Roche, Alan

Roche, Alan Inspection report for early years provision

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404597 Unique Reference Number 20 February 2007 Inspection date Valerie Block Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2001. He works with his wife who also is a registered childminder. They live in Wigton, Cumbria with their two sons aged 16 and 13. All of the house, apart from the family bedrooms, is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder works with his co-minder every day throughout the week. He is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time when working alone. When minding with his co-worker they may care for a maximum of 10 children. Currently, they are caring for 15 children between them. One child attends on a full-time basis, the other children attend for part of the week at various times. The childminder takes responsibility for the upkeep of the house and some health and safety work. Apart from this, the two childminders work equally together.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. He attends local children's groups. The family has one dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

He is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Although not responsible for record keeping, the childminder completes records as necessary to promote children's health when required. He is also aware of children's records and information from parents so ensuring he is well informed about children's needs. He takes responsibility for keeping the first aid box appropriately stocked and so protects children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a warm, clean home. They enjoy a satisfactory range of activities which contribute to their good health. Each day, weather permitting, there are outdoor walks or time playing in the garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder sits at the kitchen table encouraging children to eat healthily and engaging them in conversation so making meal times an enjoyable, relaxed family occasion. Children receive regular drinks throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health needs are soundly met by the childminder who ensures that the house is kept clean. He cleans the floors regularly during the day to ensure that the health needs of crawling children are met. Children begin to understand about keeping themselves healthy as he encourages them to wash their hands after using the toilet. He explains this is to get rid of germs that would make them feel unwell.

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Helping children to be healthy

Small children's emotional health is nurtured, as babies are cuddled whilst sitting on his knee. He talks to them very gently and with affection. The young children smile at him and are very content in his care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder takes the lead on ensuring that the premises are safe, secure and well-maintained. He has recently developed the patio in the garden to allow children more play area when the ground is wet. Children enjoy the use of a well decorated, bright home with a designated playroom. The children enjoy having access to a good range of play equipment and suitable furniture in this room. The children learn about keeping themselves safe as the childminder ensures that they learn about road safety when out on walks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently select activities from a good range of clean, appropriate toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. The childminder ensures that children are well supervised when playing with toys to ensure that small children do not play with unsuitable objects. Children benefit from a good amount of high quality equipment for the care of children, such as cots and highchairs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm as the childminder has a satisfactory understanding of child protection procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder actively engages the children in the activities provided and demonstrates a satisfactory awareness of how to encourage their participation and development. He helps small children who sit on his knee to join in a nursery rhyme. He moves their arms along with the music, mimicking the actions that the older children are doing. The young children smile and enjoy joining in in this way. Therefore, small children begin to learn to enjoy the activities and to join in with the others.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder helps children to enjoy a craft activity where children pretend to make pancakes to celebrate Shrove Tuesday. They sprinkle glitter onto a paper plate to represent sugar and stick on coloured paper to represent fruit. Children talk to the childminder about making pancakes and so their language, communication and imaginative skills are enhanced.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Throughout the week, the childminder takes children for walks in the community and to children's groups where children begin to learn about being part of their community. Children benefit from regular exercise and fresh air when in the garden.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is in the early stages of using the 'Birth to three matters' framework. He is well attuned to the routines of young children and recognises their need for quiet activities and sleep when they become tired. However, he has not used the information available in the 'Birth to three matters' framework to develop children's abilities. He is aware of their normal patterns so meeting children's needs. Children form warm relationships with the childminder that contribute to their sense of belonging and self-worth.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children begin to learn about their place in the world as they regularly visit local children's groups and go for walks to places like the regular Friday town market. The childminder provides a satisfactory range of resources, including books and small figures, to promote a positive view of the wider world and to increase children's awareness of diversity. The childminder talked to the children about igloos and Eskimos at Christmas and therefore they are helped to relate their own experience to learning about other ways of life.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is very aware of the children's development and together with his childminder colleague discusses their individual needs carefully with parents to ensure that their children are happy and well cared for. Developmental charts for children under the age of two are used to track the children's developmental goals and so the childminder is able to identify any area for concern to discuss with parents. Each child is valued by the childminder and well known to him.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder follows a good behaviour policy that includes the rules of the house, which are given to parents and discussed with children according to their understanding. Children begin to show care and concern for one another as they negotiate over favourite toys and they behave well together. The childminders provide a good model of behaviour to the children as they work well together and provide a calm, positive atmosphere.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder having a positive relationship with parents. The childminder is involved fully with the communication exchange with parents about the children's

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 progress and needs. Parents receive a written daily diary and are shown a regularly completed development record for children under the age of two. They are also given a newsletter on a regular basis. They all receive an information sheet about the setting as well as their own set of comprehensive policies. The childminder has letters and cards from happy parents that show a good level of satisfaction with the setting.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder maintains appropriate records and ensures that parents are communicated with regularly. This means that children's needs are met.

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Organisation

The children feel at home and are at ease with their very safe and suitable environment. This means they are able to move about the home with confidence and help themselves to play equipment. The childminder and his colleague childminder have organised the available space well to ensure that children are usually on the ground floor and within sight or hearing, to ensure their safety and well-being. Children enjoy very good access to play equipment and use of a designated playroom with very suitable furniture to meet their needs.

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Organisation

Children are happy and settled in his care as he gives children a lot of attention and is very warm with them.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder ensuring that he has information useful to the childminding service. For example, he has recently attended a refresher first aid course. All children benefit from this continued learning.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to extend the range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. The childminder has extended the range of play equipment and activities to promote children's leaning about differences in society and so children learn about diversity.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • improve outcomes for children under three by implementing an approach in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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