Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY310912 Unique Reference Number 09 October 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 2005. She lives with her husband and two adult children in a semi-detached house in Bradford, West Yorkshire. The living room and the first floor bathroom are used by minded children and there is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding two children. The childminder walks to a local school to take and collect children. She attends two local toddler groups each week with younger children.

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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 day's routine. For instance, they wash hands after using the toilet and before eating. Children stay healthy because

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Helping children to be healthy

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 follows appropriate health and hygiene guidelines. The home is clean and tidy, thereby protecting children from infection. However, children are not provided with individual hand towels, exposing them to the risk of cross infection. 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 mealtimes and rest times met.

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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 co-ordination over their bodies. Young children are extremely confident and adventurous in their large physical play. They learn to climb and balance on frequent visits to toddler groups. When playing in the garden the children enjoy using the slide and wheeled toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have sufficient 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 gas fire is not used when children are present. 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 sound understanding of child protection issues 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 satisfactory. 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 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 in a variety of ways, such as constructing with Duplo, dance and role play. Good 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 the camera on a mobile phone. Children show advanced fine manipulative skills and shape

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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 recognition. Young children persevere very well in tasks, such as completing jigsaws with up to 30 pieces.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn about the world around them on regular outings to toddler groups. They thoroughly enjoy the novel experience of learning about travel, as they use public transport with the childminder. The childminder has recently completed training in the 'Birth to three matters' framework and has begun to implement what she has learnt in her practice. Young children are helped to develop their emerging language skills as the childminder talks about what is happening throughout the day. Children receive enthusiastic praise as they communicate with simple words and gestures, thereby promoting their further use of language.

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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. This is achieved through discussions and using a selection of toys and books that promote aspects of diversity. Children are introduced to foods from other countries, such as pasta, kiwi and pineapple. Satisfactory arrangements would be made to fully include children with learning difficulties.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved. They receive good levels of individual attention and are kept interested and occupied. 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 parents' wishes. Daily chats with parents ensure that they are informed about their child's progress. The complaints procedure is discussed with 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 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

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 high levels of individual support, time and attention from the childminder and her family. The childminder organises documentation well, keeps up to date records and has sought necessary written permissions

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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 from parents regarding the care needs of children. She holds a current first aid certificate which enables her 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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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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. 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): • provide separate hand towels for children • devise a system for recording any written complaints received from parents in line with current regulation.

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The quality and standards of the care

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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