Childminder in Bradford

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

302314 Unique Reference Number 23 October 2006 Inspection date Cynthia Walker Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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

p.2

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.

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 has been registered since 1993. She lives with her husband and child aged 15 years, her eldest child is at university at present. They live in a large house adjacent to a farm which is in the village of Oxenhope, near Keighley. She uses the ground floor for childminding which includes the lounge, dining room, kitchen and toilet. Children access a bedroom on the first floor for sleeping. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family pets include a cat, rabbit and guinea pigs. She holds an National Nursery Examining Board childcare qualification, and is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and when working with an assistant she may care for seven children. She is currently minding 10 children, most of whom attend on a part time basis.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well nourished by the inclusion of fruit and vegetables into their snacks and meals. Some parents provide food for their children and this is appropriately stored. Drinks of water are offered regularly to the children throughout the day. There are systems in place to record children's dietary requirements to ensure their individual needs are met.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing an understanding of personal hygiene as they wash their hands after going to the toilet and before lunch, however, the towel used for drying their hands is not individual to the children. The childminder has suitable documentation to manage children's accidents and administration of medication which she shares appropriately with the parents. The care of sick children is supported by a written procedure. The childminder sensitively enables children to have appropriate rest or sleep dependent on their individual needs and routines. Younger children are developing emotional well-being through loving and caring relationships.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are able to enjoy physical activity through regular access to the outdoor area. There is a suitable range of resources to help children acquire physical skills which include wheeled toys, pushchairs, a see-saw, sand and water and a selection of small equipment, such as bats and balls.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and secure environment where most risks have been identified and minimised. However, the hearth in the lounge and wardrobe mirrors in the bedroom are accessible to children and impacts on their safety. Regular fire practises reinforce the children's understanding of fire safety. Children are learning about keeping safe through clear explanations on how to go up and down the stairs and how to negotiate the step in the kitchen.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is providing a welcoming environment for the children in her care with resources arranged around all areas of play. Children can access a broad range of resources appropriate for the ages of children attending and which actively support their learning and development. Resources are stored in the utility room with children making personal choices throughout the day. The childminder maintains the safety of the equipment for children through regular cleaning and checks.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are effectively safeguarded because the childminder has a secure understanding of child protection procedures which are in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy being with the childminder and are interested and involved in the activities being provided. Examples of children's work demonstrate that they have been involved in a wide

p.3

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 variety of creative activities, such as sticking, bubble painting and printing. Children's experience is supported by visits to the local parks and trips to Bolton Abbey and Tropical World. The childminder's effective interaction and sensitive questioning supports children's learning.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are exploring sounds and developing their language as they copy the childminder during play, for example, 'have a cup of tea'. They are fascinated by the variety of animals they can see out of the window and the children listen and respond to the childminder as she highlights the names of the animals. Older children are confident communicators and delight in sharing their experiences from school with the childminder, such as going to Skipton Castle or going to the gardening club. Children enjoy exploring their senses as they roll and manipulate brightly coloured play dough. The childminder explains that they had made parkin pigs the previous day which the children then enjoy sampling for snack. Children use their creative skills to roll paint on to textured sheets which they print on to plain paper to produce interesting and colourful pictures. The introduction of previous pictures taken at the childminder's stimulates

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

older children to attempt to build a high tower, bigger than themselves. Children are confident in their responses from the childminder and are beginning to form relationships with each other.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a wide range of resources to support children's understanding of diversity which includes books, jigsaws, small world figures, dolls and dressing up clothes. Children's individual needs are discussed with parents and recorded appropriately.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave reasonably well in response to the calm and consistent responses from the childminder. Effective use of strategies, such as distraction enable children to continue to play harmoniously together. Children are encouraged to share resources whilst playing with construction. There is a clear written statement to support the childminder's management of behaviour. Younger children are developing self assurance from exploration within close and caring relationships.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder liaises with parents to ensure children are valued and receive appropriate support as they begin their care, by establishing their daily routines and individual programmes of care. The ongoing needs of children are met through daily sharing of verbal information. The childminder takes positive steps to ensure that parents are kept well informed about all the relevant policies and procedures.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. All the required documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and well-being is in place. However, the childminder has not ensured that the required training qualifications are maintained as she does not hold a current first aid certificate, which is a breach of regulations.

p.4

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 childminder has a clear professional file which includes a number of policies and procedures which are reflected in daily practice. She organises her space appropriately allowing children to feel confident and secure in their environment.

p.4

Organisation

Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was give two recommendations in relation to procedures for sick children and recording incidents linked to behaviour.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Children's health is enhanced by a clear statement on the procedures to follow if children are sick. The childminder has implemented systems to record incidents linked to behaviour to ensure the children's welfare and development is promoted.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

p.5

Complaints 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.

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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children • ensure good hygiene practices are implemented when children dry their hands after hand washing • ensure that the hearth in the lounge and the glass in the wardrobe are made safe or inaccessible to children.

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 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

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

p.6