Childminder in Bradford

Inspection report for early years provision

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958021 Unique Reference Number 31 August 2006 Inspection date Ingrid Szczerban 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 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 was registered in 2001. He works with his wife who is also a registered childminder. They have a semi detached house in the village of Eldwick, in West Yorkshire. There are two adult children and a child aged 14 who may be on the premises during the school holidays. The family has three dogs. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, and twelve when working with his wife. Together, they currently care for five children. The whole of the ground floor is used and two front bedrooms on the first floor may be used for sleeping children. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is a member of the Bradford Childminding Network and regularly attends toddlers and playgroup with the children.

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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 satisfactory. Children learn about simple good health and hygiene practices as part of the days routine. For instance, they wash hands after using the toilet and before eating. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows appropriate health and hygiene guidelines. The home is clean and tidy thereby protecting children from infection. However, children are not always provided with individual hand towels exposing them to the risk of cross infections. The childminder acts in the best interest of children when they are sick and does not care for children when they have any contagious diseases.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with regular drinks and food in adequate supply in order to meet their needs. These include healthy and nutritious foods, such as fresh fruit for snacks. Children's health benefits from having their need for regular meal times and rest times met. Children know where food comes from, readily stating that bread is made from wheat which is made into flour and then into bread.

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Helping children to be healthy

Robust physical activity is enjoyed by children. Each day they walk to and from school which helps to build their stamina and develop a sense of control and coordination over their bodies. Children learn to climb and balance on visits to parks and adventure play areas. Babies develop their physical skills, such as sitting, stretching and rolling over in the ball pool.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have ample space to move around freely in a secure and safe environment in the home. The risk of accidental injury to children is minimised as necessary precautions are taken to keep children safe on and off the premises. The garden is fully enclosed and the dogs have a separate run in the garden. Children have free access to their toys which are stored at child height to enable independence. Sufficient, suitable and safe resources are provided for the ages of the children attending, thereby keeping them from harm. All children are encouraged to help to keep themselves safe. For instance, they know that leaving toys on the floor can be dangerous and they help to tidy up. Children are learning how to keep themselves from harm, because the childminder teaches them about road safety and implements effective procedures on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues. He has attended relevant training and has written procedures to follow should the need arise. Therefore, children's welfare needs are fully addressed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident in their warm relationships with the childminder. They are happy and settled, deriving benefit from established routines planned around their needs which contributes

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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 to their emotional well-being. Daily outings are undertaken and children have regular times for snacks, meals and rest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children experience a range of activities both inside and outside the home. They express their creative ideas very well in a variety of ways, such as dance, painting and small world play. Excellent support and meaningful praise from the childminder raises children's confidence in their own abilities. They are developing good technology skills as they are shown how to operate audio equipment. Older children can listen through headphones and follow instructions. They have great fun identifying animal noises from listening to tapes which develops good concentration skills. Children enjoy looking at books with the childminder who gets down to their level and asks questions to make them think. Visits to local attractions and adventure play areas fosters children's large physical skills, such as running, balancing and climbing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children communicate very well, using language fluently with each other and with the childminder. They are given undivided attention and are encouraged by the childminder to listen to and value the opinions of others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children begin to appreciate similarities and differences and develop positive attitudes to others because a selection toys and books that promote aspects of diversity are provided. Children occasionally eat food from other countries, such as vegetarian curry. Good arrangements are made to fully include children with learning difficulties. This includes completing relevant training to meet individual children's needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well-behaved and polite, in response to the expectations of the childminder. Children are given choices to select their preferred activities and learn to take responsibility as they help to tidy away their toys. Good use of praise and encouragement builds children's self-esteem and they are confident and self-assured.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnerships that are established with parents. Children are happy and settled with the childminder because gradual introductory visits are made. The childminder records full details about children before they start, thereby promoting continuity of care and ensuring that children are cared for according to parent's wishes. Daily journals and chats with parents ensure that they are informed about their child's progress. The complaints procedure is displayed for parents but there is no system for recording any written complaints that may be made by parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Space is effectively organised to meet the needs of the children so that they are able to initiate and extend their own play and learning. Routines are organised effectively around the needs of children so that their needs are met. Most of the required documentation for the efficient and safe management of the setting, and to promote the welfare and care of children is satisfactorily maintained.

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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 Children are kept safe due to the childminder's good awareness of vetting procedures for adults and adult child ratios are maintained appropriately. Children receive good levels of individual support, time and attention from the childminder. The childminder organises documentation well, keeps up to date records and has sought necessary written permissions from parents regarding the care needs of children. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate which enables him to take appropriate action in case of any accidents to children.

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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

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to improve documentation and the accessibility to all records. The childminder has obtained suitable insurance, permission in writing from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment, and for transporting children in a vehicle, thereby improving the welfare needs of children. All required records are now readily available for inspection to ensure the efficient and safe management of the provision.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints to report since the last inspection. 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 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): • make available separate hand towels for children • devise a system in line with current regulation for recording any written complaints made by parents.

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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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