique reference number EY272110 Local authority Cornwall Inspection number 833384 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 10

p.7

Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: 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.

p.7

Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

p.7

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.

p.7

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.

p.7

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, which are usually the childminder’s own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.8

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,

p.8

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’.

p.9

Type of provision

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

p.9