Childminder in Plymouth

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 18/06/2014 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 has a capacity and drive towards improving her practice for the children and families in her care.  The environment is welcoming and well organised, with age appropriate resources and activities, which encourage the children to play and develop.  The childminder has a good knowledge of child development and forms caring bonds with children in her care. This enables them to make good progress.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The childminder has not yet fully developed ways of including parental contributions to children's developmental records.  Children are not encouraged to help prepare their own snacks, and pour their own drinks to encourage independence.

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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

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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.

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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 viewed all areas used by children.  The inspector observed activities indoors and outside.  The inspector spoke to the childminder at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector sampled appropriate documentation.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 2013. She lives with her husband and two children in Plymouth, Devon. The whole of the house is used for childminding purposes. It is within walking distance of parks, shops and the local children's centre. The childminder has qualified teacher status and is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are two children on roll in the early years age group.

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

 develop further, ways of including parent's contributions in children's developmental records

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

 provide further opportunities for children to develop independence at meal times.

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who attend

The childminder plans age appropriate activities according to the interests of the children, and ensures that all areas of learning are covered through effective planning. She links areas of learning together to ensure that children are eager to learn. For example, following a visit to the aquarium, children look at books to find out about different kinds of fish and then make drawings and paintings. The childminder ensures that learning has meaning by encouraging children to notice and explore what is happening in the world around them. For example, they enjoy exploring plants and leaves as the seasons change so children develop understanding about nature.

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who attend

The childminder has a good understanding of child development and how children learn. She interacts well with children during activities, extending skills in various areas of learning. For example, she is skilled in using strategies for developing language, by playing with children on the floor, at their level, and repeating their attempts at words and sentences, praising them as they say new words. As a result, children develop skills in communication and language, which supports them in all areas of learning.

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who attend

The childminder also takes children out to the aquarium, local library and to the park, ensuring that they find out about the world around them. The garden is well organised and full of resources, which encourage physical development, such as bikes, cars, sand and water. This ensures that children also develop small muscles, which will support them as they begin to draw and write. There is also a communal green, which the childminder uses with the children for ball games and running and climbing.

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who attend

The childminder makes careful observations, which are linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage, and which identify next steps for development for children. The observations are recorded, alongside photographs, in learning journals, which she is just developing. As children's journals are in the early stages of development, the childminder has not yet developed ways of including parental contributions, although she keeps parents informed of children's progress through discussion at the end of each day.

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

The childminder is calm and reassuring and consequently children are happy and content in her care. She praises them as they play, which enables them to become confident and eager learners. The childminder has organised resources so that they are accessible to children, enabling them to develop independence. For example, they find their own coat pegs as they arrive and hang up their coats. This effectively helps children to begin to develop skills, which will help them move on to pre-school. The childminder takes children to groups at the local children's centre, which enables them to socialise with other children. Consequently, children gain social and emotional skills, which supports their learning and development.

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

The childminder manages children's behavior well and acts as a good role model. She encourages them to think about how their actions may affect others and supports them skillfully as they begin to manage their feelings. She plans activities which involve children cooperating and taking turns, For example, as they play with a tea set, the childminder encourages them to take turns with the teapot, and pour tea for each other. She has a good understanding of how children develop emotionally at different stages and supports them sensitively.

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

The environment is welcoming and well organised, with a good range of age appropriate resources. There is a comfortable, quiet area for looking at books and the childminder operates a lending book scheme so that children can borrow a favourite book. This provides a good link with parents and ensures a shared approach to learning and development. It also enhances the children's development in communication and language.

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

The childminder ensures that the environment is safe for children to explore by regularly assessing risk. She has put appropriate measures in place to ensure children are safe from harm. For example, locks are in place on drawers and cupboards and stair gates are fitted at the top and bottom of the stairs.

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

The childminder provides healthy meals and snacks, which children enjoy and which promote a healthy lifestyle. However, she does not encourage children to prepare their own snacks and pour their own drinks, and this reduces opportunities for children to develop independence. The childminder supports children and families well when they first attend, working with parents to ensure that they settle happily. She encourages parents to visit and to stay as long as necessary. Children are well prepared for pre-school and the next steps in their learning.

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the requirements for the Early Years Foundation Stage. She understands the importance of careful and targeted planning and assessment that ensures children's individual needs are met.

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provision

The childminder understands her responsibilities for keeping children safe and the safeguarding and welfare requirements are fully met. She is well organised and has clear and effective policies and procedures in place, which she shares with parents.

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provision

The childminder is very reflective of her practice and demonstrates a clear commitment to develop further and improve. She undertakes online training courses in early education and is enthusiastic about attending ongoing training, which will help her to support children in their learning and development. The childminder has become a member of a childminding agency, and attends meetings with other childminders to further develop her practice.

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provision

The childminder has good relationships with parents and she keeps them informed about their child's progress and achievements. She gathers information from them about their children when they start and she is beginning to develop learning journals. However, at present, there is no system in place for parents to contribute to their child's ongoing developmental records. The childminder has an enthusiastic approach to develop the service she provides for parents and the children in her 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 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

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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.

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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 EY468556 Local authority Plymouth Inspection number 949818 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 2

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection not applicable

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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.

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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, which are usually the childminder’s 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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