Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY308431 Inspection date 13 October 2005 Inspector Rachel Ruth Britten

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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 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 has been registered since May 2005. He lives with his wife and one grown up child in a large terraced property on the outskirts of Winsford. The minded children have access to the large designated playroom, the downstairs cloakroom, large corridor space and supervised access to the kitchen and lounge. There is also a play area for children at the back and side of the house. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under 8 and works alongside his wife who is also a childminder. There are currently a total of eight children on roll, with six present at the inspection. Children are usually transported by

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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 car to local schools and pre-schools. The family have a pet dog, who is usually outdoors in his kennell and run whilst the children are present.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children stay healthy because the childminder consistently follows robust health and hygiene procedures. For example, he wipes down the outdoor toys and equipment before children go out to play. Babies are hygienically changed using nappies and creams supplied by parents. All children are reminded and assisted to wash their hands at the playroom sink with anti-bacterial soap and clean towels after messy play and before snacks or meals. The accommodation enhances all aspects of children’s emotional health because it is exceptionally stimulating, comfortable and spacious. The large playroom, hall, lounge and play areas are extremely colourful, well set out, and welcoming, so that children feel confident and self-assured as they move about, play and eat. Children enjoy very regular physical activity because there is a superb range of ride-on toys and well made fixed play equipment which children can play on using the

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Helping children to be healthy

long drive and rear garden. The tarmac drive can be used in all weathers, so that children go out very regularly as part of their daily routine. Children are protected from becoming ill because there is a clear sickness policy stating that they should not attend if they are ill. In addition, meticulous working practices used by the childminder ensure that cross-infection is minimised. For example, children use their own drinking cups, mats and plates and do not usually play with the dog because he mostly stays in his kennell and run where his food and drink are. Children can rest and sleep according to their needs because the childminder has a clear understanding of each child's daily routine and is skilled at providing for their rest when this is needed. For example, children have their own individual comforter or blanket to help them settle, and they are placed in a quiet room away from other children and monitored regularly through a window, by the intercom, or by entering

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Helping children to be healthy

the room. Excellent teamwork between the childminder and his childminder wife ensure that sleeping children do not have to be interrupted to go out to collect children or because other children are eating or playing outside. Children are well nourished and enjoy a balanced diet because the childminder does exceedingly well at encouraging all children to eat regular meals consisting of healthy foods. The sample menus include plenty of fruit and minimal sweetened foods. Sweets and biscuits are only given after tea if all the nutritious food has been eaten. Appetites are stimulated with regular exercise and small snacks of fruit so that meals are eaten. Parents are asked to cooperate in this by not bringing sweets or cakes unless it is a treat for the child's birthday, and there is a written policy to endorse this. Children respond exceptionally well to meal and snack routines. These are formally

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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 set out at the table or high chairs, once previous activities and toys are cleared away, hands washed and the table laid with cups and mats. Children enjoy the social aspect of eating and cooperating as a group of friends. Babies are cuddled as they have their bottle and toddlers are helped as needed as they sit in their high chairs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in an exceptionally welcoming, secure and safe indoor and outdoor environment. The purpose built and fitted play room is set out to provide a vibrant and dynamic play space, with a wealth of colourful and educational posters and pictures on the walls. Children animatedly move between the activities set out on the table, floor and at work stations around the room. A corner open store room acts as a further library area, while a sofa provides comfy seating. There is room for a travel cot which is usually used to provide safe play space for non-mobile babies if the childminder has to leave the room to assist another child in the toilet or prepare food or drinks. The large hall by the side door affords convenient access for parents and a place for all coats and shoes. This provides children with space to develop their independence skills as they go in and out.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use a wealth of suitable and safe equipment and resources which are accessibly set out and stored all around the room on shelves, worktops and in storage bins. They know where things belong and enjoy getting out the dolls, books and diggers. They also play an active part in tidying up before snacks and meals. Outdoors, there is an array of fixed play equipment for climbing, sliding and swinging in the grassed garden area. There are also play houses, and ride on toys to use for role play along the tarmac drive. These things provide an inspiring range of challenge which contribute to children's learning and development. Children are very secure and well supervised in the setting. Safety gates, guards and fire detection and fighting equipment enhance children's safety indoors and outdoors. Closed circuit television and baby monitors support the childminder's first class vigilance to ensure that sleeping children are checked and that children in the play

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

room can be seen from the kitchen food preparation area. The doors and gates to the premises are locked at all times and the childminder works effectively with his childminder wife to ensure that children are well supervised at all times. For example, he plays with the children outside while she prepares the lunch. Children are well protected because the childminder understands his role in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary. He knows what the symptoms of possible abuse are and has a short policy notifying parents that he will inform social services if he is concerned that a child may be being abused. He also knows what to do in the event of an allegation being made against him.

