Childminder in Cornwall

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is outstanding

Children flourish in this highly stimulating and exciting provision. The childminder and her assistants aim to provide children with a caring, inviting and enjoyable experience every day. All children have exceptional opportunities to be with nature and learn how to care for living things. They bottle feed newly born lambs, collect eggs from the chickens and feed the horses with hay. Children visit the beehive and learn how bees make honey. They watch with fascination how the honey extractor spins around to remove it from the combs. Additionally, children thoroughly enjoy learning about animals and their habitats through fun games. The childminder skilfully extends their learning. She discusses how the desert is hot and dry, whereas the rainforest is wet with lots of plant growth, to develop children's understanding of the wider world.

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The provision is outstanding

Younger children confidently match animal cards to their board. They impressively identify pictures of monkeys, toucans, elephants and crocodiles independently. Older children provide clues to their peers to help them guess which animal they are describing. For example, they use excellent vocabulary to talk about a polar bear being white and living in a cold climate.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are extremely happy and well behaved. The childminder and her assistants provide an exceptionally nurturing and safe environment. Children have a positive attitude to learning and are encouraged to achieve their best.

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need to do better?

n Children's communication and language skills are excellent. Younger children talk confidently about the gingerbread house that they make from cinnamon- scented dough. They accurately describe the shapes and use sequins to make the windows. Older children talk about ingredients they would use to make gingerbread and then extend these ideas when learning and playing outdoors. For instance, they write recipe cards and spontaneously use mathematical language in their play. They talk about kilograms and litres, using real weighing scales to measure out their imaginative ingredients. Children discuss the amount of time their gingerbread should bake for. n The childminder embraces all cultures and celebrations, helping children to learn about different ways of life. For example, children talk about German traditions, such as 'Sankt Nikolaus', the 'Patron Saint of Children'. They leave out their shoes overnight and excitedly tell the childminder about the small gifts they

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need to do better?

receive, such as oranges, apples, hazelnuts and peanuts. The childminder provides children and their family with a Thanksgiving dinner. This provides families with time to positively reflect and spend valuable time with loved ones. Partnerships with parents are highly effective.

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need to do better?

11 December 2019 n Children learn fully about different countries. They impressively show visitors where places are on a world map, including Canada and Germany. Children correctly identify where in the world certain food products grow, such as pineapples in Costa Rica. They excitedly talk about destinations they have visited on holiday with their family and of close relations who live abroad. The childminder and children write to a pen pal in Australia. They share exciting facts and activities with each other, to help support children's overall development. n Children adore being outside and physically active. They use natural materials to support their creativity even further. For example, they catch hailstones in buckets and crush berries to make paint. They show curiosity when rain drips onto their painted cardboard and the colours beautifully disperse. n The childminder and her assistants have undertaken extensive training on how

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need to do better?

children learn and develop. They understand the importance of children having secure attachments and nurturing care-givers. They help ensure children make positive connections and build strong relationships. Children's emotional well- being is strong. n Children are self-motivated and care practices are effective. They independently access the 'tissue station' to wipe their nose. Children understand the need to wash their hands regularly to prevent the spread of germs. The childminder's home is clean and hygienic. She teaches children effectively in how to keep healthy and enables them to explore and taste a wide range of nutritious foods, such as aubergine and mango. Children know that exercise, diet and hygiene contribute to a healthy lifestyle. The assistants support this by engaging in stimulating role-play activities with children. For instance, they pretend to be a patient and children dress up as doctors, using a stethoscope to listen to their

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need to do better?

heartbeat. n Since her last inspection, the childminder has formed strong links with other professionals. For example, she liaises closely with local schools and health visitors and provides them with the required progress check for children. This helps to ensure the identification of any gaps in learning and supports children as they move into school. The childminder develops early strategies to ensure children make the best possible progress.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistants are vigilant in ensuring children's safety. On outings, children are alert to the risks of traffic and adhere exceptionally well to safety guidance. The childminder carries out frequent fire drills. She ensures her assistants are aware of when a child's welfare is at risk and of the relevant agencies to contact if necessary. She implements regular supervision of her assistants and observes their interactions with children. This helps to ensure they consistently build upon their already excellent teaching practice.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY491750 Local authority Cornwall Inspection number 10076532 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder Age range of children 2 to 4 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 13 Date of previous inspection 21 March 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in St. Columb, Cornwall. She operates on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 8am to 5.30pm, all year round. The childminder offers free early education funding to children aged two, three and four years. She holds a level 3 qualification and works with two assistants.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector spoke to the childminder and her assistants at appropriate times during the day. n The childminder took the inspector on a learning walk and she explained how the activities provided help children learn and develop. n The inspector looked at a sample of documentation, including training certificates, a photograph album of children engaged in activities and suitability checks. n The childminder and the inspector carried out a joint observation and discussed the learning intentions it gave to children. n The inspector read written letters from parents to gain their thoughts of the childminder's provision.

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Inspection activities

11 December 2019 We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

11 December 2019 regulates and inspects to 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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