Roberts, Peter

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY302774 Inspection date 11 August 2005 Inspector Jackie Liffen

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 satisfactory. 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 2005 and works with his wife as a joint childminder. He lives with his wife and three children aged 7, 6 and 4 in Paddock Wood, Kent. The whole house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five and one over five. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends the local childminding group. The family have a dog.

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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. Children enjoy playing in hygienic surroundings where the childminder ensures that the floors are cleaned every morning; they tend to ignore the elderly dog who needs to have his water bowl on the floor near him. Children are protected from the sun because parents apply cream before they arrive at the setting, plus the childminder provides sufficient shade for them to play in comfort. Children benefit from playing in the garden whenever possible and exercise regularly when taken on outings to parks or farms. Babies are able to routinely sleep in individual cots where they have their own linen but older children tend not to rest during the day. Although most children understand the benefits of following healthy routines, they are not always washing their hands before eating. Children tend to be well nourished because the childminder contributes towards providing sustaining meals, although

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Helping children to be healthy

not all children are able to help themselves to a drink at any time.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to play in generally suitable surroundings although sometimes they have to be careful not to trip over the dog laying in the passageway. The space is adequate for the number of children enabling them to explore and experiment in reasonable comfort. The childminder uses a daily risk assessment to check that the environment is safe for children. He takes a number of positive steps to promote safety on outings including encouraging children to wear familiar, coloured tee-shirts or sweatshirts emblazoned with a telephone number in case they should become lost. Although most of the toys are stored upstairs and some are difficult to access without help, children are interested and stimulated by the various structured activities that the childminder offers downstairs and in the garden, including a tent where they congregate to read stories or help the childminder develop a range of scientific

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

experiments. The childminder has a basic knowledge of child protection procedures and works with his wife to achieve the most beneficial outcome for children. Children are secure and able to play confidently because the resources are of a suitable design and condition, well maintained and conform to safety standards

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are learning to take turns and share, encouraged by the childminder when he demonstrates experiments, for example he enlists their help in constructing a

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 windmill. The childminder takes every opportunity to discuss various aspects of their play so children's knowledge is developing in all areas, for instance he crouches down on the floor to discuss the purpose of wheels with one three year old. Children are developing confidence and some are articulate enough to sustain conversations with strangers. They are showing an enquiring interest in anything unusual such as a laptop computer and are keen to take part in a number of planned, creative activities. Children's imagination is constantly being stretched by the childminder who stimulates their thinking by introducing many new concepts. They are enthralled when the childminder reads with them or demonstrates experiments in a group situation.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from continuity of care because parents are kept fully informed about each child's activities and achievements. The home/setting communication is good. Children are developing positive attitudes towards others because the childminder helps to initiate projects centred on different parts of the world, however, they are not always able to freely access the range of toys and activities depicting equal opportunities. Children are becoming emotionally sensitive and their behaviour is good because they relate well to the childminder and his wife, understand boundaries, and are always interested and involved in the activities provided. The childminder is positive in his outlook and stretches children's imaginations in a number of ways. He is able to include children with special needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder also works as a fireman but he is well organised and does not to let this impede on the care of children. He works well with his wife as a joint childminder and helps her to prepare the policies and procedures necessary for the efficient running of the service. The childminder ensures that his first aid qualification is valid so that if children have accidents he is able to deal with them competently. He keeps records up-to-date so that children benefit from being cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes and so that overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report since registration.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • extend children's understanding of how to maintain healthy options • ensure that children can safely access toys at all times.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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