Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY256902 Unique Reference Number 01 December 2006 Inspection date Ingrid Szczerban 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 good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and four children aged six,eight, 10 and 12. Her husband works as an assistant childminder. They have a semi-detached house in the Bolton area of Bradford. Most of the ground floor, comprising a lounge, dining room and a conservatory is used by children. A fully enclosed garden is available for outdoor play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and, when working with an assistant, a maximum of six children may be cared for. There are currently eight children on roll. The childminder takes and collects children from school, attends playgroups, visits the park, takes children swimming, and goes to the library on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and is a qualified child carer.

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 good. Children learn about simple health and hygiene practices as part of the day's routine. They wash hands after using the toilet, after playing out and before eating. The home is clean and tidy thereby protecting children from infection. Anti-bacterial soap and individual hand wipes are provided. 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.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with regular drinks and mainly home-cooked food in good supply to meet their needs. These include a variety of organic, healthy and nutritious foods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables. Children are interested and involved in the preparation of food which adds to their knowledge of what is good or bad for them. They go out for meals with the childminder to experience foods from other countries. Children's health benefits from having their need for regular meal times and rest times met.

p.3

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. Children are extremely confident and adventurous in their physical play. They go swimming each week and young children develop their newly acquired walking skills. Older children love bouncing on the large trampoline in the garden when they come back from school, which increases their heart rate, builds muscle tone and improves their balance.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Good use is made of the space available. Children have the freedom to move around virtually all of the ground floor as they wish, so that they can make choices and initiate their own play. Their toys are stored at child height in the conservatory to promote independence. Further supplies are kept in the playhouse outside are rotated to sustain interest and to ensure that children have plenty of space to play safely indoors. Children play out in the garden all year round which generates a sense of freedom and well-being.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A wide range of toys and equipment which are safe, developmentally appropriate and of good quality, help to keep children safe. Young children use booster chairs safely as they are secured with the harnesses. Children are kept safe because all equipment is checked by the childminder as it is used. The childminder has fully considered and minimised all potential hazards both on the premises and when taking children on outings. Children are learning how to keep themselves safe as they help to tidy up and practise the fire drill.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has good knowledge of child protection issues and how to report any concerns. She has attended relevant training and is fully able to meet the welfare needs of children.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident in their warm relationships with the childminder. They are happy, very well settled and benefit from regular routines planned around their needs which contributes to their emotional well-being. Children have a good sense of belonging within the setting as high priority is given to meeting all their care needs.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children experience a good range of activities both inside and outside the home. They create and express themselves using play dough, painting, drawing and playing with water. Young children communicate their needs effectively using simple sounds and gestures. Further language development is promoted using books, singing and rhyme with children. Older children develop their knowledge of technology using computers and mobile phones. Children are helped to develop a sense of time, stating readily that it is Friday and the month is December. Children have good fine manipulation skills. They press buttons on the computer, turn the pages of books and use cutters and rolling pins with good dexterity.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A strength of the setting is the excellent variety of outings which are arranged for children. Children visit farms, the fire station, the industrial museum, churches and travel by train with the childminder. They experience the changing seasons as they walk through piles of fallen leaves in autumn and talk with their childminder about what is happening. Such outings provide invaluable opportunities for children to increase their knowledge and understanding of the world around them.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Resources and activities positively represent individuals from the wider community which helps children develop a very positive attitude towards others. High value is given to the customs and cultures of other countries. Children learn about the world and experience diversity through visiting Sikh temples and mosques. They know about other ways of life because the childminder raises their awareness through celebrating a variety of festivals, such as Christmas and Eid. Children are taken to restaurants to experience foods from around the world. Effective arrangements are made to support children with learning difficulties.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and get on well together because the childminder teaches them to respect and consider the needs of others. Younger children are beginning to learn how to share toys. Excellent use of praise and encouragement is provided to boost children's confidence and self-esteem. Children are given choices; they select their preferred activities and receive good support from the childminder and her assistant. This promotes children's independence and decision making skills.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnerships that are established with parents. They 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. Many written procedures,

p.4

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 including how to complain, are given to parents, so that they remain well informed about the service provided.

p.4

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. However, the specific times when the assistant has sole charge of children, are not stated in the contracts with parents. There are a number of written policies which are given to parents, including a sickness policy. This policy lacks clarity regarding exclusion periods following contagious illnesses, which results in children returning to the childminder when they may not be fully recovered.

p.5

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 assistant. The children also benefit from the childminder's good underpinning knowledge and experience in child development, as she holds a level 3 qualification in childcare and education and continues to extend her training to enhance the service she provides for the children.

p.5

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 recommendations were made regarding safety and documentation.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Safety for children has been improved by replacing a glass door with another door that does not have any low level glass. Documentation has been improved by including policies for health and safety, and behaviour management. The recording of accidents now contains sufficient detail and each entry is countersigned by parents, thereby confirming that they have been informed.

p.5

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.

p.5

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

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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): • develop the written sickness policy to make it clear for parents what the different types of infectious illnesses are, and to state the minimum length of time that a child must remain at home • seek parents written agreement regarding the specific times when an assistant may have sole charge of children.

p.6

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

p.6

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