Childminder in Devon

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 2 March 2015 26 November 2009

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Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Good 2

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Good 2

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The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Requires improvement The setting does not meet legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 At times, the childminder exceeds the expected adult-to-child ratio, meaning she sometimes cares for four early years children at a time.  The childminder does not fully extend children's literacy skills so they can access and use a broad range of writing equipment and see meaningful print in their play.  Children are not always able to develop and follow their own ideas and imaginations creatively during some planned craft activities.

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It has the following strengths

 The childminder has a good knowledge of children's current stage of development due to the frequent observations and assessment she makes. This helps her to provide activities that build on children's skills and understanding to extend their learning.  Children feel comfortable at the setting and settle in quickly due to the warm relationships they establish with the childminder.  The childminder uses a range of positive strategies to promote children's good behaviour. She routinely offers praise, uses sticker charts, which effectively builds children's confidence and self-esteem, and teaches them to use good manners. This helps children to understand expectations and consequently, they behave well.  The childminder has a good awareness of how to safeguard children's welfare by seeking advice from external professionals to refer potential causes for concern.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage the provider must:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 ensure that appropriate ratios are maintained at all times when caring for early years children to promote their welfare.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 display meaningful print to help children begin to recognise familiar letters and provide them with more frequent access to a broad range of mark-making equipment  provide more opportunities for children to use their own ideas and imaginations during craft activities to express themselves creatively.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector discussed with the childminder how she delivers the educational programmes for children, including for children of differing ages.  The inspector observed children's self-chosen and adult-led activities indoors.  The inspector looked at the childminder's policies and discussed her procedures for keeping children safe, as well as the documents and records that she keeps.  The inspector took account of the views of parents.

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who attend. This is good

The childminder seeks relevant information from parents to help her meet children's individual learning needs from the time they start. Parents receive regular information regarding their children's next steps to enable them to support their children's learning at home. As a result, children make clear progress from their developmental starting points. The childminder's good assessment and planning arrangements allow her to focus on helping children achieve. For example, she supported older children's hand-eye coordination and fine manipulation skills by encouraging them to practise using scissors during a craft activity. However, this activity was too prescriptive and meant that children could not follow their own creative ideas. The childminder interacts well with children to support their communication and language. She makes good use of questions and demonstrates correct pronunciation well to enable children to listen to the different sounds

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good

Children develop close relationships with the childminder and welcome her input into their games, willingly following her suggestions. They share toys well and eagerly help their friends, such as offering to help find the end of the sticky tape. Children show a good awareness of routines and expectations, helping to tidy up without prompt from the childminder. This helps to prepare them well for the next stage in their learning, including school. The childminder generally provides a good range of resources and interesting activities which engage and motivate children. However, children are not always able to choose resources during their play that enable them to explore the marks they make and there are fewer opportunities for them to see familiar words and letters. The childminder meets children's dietary needs well and children particularly enjoy their home-cooked meals. Children understand the importance of following hygienic hand washing routines.

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provision requires improvement

The childminder does not always comply with expected ratios as set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, overall, she meets children's learning and development and care needs well. A good range of policies underpins the childminder's practice and informs parents of routines and procedures. Systems for self-evaluation help the childminder identify appropriate areas for development. She obtains parents' views through regular questionnaires to help her make changes to her practice and children's experiences. The childminder has completed a level 3 qualification since her last inspection, which has helped her to focus on different ways to support the individual needs of all children. This shows her commitment to drive improvement.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 154042 Local authority Devon Inspection number 836794 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 9

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 26 November 2009

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2001. She lives with her three adult children in North Tawton, approximately seven miles from Okehampton. The family has a cat and dog as pets. The childminder collects children from North Tawton Primary School and pre-school. The childminder's daughter occasionally works as her assistant. The childminder has a level 3 early years qualification.

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Telephone number

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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Telephone number

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

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Telephone number

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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Telephone number

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

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