Skyrme-Mason, Wendy Ann

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 December 2015 8 June 2012

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement Outcomes for children Requires improvement

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

 The childminder's risk assessments are not sufficiently robust. She effectively identifies potential hazards but does not take prompt action to tackle these. For example, there is discarded furniture and broken fencing in the garden, limiting children's safe exploration.  The presentation and condition of toys and resources limits children's independence. Some toys are grubby. They are stored in boxes, which are stacked high. The room is full of other household items, which makes it difficult for children to see what is available.  There are few opportunities for children to use equipment to practise early writing in their play and learning because these resources are out of reach.  The childminder does not make effective use of ongoing self-evaluation to identify areas that require improvement.

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It has the following strengths

 Children form strong relationships with the childminder. She is attentive to their needs, and speaks to them with sensitivity. Children are comfortable and enjoy cuddles with the childminder. They develop a good sense of security and positive well-being.  Overall, teaching is effective in helping children make steady progress. The childminder monitors children's progress effectively and shares learning targets with parents.  The childminder manages children's behaviour successfully. For example, she teaches children to think about how others feel and talks to them about sharing.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

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Due Date

 make better use of risk assessments to ensure children have sufficient outdoor space and can explore in safety 08/12/2015

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Due Date

 improve children's independence to enable them to choose clean and well-maintained resources they need for their chosen activities. 05/01/2016

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Due Date

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

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Due Date

 provide more opportunities for children to practise their early writing skills  develop robust self-evaluation procedures to monitor the effectiveness of practice in order to make ongoing improvements.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children playing indoors and outdoors.  The inspector toured the areas used for childminding and outside.  The inspector considered parents' views through questionnaires completed for the childminder and spoke to children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector sampled a range of documentation including the complaints policy and children's records.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

Some areas of the childminder's organisation are not fully effective in meeting all requirements and promoting children's learning and welfare. The childminder places appropriate focus on continually improving her teaching skills. For example, she attends a variety of training courses. Most recently, attending communication training has increased her ability to help build children's language skills. There are some weaknesses in how the childminder manages risks and organises space and resources. Self-evaluation is not effective in identifying weaknesses to enable her to make continuous improvements. The childminder has not fully met the recommendations from the last inspection. Some toys are grubby, and resources are still not easily accessible enough to enable children to independently choose the resources they need. Safeguarding is effective. The childminder recognises potential signs that may alert her to concerns about children's welfare and

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

Overall, children develop positive attitudes to learning and generally engage well as they play. However, the organisation of the resources does not enable children to make choices in their play. Children gain the skills ready for their next stages in learning. For example, they learn new vocabulary while listening to stories and correctly identify shapes and numbers that the childminder points out. The childminder builds on these mathematical skills further by encouraging children to add. However, resources to help children practise early writing skills are out of reach, limiting their opportunities to make marks and write for a purpose. Children enjoy play both indoors and outdoors. The childminder teaches children about the world around them. For example, as they sweep apples onto the grass they talk about letting the worms eat them.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

The childminder supervises children well during outdoor play but debris and discarded equipment in the garden limit their space and freedom to explore safely. The childminder provides children with regular opportunities to develop their physical skills as they walk up and down steps, for example. They enjoy walks in the local area and learn how to keep themselves safe, such as by holding hands with the childminder. Children behave well and respond well to the childminder's requests, such as helping to tidy up. Children develop good social skills by mixing with other children. For example, they visit local groups where they make friends and play together.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Children are happy and enjoy their time with the childminder. Overall, they make steady progress in relation to their starting points, developing skills in readiness for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 104557 Local authority Devon Inspection number 839300 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 1992 and lives in Harbertonford, Devon. She offers care every day except Wednesday, from 7.30am until 6.30pm, all year round, except public holidays. The childminder has a relevant childcare qualification at level 3.

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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

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Telephone number

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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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