Childminder in Bradford

Inspection report for early years provision

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502969 Unique Reference Number 20 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 2001. She lives with her husband, adult daughter and one child aged six years in a house in Baildon, West Yorkshire. The ground floor of the childminder's house 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five all day, two children over five before and after school and one child over five during the school holidays only. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group. The family have two guinea pigs.

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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 benefit from suitable hygiene practises, such as the use of separate towels for drying hands which helps to prevent the spread of infection. They remain healthy because the childminder follows appropriate hygiene routines to safeguard their well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is adequately maintained through the proper maintenance of documentation regarding their health. Their good health is further maintained through appropriate agreements with parents regarding the care of children when they are ill. For example, children who are contagious do not attend. This prevents the spread of infection and acts in their best interests to protect all those being cared for. Their welfare and well-being are closely protected because the childminder holds a current and relevant 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 and take regular drinks throughout the day. They receive appropriate nutrition as the childminder works well with parents to ensure that children receive a balanced diet, which also accommodates their individual preferences. They are developing positive attitudes to mealtimes through their enjoyment of meals as a social occasion.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular physical activity through regular outings to places that are of interest to them. For example, young children visit activity centres, toddler groups and the park as part of a structured routine. They enjoy outside play in the garden in good weather.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a wide range of stimulating activities in a suitably safe environment. They play in premises that are well maintained and space is used appropriately, in most areas, to encourage their independence and to promote their all round development. However, the arrangement of some of the toys presents a risk as young children stretch to pull down toys from above their heads. Children play with good quality equipment that is suitable for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is adequately promoted through appropriate risk assessments in most areas. The exception to this is a trailing wire which poses a risk to children using the stairs. Children benefit from suitable safety features in the home, such as the appropriate use of stair gates to prevent their access to the kitchen. Children are gaining a suitable awareness of how to keep themselves safe through regular walks to and from school, when they gain an awareness of traffic and learn about road safety.

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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 sound understanding of child protection. She understands the potential signs and symptoms and the reporting procedures. Children are further safeguarded because the childminder keeps the local child

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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 protection contact details. 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 happy and settled. They are involved in a broad range of planned activities and spontaneous events which stimulate their imagination and creativity. Young children benefit from good interaction with the childminder, who fosters their development by establishing a well organised routine for them. This is achieved through a structured day which provides a secure framework and helps them to gain confidence. They benefit from plenty of flexibility and free choice within their routine which promotes their decision making skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children respond well to the childminder's interest as they receive her full attention. For example, she instigates play which encourages children aged under three to learn to share and to take turns. These include action songs, finger puppets, dressing up and games in which they interact with each other. Older children engage in arts and craft activities and games that are suitable for their stage of development. Children are confident and make decisions about what they want for snacks and what they will play with. For example, children aged under three decide when they want a story and select books that they want read to them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit greatly from the childminder's interest in their development as they are effectively encouraged to learn new words in their play. For example, as well as using a wall chart of colours, young children learn about colours in context as they use the chalk board to draw shapes. Older children identify days of the week and look at the weather through an interactive wall chart. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and young children benefit from good implementation of the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework to encourage their independence and broaden their experiences. For example, they experiment with tactile materials such as jelly, pasta and dough as well as play with treasure baskets.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children receive individual attention to meet their needs. The childminder knows the children well and works closely with their parents to provide appropriate continuity of care. For example, she finds out about their likes and dislikes and observes children to establish their learning patterns so that she can promote their positive behaviour. This helps the children in her care to settle well. They are gaining a suitable awareness of the feelings of others through clear explanations from the childminder and through examples of politeness.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are confident and happy and demonstrate a sense of belonging as they confidently select resources for themselves, make decisions about their personal needs and request activities, such as a story. All children are suitably included in the activities provided, as the childminder ensures that these are appropriately graded to allow them all to participate successfully. Parents are happy with the provision and receive appropriate information about the care of their children, both written and verbal.

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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 Children benefit from activities which help them to value diversity, such as celebrating festivals from around the world. They 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 suitably protected because the adults who care for them are suitable to do so. They receive sufficient adult support to help them feel confident and secure. Children play in a warm, welcoming environment, in which toys and resources are arranged appropriately, in most areas, to give them access to a wide range of stimulating toys and activities.

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Organisation

Children's welfare is adequately promoted because the records, policies and procedures which are required for the efficient and safe management of the provision are maintained suitably. The exception to this is the record of children's attendance for the school aged children which the childminder is unable to locate. This is a breach of regulations. Children's needs are given priority as the childminder organises their routine to ensure that they receive a suitable balance of activity and rest. 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 recommended to extend the range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practise to include disability. Children's positive awareness of disability has improved through the use of books and other resources reflecting disability.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was further recommended to obtain agreements in writing from parents for using other childminders. Children's safety has improved because parents have signed written agreements for their children to be cared for by other named childminders in the event of an emergency.

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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 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.

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Complaints 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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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): • reduce the risk of accidents to children from trailing wire on the stairs • improve the storage of toys to reduce the risks of accidents to children • ensure that records relating to childcare activities are always available for inspection by the early years child care inspector.

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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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