Childminder in Plymouth

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 27/11/2014 27/04/2009

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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

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This provision is good

 The childminder has a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She understands how children learn, which means that the quality of teaching is consistently strong and children make good progress.  The childminder forms strong bonds and close relationships with children and families, supporting them well.  The childminder has a positive and sensitive approach to supporting children to manage their feelings. This means they develop good social skills and are ready for future learning.  The childminder is committed to developing her skills and knowledge of child development, ensuring that she provides a good service for the children in her care.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The childminder does not fully promote children's independence by involving them more in the preparation of snack time and pouring their drinks when they are thirsty.  Creative resources are not freely available to children so that they can follow their own ideas in play.

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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 observed children engaged in activities with the childminder.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector sampled documentation, including children's records and policies and procedures.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke to the childminder at different times, taking into account the children's needs.  The inspector took account of parent's views.

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Information about the setting

The childminder lives in a four bed-roomed semi-detached house in the Hooe area of Plymouth. She shares the house with her husband and two children. The family have a pet dog. The house is situated in easy reach of schools, parks and other local amenities, including a beach. Children have use of a living area and kitchen for eating and craft activities. Children have access to a playroom in and. there is an enclosed garden to the rear of the property for outside play. The childminder was registered in April 2008 and is registered on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is currently working towards a Foundation Degree. There are currently five children on roll.

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

 extend opportunities for children to become more independent, for example, at snack time and pouring their own drinks when they are thirsty

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

 make creative resources more easily accessible to children, so they can follow their own ideas imaginatively.

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who attend

Children make good progress in their learning and development because the childminder plans a range of activities that meet their individual needs and interests. She develops close and caring relationships with children and is always nearby so they can sit on her lap or enjoy a cuddle. This means they feel secure in her care and develop the confidence to explore the activities on offer. The childminder has a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how children learn. She interacts with children well, developing their skills and learning. For example, as children played with a tea set, she used plates to support them with counting and simple addition and subtraction in meaningful situations. As a result, children develop good mathematical skills as they play.

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who attend

The childminder uses very effective teaching techniques, which capture children's imaginations and motivate them to learn. For example, children were captivated when she encouraged them to imagine what might be inside a box, and they were delighted when a bird's nest was revealed. She talked to them about being careful as they handled the nest, and skilfully encouraged them to talk about the feathers. This approach develops children's curiosity and understanding of nature, as well as enhancing their social and communication skills as they listen to others and share their thoughts and ideas.

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who attend

Children make links in their learning because the childminder plans according to their interest and needs. For example, children had been looking at birds through binoculars, and this had led to craft activities and sharing stories about birds. As they listened to a story, the childminder skilfully encouraged children to think about the birds they had seen. They talked about how their wings helped them to fly. As a result, children develop a keen interest in books, good literacy skills and become confident learners. However, the childminder does not make creative resources readily available in the playroom to enable children to follow their own ideas in play. This means children cannot develop their creative and imaginative skills spontaneously without having to ask first.

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who attend

Children benefit from regular outings to the beach, parks, and aquarium with the childminder. This enables them to find out about the world around them, and gives them access to an extended variety of resources and learning opportunities. The childminder takes them to groups at the children's centre and to toddler groups, which allows them to socialise with others. This helps to prepare them for moving on to school as they meet new people and learn new skills in different environments.

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

The environment is welcoming and resources are well organised and generally accessible so that children can make choices about their play. This means they enjoy activities and are motivated to learn. The childminder demonstrates a thoughtful, sensitive approach to managing children's behaviour. She acts as a good role model and supports them to understand and manage their feelings. This means children respond well to taking turns and sharing, developing their social skills and preparing them for future learning. The childminder encourages children to learn to become independent. She supports them with toileting and ensures they wash their hands appropriately. However, she does not extend these developing skills further, for example at snack time, so that children help more to prepare their meals and pour their drinks when they are thirsty.

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

The childminder promotes children's healthy lifestyles by providing healthy snacks and meals. She ensures meal times are social occasions, and sits with children as they eat, talking to them about their day. This helps them to develop good social skills and enhances their communication and language development as they learn to interact positively with others. Children enjoy fresh air and exercise every day, either in the garden or on outings to the park. This enables children to develop good physical skills as they enjoy the fresh air.

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibility to meet the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has effective safeguarding policies in place and refreshes her training so she is up-to-date with current procedures. The childminder is vigilant and closely supervises children so they are safe and secure at all times. She assesses her home and garden effectively for potential risks and takes sensible precautions to keep children safe from harm. She reminds children to play safely, which helps them understand the importance of staying safe. Consequently, the childminder keeps children safe from harm and neglect.

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provision

Overall, the childminder uses her knowledge of the learning and development requirements effectively to plan a broad range of interesting activities. This enables children to make good progress in all areas of learning. The childminder makes observations of children's learning and play, consults parents and knows children well. The childminder has good relationships with parents, and they value her flexibility and commitment. They comment that they are very happy with the service provided and happy that their children enjoy attending. Parents trust the childminder to keep their children safe and look after them well.

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provision

The childminder is committed to furthering her early years qualifications. She is reflective of her practice, enabling her to make effective changes that benefit children's learning and development. She works hard to provide a good service for families, which they appreciate. The childminder meets regularly with other childminders to plan activities and share good practice. As a result, she is up-to-date with current childcare and educational developments and provides children with fresh, exciting play experiences. Her secure knowledge of children's individual learning needs means she is able to provide a responsive educational programme that promotes children's continuous learning.

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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. We re-inspect nurseries and pre-schools judged as requires improvement within 12 months of the date of 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

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Grade Judgement Description

is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. Met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. 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 EY370237 Local authority Plymouth Inspection number 829165 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 5 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5

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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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