Childminder in Plymouth

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 02/12/2014 20/01/2009

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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

 Children are happy and settled. The childminder works closely with parents to enable her to support children's care needs consistently.  The childminder effectively supports children's communication and language as they play.  The childminder makes good use of the information she gathers from parents and her observations to provide activities to engage and promote children's development.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 There are few examples for children to see and use number in the outdoors as they play, especially for those children who particularly like to learn outside.

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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 the childminder and children.  The inspector held discussions with the childminder and co-childminder.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector sampled documentation including children's records of development, risk assessments, accident records and policies.  The inspector reviewed written feedback from parents.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 2008. She lives with her husband and three children in a two-bedroom house in the Peverell area of Plymouth, Devon. The childminder works with her husband who is also a registered childminder. Their home is accessible by three steps to the front door. The whole of the ground floor is available for childminding, with the first floor for sleeping and use of the bathroom. Children access an enclosed back yard for outdoor play. The loft conversion bedroom is not available for childminding purposes. The childminder's home is within walking distance of schools, pre-schools and local parks. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently 15 children on roll of whom seven are in the early years age range. The family has a rabbit, a budgerigar and two Border Collie dogs, kennelled outdoors.

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

 extend learning opportunities outdoors to further enhance children's mathematical skills.

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who attend

The childminder has a good understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children are happy in the childminder's company. She works closely with her husband, who is also a registered childminder, to provide a range of activities and resources that effectively promotes children's learning and development. The childminder plans activities to engage children's interest, both at her home and during outings. For example, by planning trips to groups, she helps children's social skills as they meet other children and adults. These experiences help children to understand expectations when they move on to pre-school and school. The childminder chats with the children about trips they have been on with their family. She uses this opportunity to extend their curiosity about animals and the natural world. For example, she encourages children to share their drawings, talking about types, size and colours of

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who attend

the fish they have seen at the aquarium. This not only encourages children's language and communication skills, but also promotes their awareness of different mathematical concepts.

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who attend

By encouraging children to make marks, the childminder is providing children with the opportunity to develop their early writing skills as they attempt to name their own drawings. The childminder acknowledges younger children's attempts to communicate by responding to their sounds and using single words to encourage language and understanding. Children enjoy sharing nursery rhymes. They explore and listen to various musical sounds from a variety of resources provided by the childminder. For example, they enjoyed pressing buttons to hear different musical sounds. Children enjoy music and spontaneously break into song. They independently seek out books, and carefully turn the pages. They follow the pictures as they sing their favourite songs moving their bodies to the actions rhymes. This helps to promote children's physical development and early literacy skills.

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who attend

The childminder provides an inclusive setting. Children have access to various books and resources that portray children and families from different ethnic groups. She sings familiar nursery rhymes in children's home languages and teaches these to the other children in her care. This means the childminder enhances children's awareness and understanding of difference and diversity.

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who attend

The childminder encourages children's understanding of mathematics in her home. There are many opportunities for children to recognise number, for example, when using puzzles, books and counting games. However, the outdoor area lacks opportunities for children to see and use numbers in their play, especially for those children who prefer to learn outside.

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who attend

The childminder records observations to monitor children's progress. She seeks useful information from parents about children's activities at home when they first start. The childminder uses child development guidance effectively to help her plan the next steps in children's learning. She uses her observations to complete progress checks for two-year- old children. She shares these and the children's learning journals with parents and other early years settings the children attend. This promotes a consistent approach to children's learning experiences.

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

The childminder works closely with the parents to provide a warm and homely environment, to help children to feel secure. Parents provide information about their children's favourite activities. The childminder arranges settling-in sessions with parents and their children, to help make the move for both as smooth as possible. As a result, babies benefit from the warm and sensitive approach of the childminder and the positive atmosphere she provides. Babies demonstrate they feel safe and secure by moving away from the childminder to explore their surroundings, or sit happily playing on the floor. The childminder closely follows the information she obtains from parents, to ensure she follows young children's routines according to parent's wishes. As a result, the childminder responds to children's individual needs and promptly recognises, for example, when young children need to sleep. The childminder works closely with parents to meet children's

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

dietary needs, to ensure the appropriate food and drink is available. This means she is fully aware of any food allergies, which pose a risk to children. The childminder holds young babies closely as she bottle-feeds them, helping them feel secure. The childminder provides good opportunities for young children to be physically active, as part of their early understanding of the need for exercise for a healthy lifestyle. All children have access to fresh air and exercise. They visit the local park to play or use the outside play area with the childminder to be energetic.

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

Children receive warm and positive attention from the childminder; she spends time talking to them and actively engaging in their play. The childminder regularly praises older children's efforts and achievements. Children learn to share, take turns and show kindness towards each other. The childminder acknowledges babies successes with cheers, smiles and claps; this helps to promote their confidence and self-esteem. The childminder increases children's awareness of fire safety by carrying out regular fire drills with them, so they are aware of what to do in an emergency.

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provision

The childminder promotes children's safety and welfare well because she has a good understanding of the safeguarding and welfare requirements, including her role in safeguarding children. She knows what to do if she has any child protection concerns about children in her care. The childminder ensures children are safe both indoors and in the outdoor environment by undertaking regular risk assessments. She regularly monitors sleeping children and supervises young children closely. For example, she makes sure she is close by to provide a supporting hand as young children start to pull themselves up to a standing position. The childminder uses safety gates to keep children from accessing the stairs. In the event of an accident, she records the incident and shares this information with parents.

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provision

Since her last inspection, the childminder has made good improvements to her provision. She has developed links with other local early years settings to share information about children's development and to promote continuity of care. She uses her observations and guidance documents to identify next steps in children's development. Her planning takes into consideration children's interests, abilities and characteristics. As a result, children make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder has developed a good relationship with parents, sharing information on a daily basis about their child's day and development. She acts on advice provided by the local authority support service and works closely with parents to seek ways to improve her service. For example, she has introduced daily diaries as a means of sharing information with parents when other nominated persons collect their children. The childminder has attended some courses to

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provision

ensure her practice remains up to date. All of which demonstrates, the childminder's commitment to continuous improvement.

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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 EY373140 Local authority Plymouth Inspection number 829306 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 15

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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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