Childminder in Cornwall

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

Children settle well with the childminder and quickly feel safe and secure. Babies new to the setting build positive attachments with the childminder and are happy in her care. They have secure bonds and show confidence in exploring her home. Children enjoy their time with the childminder. They are motivated and engrossed in their play. They stay focused and show perseverance. For example, young children try to order rings by size on a stand, repeating this over and over again until they succeed. The childminder follows the interests of the children and offers some experiences and toys that will encourage play and engage the children. However, the childminder does not plan her curriculum as precisely as she could to challenge all children across the areas of learning. For example, she does not build younger children's knowledge of books and stimulate their curiosity in simple stories. As a result, they do not show an interest in books and reading.

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The provision requires improvement

Children benefit from a variety of outdoor learning experiences. For example, they visit local zoos and attractions which sparks their curiosity about animals and plants. The childminder builds on this knowledge to embed learning. For instance, she asks children to find different animal toys and reminds them of the animals they have seen at the zoo to support them.

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need to do better?

n The quality of teaching is variable. The childminder knows children well. She observes them regularly and provides some relevant next steps in learning and development. However, although children make some progress, she does not have a clear and ambitious curriculum in place. Also, she does not ensure her planning includes a purposeful range of interesting experiences for children across all areas of learning. n The childminder completes essential training, such as to update her understanding of administering first aid. However, she does not place enough focus on her continuous professional development to ensure that she provides children with high quality and positive learning experiences. Also, she has not kept up to date with changes to the Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage. She does not constantly seek to improve the quality of her overall practice. n The planning for promoting children's personal development is strong. Children

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need to do better?

have a varied range of experiences and learn how to be kind. For instance, they help the childminder to care for her pet dogs and learn how to handle them gently. The childminder encourages children to use 'kind hands' and explains the consequences of their actions. Children display positive behaviours and show consideration towards others. For example, babies offer toys to the childminder and other children so they can join in their play.

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need to do better?

7 December 2023 n Children have plenty of opportunities to be outdoors in the fresh air and to be physically active. They have daily outings to local parks and attractions with play equipment. The childminder encourages children to build their physical skills. She provides opportunities for babies to practise walking and older children to build their balance and muscle strength. n The childminder builds positive relationships with parents before children start. She meets parents to share policies and procedures and asks for important information about their children. For example, she asks about children's interests, routines and medical information so she can support and care for children as soon as they start with her. She continues this two-way communication with parents so children remain happy and cared for. n The childminder supports children's communication and language skills well. She models social skills, such as making eye contact and how to have conversations.

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need to do better?

For instance, she responds to the babbles of babies and gives them opportunities to respond back. For older babies and toddlers, she repeats their words showing how to pronounce them accurately. She introduces new words and their meaning to extend children's range of vocabulary. n Children learn hygiene routines, such as washing their hands before eating which promotes their health. However, the childminder is not always proactive in promoting healthy packed lunches and drinks from home. For example, babies are able to drink juice even though they enjoy drinking water.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder's knowledge of safeguarding is secure. She shows awareness of the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. She knows the actions to take if she was ever concerned about the welfare of a child. The childminder implements robust risk assessments to keep children safe. For example, she ensures that her car is suitable to transport children on outings and that car seats are fitted correctly. She teaches children about road safety and how to keep themselves safe on trips outside her home. For instance, older children know to stay within her sight at all times at the park and younger children learn to stop, look and listen before crossing the roads. The childminder ensures that her premises and garden is safe and clean for children.

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Due date

7 December 2023 plan and implement a broad curriculum that ensures all children receive the appropriate level of challenge they need to achieve and attain their next steps across all areas of learning 07/01/2024

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Due date

seek professional development opportunities to improve knowledge so that children benefit from high-quality learning experiences that continually improve over time. 18/01/2024

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should:

n explore ways of encouraging healthy food and drink choices to further promote children's health.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY498661 Local authority Cornwall Inspection number 10308601 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection 26 March 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016. She lives in St Eval, near Wadebridge, Cornwall. She is available Monday to Friday from 7am until 6pm, all year round, except for the childminder's holidays. The childminder holds an early years qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n This is the first inspection the childminder received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in the evaluation of the setting. n The inspector observed the implementation of the curriculum during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The childminder explained the opportunities that she provides for children to learn outdoors and the impact on children's learning and development. n The inspector carried out a joint evaluation of activities with the childminder and they discussed their findings. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request, including records of paediatric first-aid training and attendance

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Inspection activities

registers. n The inspector viewed and assessed the suitability of the premises.

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Inspection activities

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

7 December 2023 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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