Childminder in Bradford

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY321484 Inspection date 16 June 2006 Inspector Melissa Louise Patel

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and daughter aged two years in the Shipley area of Bradford. They live close to local amenities, such as shops, schools and parks. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder currently cares for three children under eight years and one child over eight years on a full and part time basis. The family have a pet dog.

p.2

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROVISION

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children of all ages learn to develop a healthy lifestyle through regular outdoor activities, which also develop children's gross motor skills well. For example, they regularly play outside in the garden. They access a range of suitable equipment to develop their physical skills, such as different sized slides, a small trampoline, runabout trucks and balls. Children also receive regular fresh air on outings to the park and on walks. They also go swimming. Therefore, children can develop control of their bodies through these activities. Children make good use of a suitable indoor environment. There is space to move around freely and develop their independence appropriately. Children are suitably nourished through receiving generally healthy meals and snacks, which include hot meals, such as jacket potatoes with cheese or tuna. On the day of the inspection the children ate apples and strawberries for their snack and

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

were offered sandwiches or noodles and cheese for lunch. They are able to access regular healthy drinks, such as water and diluted juices. This means children's dietary needs are met appropriately. In addition, there is discussion with the parents regarding dietary requirements and their wishes are recorded and followed through appropriately. Children's accident and medication procedures are generally well maintained. However, parents have not always been asked to sign the medication book after medication has been administered to acknowledge the entry, in order to fully promote medication procedures for children. The children are learning the importance of suitable hygiene practices. For example, they wash their hands at appropriate times and are actively encouraged to do so.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a home which is safe indoors and outdoors. They can move around independently accessing a range of varied equipment which is checked regularly for hazards. In addition, they are kept secure by the childminder's understanding of efficient supervision indoors and outdoors. Children are learning how to look after themselves well. For example, they are learning about safety through explanations from the childminder, such as whilst they climb the steps on the slide outdoors. They tell me that they practice the fire evacuation procedure and with some help can tell me how they practice it. Children are able to select a range of activities and resources that are stored safely. They are protected well through the childminder's good understanding of children's individual capabilities, such as if they need help on the slide or not. In addition, children's safety is protected and promoted as the childminder has a clear

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

understanding of how to protect children and whom to contact if concerned about a child. However, knowledge of the Local Safeguarding Children Board's child protection procedures requires updating to fully maintain this.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and they relate well to the childminder. The children's overall needs are well met, which includes different ages and stages of development. This means that the children are learning and enjoying becoming independent by choosing a broad range of activities. They learn different letter sounds outdoors as they play in the garden. For example, they see a bee and learn 'b' is for bee. They select a range of good quality toys and creative play materials, which are planned for in advance. However, the plans of activities are not yet fully in line with the aspects and approach described in the publication Birth to three matters framework, in order to further younger children's development. Children practice their knowledge of colours and count how many steps there are as they climb the slide. They observe the sunflowers that each individual child has planted and looked after. Children's thinking is encouraged well as they are asked

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

how they grow. Children are given time to think and answer. Books are varied, of good quality and easily accessible. Children benefit well as they are all included in activities. There is good communication between the childminder and individual children, such as whilst children pretend to read stories to each other. This means children's enjoyment and learning is enhanced. In addition, the children enjoy singing and using musical instruments. Children learn effectively from other stimuli indoors, such as number and colour displays. Children's art is displayed depicting a range of their work using paint, collage and crayons. The childminder is pleased to show the displays, which means children's individual achievements are valued well. The children also show their pieces of work and are proud of them.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's generally good behaviour is encouraged well by positive reinforcement from the childminder. For example, they are praised as they tidy up before lunch and after washing their hands. They learn appropriately about suitable behaviour. For example, they are given gentle reminders as they negotiate turns on the slide. This means children are learning acceptable boundaries through simple but effective explanations from the childminder. Children's individual needs are appropriately met. For example, they are all included in activities and have choice from a good range of overall resources. Children are learning appropriately about diversity, through a suitable range of play materials to promote a positive view of differences in our society today. For example, the children look at different cultural books and talk about them. Children's understanding of diversity is also developed appropriately through a range of positive

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

images, which are displayed. The children's consistency of care is promoted sufficiently as the childminder works

p.4

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 in partnership with the parents, by obtaining and providing appropriate written information. She also provides daily verbal information regarding their day and routine. However, to fully maintain this, knowledge of the complaints procedure with regard to new regulations requires updating.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from a safe, organised environment inside and outside, which enables them to develop independence and confidence generally well. For example, they carry out daily activities, such as moving around, exploring, selecting activities freely and playing outside. Appropriate documentation is available to promote and maintain the welfare of any child, and keep parents suitably informed about the service provided. Children's care is effectively supported by the childminder's knowledge gained from attending relevant training courses, such as first aid, Birth to three matters and multi-sensory training. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should

p.5

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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • continue to develop planning and activities in line with the Birth to three matters framework • update medication procedures to ensure parents sign the record book to acknowledge the entry • update knowledge on the complaints procedure October 2005 • update knowledge on the Local Safeguarding Children Board's child protection procedures.

p.5

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

p.6

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

p.6