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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children feel secure in the childminder's home. They enjoy cuddles with her and look to her for support or reassurance. The childminder responds warmly, talking to children gently and providing them with praise. For instance, when children investigate sand for the first time, she offers encouragement and positive feedback. Children smile and develop their self-esteem.

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The provision is good

The childminder has made improvements since her last inspection and has a clear understanding of her curriculum and what she wants children to learn. For example, she supports children on the 'stepping stones' to help develop their balancing skills and confidence in preparation for using larger physical equipment. The childminder is keen to develop children's love of books and implements a 'reading scheme' where she actively reads to children during their session. She then encourages children to take a story home to share with their family to support their literacy skills.

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The provision is good

Children learn to understand the rules and boundaries. The childminder teaches children to sit down when eating and explains the importance of safety. She encourages children to tidy up when they have finished playing, ready for the next activity. Children show a willingness to help. They learn to respect the environment and how to look after the toys.

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need to do better?

n Parents report positively on the childminder's care and of the progress children make. They comment on how supportive the childminder is to them as a whole family. Parents say they receive plenty of information from the childminder about the children's daily activities and general care practices. They feel well informed about their children's overall development. n Children enjoy exploring musical instruments. The childminder shows children how to use specific instruments that they may not have used before, such as a xylophone. She gently places her hand over the children's hand while they hold the beater and taps it onto the xylophone to create a sound. Children then try this independently, demonstrating their effective hand-eye coordination. n The childminder attends training to keep her knowledge updated. She shares this information with parents to benefit children. For example, the childminder

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need to do better?

ensures that children take naps on appropriate sleep mats or in a travel cot to help keep children safe while sleeping. n The childminder talks to children while they play, such as how the toy dinosaurs are 'small' or 'big', and asks lots of questions. The childminder focuses on encouraging children to learn new words. However, at times, the childminder does not simplify her language so children can hear, understand and copy key

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need to do better?

19 February 2025 words to support their communication. n Care practices are effective. The childminder recognises when children are tired and follows parents' routines from home to help settle them down for a nap. Children quickly drift off to sleep, showing they feel safe in the childminder's care. When children awake, she encourages them to eat healthily, providing fruit snacks and plenty of water to hydrate them. n Children show high levels of curiosity and are inquisitive, focusing their attention for long periods of time on activities that capture their interests. However, the childminder often changes the routine or the activities. Children sometimes become confused as they do not always understand what is happening next. n The childminder promotes oral health well. She provides children with their own toothbrush and encourages them to do this independently. Children also engage in role-play activities to promote their understanding. Parents comment on

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need to do better?

children's positive attitude to brushing their teeth at home. n Children learn about cultural diversity and other celebrations from around the world. For instance, children learn about Chinese New Year and how to write numbers using symbols. They make heart prints using paint for Valentine's day to help promote their creativity.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

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

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should:

n implement effective strategies to help children understand, copy and repeat words to further their communication n help children to understand the routines and what will happen next to support their understanding.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 102520 Local authority Cornwall Inspection number 10354112 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 18 Number of children on roll 19 Date of previous inspection 16 May 2024

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1983 and lives in Torpoint, Devon. She offers care Monday to Friday, from 6am until 7pm, all year round, except public holidays. The childminder works with assistants and volunteers. Of whom, one holds a level 3 qualification. The setting offers government funded places for childcare.

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Inspection activities

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 The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder, her assistant and the children. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

19 February 2025 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 February 2025 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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