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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 Children are involved, enthusiastic and can enjoy a wealth of inspiring activities because the childminder is exceedingly well organised and is a superb male role model. The environment provides for all children to move about to a number of play zones and the daily routine provides a structure within which children feel secure. In addition, the resources are first class, inviting children to play with them in a varied and imaginative way. For example, children use the play house, buggies, toy cars and petrol station outside to play a fun community role play together outside in the sunshine. Parents also comment that children's imagination is encouraged at every opportunity, along with crafts, baking and art work which the children bring home. Children acquire new knowledge and skills because the childminder is highly

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

motivated to promote each child's progress and independence. For example, he talks and plays with the babies; sets out cars and dolls house for the toddlers, and prepares craft activities for the pre-school children so that they can practise their pencil, colouring, cutting and stencil skills. He effectively uses the Birth to three matters toolkit and believes that the daily routine offered to the children helps them to make rapid progress in all areas of their development. Children develop high levels of confidence and self-esteem because their individual needs are met exceedingly well. The childminder and his partner childminder divide their time so that all the children present are well occupied and stimulated with suitable activities. They talk to the children about what they are doing and learning as well as showing an interest in their home lives. They also assist them with their role play and involve them in all aspects of the daily routine which gives them an added

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

sense of belonging. Children are making connections and becoming skilful communicators because the childminder discusses relevant issues with pre-school children. For example, he discusses the child's pet dog with her and how it was taken to the vet. Then, as they prepare to go outside, they talk about putting on coats and shoes and what the weather is like outside. Photo evidence and creative art work are retained in personal files for each child so that the childminder can evaluate their progress and adjust activity plans to provide optimal challenge for each child. Children also enjoy looking at their achievements and recalling events as they look at the photos. For example, they explain what they dressed up as and how the play room library was transformed into Santa's grotto with a real Father Christmas!

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children work harmoniously with others and are considerate. This is because the childminder is highly successful in creating a family atmosphere where mutual care is fostered. For example, pre-school children kiss and touch the babies and have learnt to keep small objects out of their reach. Children also hug one another when they arrive and say sorry if they have taken a toy from another child. The childminder gives children an outstanding and consistent example of how to be kind and have fun together and they develop self-esteem and respect for others as they practise these life skills.

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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 Children are helped to consider and value diversity because there is a good range of resources in use which show positive images of other cultures and disabilities. These include books, dressing up, play figures and dolls. Children have a positive sense of themselves and happily play with all toys and games regardless of gender stereotypes. For example, the boys play with dolls as the childminder changes the baby's nappy, while the girls enjoy playing with cars. Children understand responsible behaviour because they receive excellent support to produce good behaviour and manners. For example, they ask questions about where things go, so that they can put them away in the right place before they go outside to play. They also say please and thank you to one another and to adults. There is a

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Helping children make a positive contribution

loving and caring atmosphere created by the childminder and his childminder wife which underpins all aspects of the day. This is supported by a simple behaviour policy to work with parents to encourage extremely good behaviour. Children receive consistency of care because the childminder works together with parents. A daily written report for every child ensures that parents are fully informed about the child's day, while verbal exchanges and time spent handing over, actively contribute to children's wellbeing and parents' satisfaction. Written references from all the parents using the service are extremely positive. They speak of the excellent male and female role models provided by the childminder and his childminder wife. Parents are very pleased with the confidence, enthusiasm and good manners which their children are learning.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Vetting procedures and courses attended ensure that children are well protected and cared for by childminders with a good knowledge and understanding of child development. The childminder is booked to attend the 'Introduction to childminding practice' course and maintains a current first aid certificate. He also has a current Criminal Records Bureau disclosure. He makes use of the Birth to three matters training materials to ensure that children in this age range receive experiences which promote all aspects of their development. The childminder has a high regard for the well-being of all children and organises the day care to promote positive outcomes for children. He and his childminder wife work well as a team to ensure that children are well supervised at all times and receive maximum stimulation. This contributes well to their good health, safety, enjoyment and achievement and ability to take an active part in the setting. For example,

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Organisation

sleeping children and those wanting to rest, stay at home with his wife, while he takes the other two out to fetch a further child from nursery. This enables the individual needs of each child to be met. Policies and procedures work well in practice to promote children’s health, safety and enjoyment. For example, parents have given written consent for the use of photographs which children use and refer to. Short policies and an information sheet about the childminder and his family ensure that parents understand how the setting works and what kind of care their child will receive. Spare copies of the children's

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 contact numbers are made for taking out on trips and these are also logged into both mobile phones. This ensures that parents and carers can be contacted quickly if necessary. However, the daily register is not always completed accurately as children arrive and depart. This compromises them in the event of an emergency. 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 is the first inspection since registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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): • ensure that the daily attendance record is kept accurate and up to date at all times in case of emergency.

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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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