Childminder in Cornwall

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the childminder's home. They arrive enthusiastically and ready to play and learn. They settle quickly, and they confidently make choices in their play. Children enjoy exploring the wide range of activities, and they play well with each other, sharing and taking turns readily. For example, when creating with play dough, children eagerly search for the shape cutters that their friends are looking for. They delight when they find them and can be helpful to their friends. The childminder has a kind, caring nature and encourages children to join in with activities, such as singing number rhymes or sharing books, which were chosen together on a visit to the local library. The childminder supports children to make good progress from their starting points by providing a curriculum that is ambitious for all and builds on what children know and can do. The childminder knows each child's next steps and provides lots of

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The provision is good

opportunities for them to practise what they know. For example, children enjoy drawing. The childminder supports older children to develop control and coordination when using pens and crayons.

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The provision is good

Children are well behaved. The childminder has high expectations, and children enjoy meeting these. The childminder has strong bonds with children, and they feel safe and well cared for. The childminder is swift to offer reassurance, encouragement and praise as they are playing. Children show independence and are keen to do things for themselves, such as preparing their own snack and dressing for outside play.

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need to do better?

n Children thoroughly enjoy taking part in learning activities as part of a group. They join in with creating clay homes for woodland animals, as the childminder shares a familiar story containing the characters. Children eagerly add natural objects to the habitats that they create and use their imaginations to recreate the story. Children excitedly shout, 'Owl flying. Flying up, up, up!' They squeal in delight as the childminder creates owl sounds by using her hands. n Children's communication and language skills are good. Younger children interact and are confident to communicate their needs, wants and feelings. For example, they grab the childminder's hand and lead her to the slide, so she can support them to climb the steps. Older children grow in confidence to speak. The childminder is quick to respond to them and shows interest in their ideas and thoughts. However, children do not always have enough time to process and

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need to do better?

respond to the questions that the childminder asks. n Children enjoy activities that promote an active lifestyle. They regularly explore local woods, beaches, rivers and parks and develop new knowledge and skills from these rich and varied learning activities. For example, children develop their

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need to do better?

19 March 2024 balancing and control skills as they explore uneven ground in the woods and develop their ability to solve problems as they build dams to divert the flow of water at the beach. n Children benefit from snacks and meals that the childminder provides. They try new fruits and berries at snack and enjoy home-cooked lunches made by the childminder that are prepared with fresh foods. They particularly like pasta and rice dishes and have developed confidence to try new foods as this is a regular occurrence at mealtimes. n The childminder monitors children's progress well and is quick to identify children who may benefit from extra help to support their learning and development. She works effectively with other providers and health professionals to best meet the needs of every child. n The childminder has good relationships with parents that support children's learning. She regularly informs parents of their children's progress and next

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need to do better?

steps in learning, so parents know how to support and extend their children's learning at home. Parents are particularly thankful for the childminder's flexibility in her opening days. They also praise her kind and nurturing approach to caring for their children. They speak of their children waking up each day eager to see the childminder. However, the childminder does not work closely enough with parents, so children benefit from and understand more about making consistent healthy food choices as part of a healthy lifestyle. n The childminder knows children's interests well, and she provides resources and learning opportunities that build on them. For example, children enjoy singing and being active. The childminder combines these and uses a balancing frame for children to sit on as they sing. They enthusiastically sing action songs as they move the balance frame back and forth.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n provide children with more time to process and respond to questions, so they can share their own ideas and think things through themselves n work more closely with parents so that children benefit from and understand more about making healthy food choices as part of a healthy lifestyle.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2653085 Local authority Cornwall Inspection number 10332922 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 3 Number of children on roll 3 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2021 and lives in Liskeard, Cornwall. She operates all year round, from 7.15am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday. Her provision is known as Bluebells Childcare.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures that they are safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises her early years provision, including the aims and rationale for the early years foundation stage curriculum. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of

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Inspection activities

their views. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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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

19 March 2024 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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