Childminder in Bradford

Inspection report for early years provision

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302383 Unique Reference Number 12 October 2006 Inspection date Helene Anne Terry 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 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 has been registered since 1989. She lives with her husband and three adult children in a semi-detached property in Bradford, West Yorkshire. The childminder occasionally cares for children with two assistants. The whole of the ground floor of the home is used for the children, plus the bathroom on the first floor. The rear garden is used for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. At present she has six children on roll between the ages of one and eight years; most of whom attend for various sessions throughout the week. The childminder takes children to and from the local school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She regularly attends toddlers groups, and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 are cared for in a clean environment where their health and hygiene needs are promoted very well; owing to the childminder's stringent procedures. Children learn about the importance of brushing their teeth and washing their hands before meals and after visiting the bathroom. They are effectively protected from cross infection because of the clear guidance on the care of sick children within the sickness policy. Children also have their own face cloths that they excitedly choose each day from a selection depicting different characters, such as Mickey Mouse and the Little Mermaid.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy participating in activities inside and outside the home, which contribute to their good health. For example, they are taken on regular walks, use the play equipment in the garden and at the park to practise and develop their physical skills and coordination. They delight in dancing to the music and enjoy taking part in exercises, such as touching their toes. Children are able to rest and relax according to their individual needs, as there is comfortable seating in the lounge.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are met exceptionally well. They receive well balanced nutritional meals and snacks throughout the day. The childminder has a healthy eating policy that she shows to parents, and it contains sample menus of meals provided. Children enjoy choosing their meals when they go to the shops, such as chicken, spaghetti bolognaise with lots of fruit and vegetables. This enables children to make healthy choices. They have a junk food day on Fridays, when they can have crisps and cakes. Activities also incorporate food; for example, they talk about fruit that they can eat the skin, such as plums but not oranges. Children also enjoy learning about and eating foods from different countries, such as India, China, America and England.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder maintains satisfactory records to ensure children's health is promoted, such as accident, medication records and written permission to seek emergency medical treatment. Although parents sign records to confirm that they are aware of when medication is given to their child, they do not give permission in writing for individual prescribed courses. The childminder has completed a first aid course, which ensures that any accidents can be dealt with effectively.

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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 well organised, child friendly and safe environment. The childminder's regular risk assessments of her home are effective in identifying and minimising potential hazards. She has appropriate safety equipment in place, which enables children to freely explore and play independently. The childminder makes good use of available space giving children opportunities to engage in indoor and outdoor activities, and have time to rest according to their individual needs or routines.

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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 Children learn very well about their own personal safety. They take part in regular fire drills, learn about the hazards of sharp knives, and how to keep their environment safe by tidying up bricks on the floor when they want to dance, so that they do not hurt themselves.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Resources and toys are easily accessible in the dining room so children are able to safely select their own activities. Toys and play equipment are well maintained and meet safety standards. Children benefit from the child sized tables and chairs that they use for activities and meals because they make their environment more accessible, and promote independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected well by the childminder's very good knowledge of her responsibilities in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures, which means she can act quickly in the child’s best interest and safeguard their welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy participating in a stimulating range of activities, which engage their interest and meet their individual developmental needs. Activities are informally planned, and for the younger children take into consideration the 'Birth to three matters' framework and the curriculum guidance for the Foundation Stage. Older children are currently involved in building a large castle from recycled materials, and they have all enjoyed looking at different countries from around the world, including their customs and food they eat. Children have good opportunities to develop their social skills as they play alongside other children. Children are able to initiate their own activities and freely select from a range of toys and play equipment. They receive good support during play activities, and the childminder promotes children's speech and language skills through effective interaction. For example, the children delight in

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

looking at books on their own and with their childminder. They talk about what they see and retell stories in their own words. They engross themselves in role play, using their imagination as they feed the dolls, put them to bed and take them for a walk. Children take pride in their art work, as they draw pictures whilst waiting for their lunch, and happily ask the childminder to display their work on the fridge, thereby boosting self-esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have formed effective relationships with the childminder and their peers. They share considerably well for their young ages, taking turns and are cooperative. They display good manners saying please and thank you and are gently reminded when they forget. Children are happy and settled. They enter the childminder's home confidently as they say goodbye to their parents, and go to find their friends. They receive lots of cuddles and playful interaction from the childminder, which creates warm and trusting relationships. The childminder knows individual children well, which enables her to provide a suitable range of experiences and appropriate support.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel confident and relaxed in the childminder's care as they are valued and respected as individuals. Children are able to learn about the local community by going on regular walks

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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 and outings. In addition, they are developing a very good awareness of diversity within society through access to a very broad range of play equipment, which reflects positive images. For example, they draw with skin coloured crayons, look at interesting books, and play with a variety of dolls and play figures. Children have equal access to activities and their individual needs are very well met. The childminder has a good understanding of the information she needs to gather to ensure appropriate care is provided for children with learning and physical disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good awareness of effective behaviour management strategies, which are appropriate to the differing ages and stages of the developing child. She is calm and positive with the children, using lots of praise and encouragement to promote good behaviour and to develop a child's self-esteem. Frustrated young children are encouraged to talk about what is bothering them, instead of crying. Children benefit from having consistent boundaries, which enable them to negotiate with others and begin to take responsibility for their actions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder fosters positive relationships with parents. Information is regularly exchanged to promote continuity of care, and to ensure children are cared for according to parental wishes. Parents receive verbal information on a daily basis about their child's routines, activities and progress. They also receive a bi annual development report, which includes written observations and photographs. This enables parents to be fully involved in their child's care and development.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy and relaxed in the childminder's care. Children's individual needs are well met through the very effective organisation of space and resources. The childminder utilises her time effectively to provide children with opportunities to engage in activities both within and outside the home. Children have time to rest and relax according to their needs.

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Organisation

Children are kept safe due to the childminder's good awareness of vetting procedures for adults having access to children, and they benefit from her good experience and training that she does to update her skills and knowledge in the childcare field. Adult child ratios are met well. Children benefit from the support of two assistants who occasionally work with the childminder to enhance their care.

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Organisation

Records are held securely to enable children and families to benefit from confidentiality. There are some policies and procedures available for parents' information, and all required records and written parental permissions are maintained well. However, medication records require further information to be obtained from parents. The childminder's certificates are displayed clearly for parents' information. 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 it was recommended that the childminder improve her documentation and resources representing positive images of disability. Good improvements have been made to protect children and enhance their welfare. The Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures are now easily accessible, and children's development is recorded in the form of a six monthly

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 report to parents. Resources that positively depict disability in society are easily accessible including books, play people and creative work.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the 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. 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 good. 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 systems for the recording of medication by ensuring that written permission is received from parents prior to administering medication.

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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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