Childminder in Bradford

Inspection report for early years provision

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302542 Unique Reference Number 29 January 2007 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 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 was registered in 1992. She lives with her husband and two adult child. They have a semi-detached house in a quiet residential area of Bradford, which is close to shops and within walking distance of local parks. The ground floor and bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play and the family have two cats. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding seven children, one of whom is over eight. The childminder is a qualified nursery nurse. During term time, daily visits to play group are undertaken with children, and each school holiday, a variety of outings are organised.

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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 learn about simple good health and hygiene practises as part of the day's routine. They wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. Children remain healthy because the childminder follows appropriate health and hygiene guidelines. The home is clean and tidy thereby protects children from infection. Children are provided with individual hand towels to safeguard them from the risk of cross infection. The childminder acts in the best interests of children when they are sick and does not care for any children who have 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 snacks, such as fresh fruit and cheese. The meals for children are provided by their parents. Children's health benefits from having their need for regular meal times 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. Children learn to climb, pedal and balance on visits to parks and playgroups, and when playing in the garden. Children have fun dancing and moving their bodies at playgroup as they join in with action rhymes and songs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children move around safely and freely in a secure and safe environment; both indoors and outdoors. Potential risks are identified and minimised by the childminder and she is constantly vigilant about keeping children safe. All safety features are in place or are available for use in the areas of the home where children have access. Safety gates are used appropriately, the back garden is fully enclosed and all electric sockets are protected. Children are beginning to learn about keeping themselves from harm. They practise fire drills and are taught how to cross roads.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use a range of safe, good quality, developmentally appropriate toys and equipment, which helps to keep them from harm. Children can safely reach toys which are set out for them as these are available at child height in the living room and the hallway; which promotes a degree of independence and decision making. Further toys are available in one of the bedrooms and in the garage. These can be requested by children and the childminder will get them. Toys are regularly rotated for children to provide suitable challenges and to sustain their interest.

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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, in order to meet the welfare needs of children. She has a procedure to follow should the need arise, but does not have the latest guidance provided by the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled. They benefit from having their individual needs met within a warm and caring relationship; which contribute to their sense of belonging. Children gain good levels of self-esteem in their environment where they experience consistent support, praise and encouragement. They benefit from regular routines that are planned around their needs which increases their emotional well-being.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children experience an extensive range of activities both inside and outside the home. The 'Birth to three matters' framework is sometimes used by the childminder to plan activities for younger children. Each week children attend a toddler group with their childminder, which fosters communication, creativity, physical skills and expands their experience and understanding of the wider world. Children freely express their creativity through a variety of media including music, drawing and painting. The childminder is a qualified practitioner and skilfully uses everyday situations to extend children's mathematical development, such as counting the pieces of a jigsaw. A strength of the setting is the variety of outings that are planned for children. They are taken to farms, parks, adventure play areas, the seaside, museums and have visited a fire station. Thus children learn about the world around them and benefit from being out in

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's language and communication skills are good. Young children communicate most effectively, with simple sounds and gestures to which the childminder is very well attuned. Children receive good levels of attention from the childminder who talks to them as they play and explains what is happening as they watch appropriate television programmes. Children are encouraged to recall past events which helps them to develop their memory skills. The childminder gives children who are hesitant speakers, plenty of time to complete their sentences. As a result children are confident communicators.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn well how to appreciate similarities and differences and develop positive attitudes to others. They have access to a selection of toys and books that positively depict aspects of other ways of life in the wider community. Children from different ethnic backgrounds are very warmly welcomed and festivals from around the world are celebrated at playgroup. Suitable arrangements to accommodate children with learning difficulties would be made, should the need arise. Children learn first hand about disability as they talk freely to wheelchair users when out and about with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well-behaved. They receive high levels of individual attention and are kept interested and occupied. Children are polite and considerate due to the good example set by the childminder. Choices are given to children, they select their preferred activities and choose whether or not their fruit is peeled. Good use of praise and encouragement builds children's self-esteem and they are confident and self-assured. Children are encouraged to consider the needs of others and have done a sponsored walk to help raise funds for the playgroup.

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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 the effective partnerships which are established with parents. They are happy and settled with the childminder because suitable introductory visits are made. The childminder records full details about children before they start, thereby promoting continuity of care and their well-being. Written permissions are sought regarding their child's needs, thereby ensuring that the children are cared for according to parents' wishes. Regular discussions with parents about the children's daily activities and progress take place, and development records are kept for each child.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. 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. They move freely between activities in the living room and hallway, and can independently reach the toys that are set out for them. The children receive excellent levels of individual time and attention from the childminder.

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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. The childminder organises her documentation well to ensure confidentiality. She keeps up to date records but the arrival and departure times of children are not consistently recorded. All written permissions from parents regarding the care needs of children are kept.

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Organisation

The children benefit from the childminder's good underpinning knowledge and experience in child development. She is committed to ongoing training to enhance the service she provides for the children. Early years publications and information from the internet are used by the childminder to extend and develop her good practice. The range of policies and procedures are used very effectively to promote the welfare and care of children. 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 a recommendation was made for the childminder to enhance her knowledge of childcare. Improvement has been made and the childminder has completed training in the 'Birth to three matters' framework. She implements this additional knowledge effectively to help with planning activities for the younger children.

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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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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 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): • ensure that an up to date child protection policy is maintained which reflects the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance • consistently record arrival and departure times of children on a daily basis.

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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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