Childminder in Bradford

Inspection report for early years provision

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302409 Unique Reference Number 06 November 2006 Inspection date Dawn Bonica Brown 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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged 16 and nine years. They live in house in Baildon, near Bradford. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside 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 and is currently minding five children aged under eight years, on a part-time basis, of whom three are aged under three years. The family have a cat, a dog, a tortoise and a fish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes and collects children from the local school. She helps to run a toddler group and is a member of a childminding network.

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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 are gaining a suitable awareness of appropriate hygiene requirements through using facilities that are clean and through following suitable examples regarding hygiene routines. They remain healthy because the childminder follows appropriate practice, in most areas, to prevent the spread of infection. For example, pets are well cared for so that they do not present a hazard to children. However, children are not fully protected from cross infection in all areas, as uncovered waste paper bins where they play expose them to contact with used tissues.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is appropriately maintained through the proper maintenance of all the required records to ensure their good health. Their health is further protected because written information is provided to parents about their children's eating, sleeping and nappy changing throughout the day. Children are suitably cared for when they are ill and appropriate procedures are in place to protect them from contagious ailments. For example, children who are contagious do not attend. This acts in the best interests of children to protect all those being cared for. Their welfare and well-being are closely protected because the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. This means that she has the relevant knowledge to administer first aid promptly in the event of an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are suitably nourished. They help themselves to drinks whenever they want and receive a balanced diet throughout the day which includes fresh fruit and vegetables. Children are encouraged to eat well through positive reinforcement of healthy eating from the childminder and effective liaison with parents. They are encouraged to be active through regular exercise in the park, in the garden, on walks to school or on outings. They use appropriate outdoor equipment and on school holidays they enjoy using public transport to go on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a range of stimulating activities in an environment that is safe in almost all areas and the premises are adequately maintained in most areas. However, children's use of the toilet is not sufficiently well protected, as essential repairs to the toilet have not been carried out. Furthermore, the emergency exit for children through the rear garden is unsafe. Children's use of space is appropriately managed as they move around the setting with confidence and select toys for themselves so that their all round development is promoted. However, an item of adult sport equipment presents a hazard to children as it is located in the area where they play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to value their toys and treat them with respect as they use good quality toys. For example, books are in good condition and other toys and resources are in good repair. Their safety is suitably promoted through adequate risk assessments in most areas. For example, outings are well organised and children learn to cross roads safely through regular practise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are suitably protected from abuse through the childminder's understanding of child protection procedures. She is knowledgeable about the signs and symptoms to look for and is

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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 aware of the correct reporting procedures. Children's safety is suitably promoted because the childminder follows the guidelines from the Local Safeguarding Children Board and has a copy of the local contact numbers for reporting. This means that she can act quickly in the child's best interest to safeguard their welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are well settled and happy. They are highly involved in a broad range of planned activities and spontaneous events, such as learning about autumn through integrated activities. These involve outings to collect leaves and seed cases which are used to create collages. Their interest in nature and wildlife is fostered well as they learn about the habits of hedgehogs and squirrels, plant bulbs and grow plants from seeds.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident and learn to make decisions through exploring their environment freely. They help themselves to toys independently and their activities are varied in the levels of difficulty to ensure that all children obtain the maximum benefit from the activity. They benefit from the childminder's effective communication with their parents. For example, the childminder finds out about children's individual preferences so that she can provide suitable activities. Their progress is monitored through individual profiles that are shared with parents in order to further develop children's skills at home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the childminder's ongoing interest to develop her knowledge. For example, the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework is implemented well so that young children enjoy a stimulating range of tactile activities, such as playing with cornflour, making play dough, painting and collage. Young children's interest in learning and making discoveries is promoted well through play with treasure baskets. All children enjoy cooking and their enjoyment of spontaneous outdoor activities is fostered through experimentation, such as chalking on the pavement and painting with water, as well as playing with sand.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy in the childminder's care. They have good relationships with the childminder and with each other. They learn to be polite and caring about others because they are treated with respect and encouraged to care for the needs of others. For example, one child runs to get a tissue for another child who has sneezed. This behaviour is noticed and praised so that children feel good about themselves and continue to care for and support others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are happy with the provision. Their children are well settled and many have been with the childminder a long time. The childminder is responsive to their needs and provides them with both written and verbal information about their children's progress. For example, children's behaviour is managed well. The childminder has a well written behaviour policy which is shared with parents. Their improved behaviour is monitored and discussed with parents so that children feel a sense of pride and their confidence is boosted. Children's positive behaviour is maintained

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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 through the childminder's good relationships with parents as this contributes to consistency of approach.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued and included because the childminder listens to them, gives them choices and encourages them to develop good relationships with each other. This is achieved through encouragement to resolve conflicts themselves by making compromises that achieve satisfaction for all children. Their individual needs are met because the childminder gets to know children quickly so that she gains a good understanding of their individual preferences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children benefit from inclusive provision as the childminder ensures that the activities and resources are suited to the needs and abilities of all the children. They benefit from activities which help them to value diversity as they learn about people and cultures from around the world through child centred activities. Children learn to value the differences in society through play with resources that reflect positive images of cultural diversity, disability and gender.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are adequately protected by adults who are suitable to care for them. They receive sufficient adult support to help them feel secure and confident. Their welfare is adequately promoted, in almost all areas, through the proper maintenance of the records, policies and procedures which are required for the safe and efficient management of the provision.

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Organisation

Children benefit from care in a warm, welcoming environment. Their needs are given priority as the childminder organises her time around their routines. Their self-esteem and confidence is nurtured through praise and their achievements are valued. For example, the children's artwork is suitably displayed at child height for their benefit. 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 was requested to ensure that written parental permission is requested from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment for their children. Children's welfare is promoted through proper procedures being in place for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment for children in the childminder's care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was recommended to extend written information for parents to include any arrangements for using other childminders. Children's welfare is promoted through satisfactory alternative arrangements. For example, parents currently make their own arrangements for childcare if the childminder is ill. The childminder was further recommended to improve the organisation of documentation. Children benefit from improved organisation of the required documentation to promote their welfare as this are now stored in a well organised folder.

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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

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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.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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.

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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 hygiene arrangements by ensuring that children do not have access to waste materials • improve children's safety by ensuring that children do not have access to unsuitable equipment and that the emergency exit route is safe • ensure that all areas available for children to use are properly maintained.

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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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