Childminder in Bradford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY294652 Inspection date 02 June 2005 Inspector Rachel Ayo

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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 has been registered since 2004. She lives with her partner and child aged six months in a mid-terraced property in the Shipley area of Bradford. The whole of the ground floor is used for childcare purposes. Toileting facilities are on the first floor along with a bedroom which is used for both play and sleep purposes. Children have use of an enclosed yard for access to outdoor play. The family have a cat. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is

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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 registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time. The childminder is currently caring for two children under five on a part time basis. The childminder holds the National Diploma in Childhood Studies.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from a sufficient range of physical activities which contribute to their all round good health. Children go on local walks and access parks to help them develop their physical skills and confidence by using a variety of equipment. Children are able to rest and be active according to their needs and home routines. Children are helped to learn about good personal hygiene through good routines being implemented. Children wash their hands before eating, and after toileting and separate hand drying arrangements are in place. The childminder demonstrates adequate hygiene practices during the nappy changing routine. Children are sufficiently protected from illness and infection by the childminder's policy which includes the exclusion of children who are ill. Children benefit from a sufficient diet. They are offered some foods which promote healthy eating, such as, dairy products and fruit. The childminder discusses individual

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Helping children to be healthy

dietary requirements with parents to find out about children's likes and dislikes. She has a sufficient understanding of how she would meet any specific dietary needs, such as, allergies or cultural preferences.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and well maintained home. The environment is sufficiently warm, welcoming and child centred, particularly one bedroom which is used as a play area. Posters are displayed along with a notice board and a good selection of inviting, good quality resources and equipment. Space is organised well to allow children to be able to move around freely. Children benefit from a generally good range of safety measures and equipment. The childminder has identified most possible hazards to children within the home and has made these safe. For example, the cellar door is bolted, safety gates have been obtained, a fireguard is in place, and hazardous materials are inaccessible. Some aspects which promote fire safety are in place; smoke alarms are fitted at every level of the home and a fire blanket is accessible in the kitchen. However, the emergency escape plan is not practiced and one exit is not easily accessible.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

. Children's welfare is promoted to a good standard. Good systems are in place to prevent children from leaving the premises unsupervised. Very good arrangements

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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 are in place for the safe collection of children. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of child protection issues; she is aware of possible signs of abuse or neglect and is fully aware of the procedures to follow.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children present as happy and are well settled. They develop confidence and self-esteem as they are encouraged to choose their preferred activity or toy from easily accessible resources. Children show good levels of concentration and interest during their play. The childminder promotes children's learning in all areas by providing a good range of activities which are interesting and sufficiently challenging. Children develop creativity by playing musical instruments, engaging in role play with dressing up items and a tea set, and through a variety of arts and craft activities. Children relate well to the childminder and each other. The childminder has a warm, caring manner with the children and she shows interest in what they say and do. She sits at children's level to offer good levels of support. Children's intellectual development is supported well by the childminder asking them questions and by

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

responding to their questions. Children develop social skills by learning to sit and eat at a table and use good manners.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children adequately learn about diversity through the provision of a sufficient range of resources. Children learn to be kind, share and take turns through encouragement from the childminder. Children learn to take responsibility, such as, helping to tidy resources away before choosing something else. The childminder promotes positive behaviour and supports self esteem in some aspects through good use of praise. The childminder uses some good strategies to manage younger children's behaviour and help them understand right and wrong. For example, simple explanations appropriate to a child's level of understanding are used along with distraction. However, the childminder's awareness of strategies for managing the behaviour in some circumstances is limited. All children are treated equally and fairly and the childminder encourages children to access all resources equally. Children's individual needs are being met sufficiently

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Helping children make a positive contribution

through discussion with parents where appropriate information is obtained and recorded. There are good settling in procedures to help children to feel secure in a new environment. The childminder promotes positive relationships with parents and she appropriately works in partnership with them. Written agreements are maintained, however, written consents are not in place for transporting children, outings and to the seeking of emergency medical treatment or advice.

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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 The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises her time sufficiently to accommodate children's individual needs and routines. The environment is organised well in general to ensure that children are relaxed and feel at ease. As a result of this children are confident to initiate their own play and learning. Policies and procedures are generally implemented appropriately to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. The childminder has attended appropriate childminding training. Most documentation is in place and maintained sufficiently to promote organisation and safe management of the provision. However, the daily attendance record is not kept up to date. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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): • improve fire safety by practicing the emergency escape plan and by ensuring that exits are easily accessible • ensure that the daily attendance record is kept up to date • increase awareness of strategies to manage a wide range of children's behaviour • ensure that appropriate consent forms are obtained for transporting children, outings and to the seeking of emergency medical treatment or advice

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and

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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 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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