Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY356855 Unique Reference Number 22 May 2008 Inspection date Debra Elizabeth Jean Dahlstrom 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 registered in 2007. He offers care from the home of his partner in the town of Knutsford. His partner is also a registered childminder. There are two children over eight permanently in the household and the childminder's own two teenage children may also be present. The whole ground floor and upstairs bathroom are used for childminding and there are fully enclosed front and rear gardens for outside play. The childminder is registered to care three children from five to eight and currently has two children on roll. He offers only out of school and holiday care for children of school age, while his partner offers care for younger children. The childminder takes children to local parks and places of interest and has a large vehicle available for trips.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. School age children learn to develop a healthy lifestyle through daily physical activities and outdoor experiences and activities. They develop a positive attitude to physical exercise as the

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 childminder shows great enthusiasm as he engages with children, thus promoting their confidence and enjoyment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are clear about the importance of good hygiene and cleanliness. From a young age they know to wash their hands after using the toilet, for example, before eating and the significance of germs and how they can effect our bodies. The childminder is a good role model for children, his gentle reminders and the colourful posters which decorate the home encourage children to maintain high standards.

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Helping children to be healthy

As a chef, the childminder uses his training to ensure high standards are maintained for food safety. The childminder is well qualified to provide for the nutritional needs of children in his care. They enjoy a broad and varied range of meals and balanced snacks, which meets their individual needs well. Homemade and attractively presented foods, ensure meal times are happy and social occasions. Children are actively involved in the preparation of foods and the childminder uses this time to extend children's understanding of where foods come from.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in warm and welcoming environment, which is bright and cheerful. Displays and examples of children's work make the environment aesthetically pleasing and help to create a sense of belonging for children. They make good use of a range of quality toys, play materials and equipment, which are stored so they are readily accessible to them. Children move around freely, independently and safely and, without prompting, tidy some toys away before getting others out to ensure there is sufficient safe play space.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is vigilant about safety within the home, with robust procedures in place to protect children in the event of an emergency, which children practice regularly with the childminder. Access to home is monitored closely, with alarmed doors to indicate those leaving or entering the premises.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a secure knowledge of child protection procedures approved by the Local Safeguarding Children's Board and is aware of their responsibility to protect the welfare of the child. Written detailed statements which are regularly reviewed ensure the childminder holds all the relevant contact details.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from warm relationships with the childminder, who spends time listening to them. He places great emphasis upon making the sessions fun, as humour is often shared between children and childminder creating at times, a very lively atmosphere.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Play is often enriched by the childminders participation, although he is always sensitive to this and never tries to control it so long as it remains within safe limits. As a result, children are happy, confident, independent and secure in his care. Children also benefit from an environment which is interesting and likely to challenge them. They design and build a 'wigwam' in the garden, with brightly decorated fabric covered in wildlife pictures. Butterflies are carefully drawn as consideration is given to their number and how they are positioned to balance out, once finished. Construction of the bamboo poles, takes sustained concentration and perseverance in tying the poles together with string in order to create the finished product.

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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 The childminder provides a varied range of activities for children in his care, children enjoy, cooking or gardening. They take pride in their achievements and a photographic record is maintained for them in their own files, clearly outlining their favourite activities and progress in their development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder takes care to ensure children’s individual requirements are met, he provides activities which are appropriate for the different ages and takes into account their interests. Activities can be adapted to ensure that they can be accessed by all children. The childminder has a generally good awareness of promoting equality of opportunity for children. Children have access to quality play materials and resources. Whilst the childminder is secure in his knowledge and commitment to challenging issues around race and disability, he is slightly less confident in dealing with matters around gender.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well as the childminder gives plenty of praise and support for their efforts and achievements. He is a very good role model, he is polite and listens to children, showing respect and consideration for all those in his care. Therefore children have good social skills as the childminder has high expectations of their behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is strong. It is effectively promoted as the childminder makes good use of information requested from parents, thus ensuring children’s individual needs are met. Feedback is also regularly sought in the form of questionnaires, in order to improve practice. Parents are well informed about their children's day to day experiences through verbal and written feedback at the end of the day. Children’s files and newsletters are detailed with lots of colourful photographs of out of school activities and anecdotes about their time with the childminder. This level of communication can only help benefit children's, welfare, care and learning.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children receive good quality care, provided by an enthusiastic and well motivated childminder. His commitment to ongoing training can only benefit the children's care and learning.

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Organisation

The home well is organised. Indoor and outdoor space is laid out to provide children with realistic and challenging play opportunities. He plans his time well, and makes sure that children can rest or be active, according to their needs. Children, therefore feel at home, they are secure and confident in their surroundings.

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Organisation

Records and documentation of a high standard as all policies and procedures are individual to the setting. They are robust and fully support the childminder's skilled practice.

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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

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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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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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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): • continue to develop further knowledge of gender stereotyping and ways to challenge it

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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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