Childminder in Bradford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY330413 Inspection date 22 June 2006 Inspector Stephanie Joy Bennett

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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 lives with her husband in a house in Cross Roads near Keighley, West Yorkshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside activities. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children. There are currently four children on roll. The family have a pet chinchilla, guinea pigs and a protected fish pond in the garden. The childminder regularly attends local parent and toddler groups. She takes and collects children from the local schools and nurseries. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and has just completed the 'Children Come First' quality assurance scheme.

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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 good. Children benefit from the very good standards of hygiene maintained in the home. They learn the importance of developing good personal hygiene skills through daily routines and discussion. They use individual towels to wash their hands, and are able to practise skills, such as wiping their own noses, which develops their independence. Children talk about brushing teeth and the importance of dental care through activities and daily interaction, but have no opportunities to brush their teeth after meals. Children are well protected from the spread of illness, due to clear sickness policies and procedures, which are shared in writing with parents. They play in a clean and well maintained environment where regular cleaning of surfaces, toys and equipment helps prevent the spread of infection. Children develop very positive attitudes to being healthy. They are offered a varied and nutritious range of meals. Older children access their own drinks, which develops

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Helping children to be healthy

their independence and an understanding of meeting their own needs. Activities, such as baking and helping to prepare snacks, makes eating a healthy diet enjoyable and promotes positive attitudes to eating well. Children get plenty of exercise through regular outdoor activities in the garden or local parks. Alternatively they can dance, crawl through homemade dens or play with soft balls indoors. They develop good fine physical skills because they have plenty of opportunities to stick or paint, cut with scissors, manipulate play dough and thread laces through beads.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The physical environment is safe, secure and welcoming for children. They benefit from the rigorous risk assessments completed by the childminder, which effectively minimises risk to children both indoors and out. Excellent record keeping of children's individual details and of when a child has an accident, ensures that children's daily safety and welfare is effectively managed. Children play with toys and equipment which are in excellent condition and suitable for the ages of children being cared for. The cleaning and maintenance of equipment is very well-organised to keep children free from hazards. They access activities easily and safely, which promotes their independence. Children are well protected because a sound child protection procedure is shared with parents, which includes the childminder's responsibility to protect children in her care. They develop a good awareness of how to keep themselves safe, as they are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

taught about road safety and carry out regular fire drills in the home. Children are protected in an emergency because the childminder holds an up to date first aid certificate and has clear emergency procedures in place.

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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 outstanding. Children benefit greatly from the well-organised and extensive range of activities available. The childminder is developing her knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework and carefully plans varied and interesting experiences, which encourage children to explore and investigate their environment. Purposeful interaction makes simple activities, such as cooked spaghetti, a rich learning experience. For example, a child under three is able to sort and count spaghetti strands into various different coloured pots and talk about the colours. He develops good mathematical skills as he chooses from using a 'big spoon or a little spoon'. He divides the spaghetti equally between the pots and then shares it out between adults. His language is enriched as he describes how spaghetti feels, using words, such as 'sticky' and 'wiggly'. He is able to develop fine physical skills as the childminder encourages him to twist the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

spaghetti around a fork. Children under three are able to explore treasure baskets containing various textural home-based equipment and interesting objects, such as 'light up' toothbrushes, pine cone shaped candles, and ribbon. They plant sunflower seeds and observe how they grow. Their outdoor environment is rich, as they look after fish in the garden and observe the sheep and lambs in next door fields, or watch the local steam train pass through the bottom of the valley. They develop their creativity further, as they paint, stick and play musical instruments. Spontaneous singing sessions and stories encourage children to develop good communication skills and help them to find a voice. All children have very good opportunities to use their imagination as they dress up, play shops and help at the supermarket. They use play tents and homemade dens to extend both their physical and role play experiences. Their development is carefully

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

monitored and shared with parents in well presented and attractive folders which contain children's art work and photographs, so that they continue to progress in the childminder's care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very settled and secure because the childminder finds out detailed information about their individual needs, such as their favourite toys and how they go to sleep and follows their daily routines closely. They are valued as they look at their own books of photographs and share these with parents. However, children's art work is presently not displayed in the playroom to further increase their sense of belonging and value. Children learn of other cultures and develop a good awareness of differing needs through the good range of resources available, such as African dressing-up clothes and small-world figures, which include those with disabilities. They contribute positively to the home environment as they help to tidy up, and are able to be independent in selecting their own drinks and activities, which suit their age and

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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 development. Children behave well due to the clear and realistic expectations which are set and shared with parents in a well written policy. They respond to praise and encouragement and learn to respect each other, as they are taught to share and take turns. Children benefit from the excellent relationships with parents. Clearly written policies and documentation are shared to maintain the daily safety and welfare of the child. Parents are able to work closely with the childminder in ensuring that their child develops well, because the childminder keeps good records of each child's progress and well-being.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The home is very well-organised to meet children's needs. Children can safely and freely access a full range of activities, at low levels in their own playroom. There is good space for them to sleep in a separate room close by and their daily routine is well planned, to include periods when they can be active or rest. The childminder pays good attention to ensuring that children are cared for by suitable adults, by keeping all records of persons in the household and her own training fully up to date. Children benefit from the childminder's high regard to own development, which is used to improve quality of care provided. All records relating to the care of children are extremely well-organised and maintained to a very high standard so that the daily safety and well-being of the children is managed effectively. Overall, the needs of the children who attend are met.

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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 see on request. The complaints record may also 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

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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 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): • further develop the environment to make it more welcoming and attractive for children, so that their sense of value and belonging is increased.

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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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