Childminder in Bradford

Inspection report for early years provision

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302154 Unique Reference Number 16 May 2007 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 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 has been registered since 1991. She lives with her husband and two children aged over 16 years in a semi-detached property in Bradford, West Yorkshire. The whole of the downstairs of the home is used for the children, plus the bathroom and main bedroom on the first floor. The front 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 12 children on roll between the ages of one and 11 years; most of whom attend for various sessions throughout the week. The childminder takes children to and from the local school. The family have a cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Bradford 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 benefit from a clean and well maintained home. They are developing a suitable awareness of personal hygiene as they wash their hands before meals and after toileting. The childminder minimises the risk of cross infection well through the regular cleaning of toys, wiping of the nappy changing mat and children use individual wipes for their hands and face. Children who require a rest during the day have their own sheets for the cot. Pet hygiene is fully considered. Parents are informed that children who are ill should not attend the setting, this further prevents cross infection promoting children's well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are met well. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of the nutritional needs of children to offer them a good balanced diet. They enjoy a full cooked meal at lunch time, for example shepherds pie and vegetables. Children delight in making their own desserts, such as mousse. They take turns in whisking the mixture and concentrate hard as they spoon it out into their individual dishes and decorate it with coloured sprinkles. Children are given some healthy choice at snack time, such as fruit, although they do receive crisps and biscuits. Drinks are accessible throughout the day in their own cups. Information about children's dietary needs is obtained from parents and is met well by the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy good physical activity during the day to benefit their health. They play on equipment in the park, go for walks and play in the garden. Documentation that is in place to protect children's welfare is maintained very well. Most required documentation, including written parental permissions for emergency medical treatment, outings, sun cream and photographs are all in place. Medication and accident records are also available. The childminder has an up to date first aid certificate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The home is used well for the needs of the children. Different areas are used for the many different activities provided and this enables older children to take part in activities that are not suitable for younger children; for example, playing with small pieces and bricks. The childminder ensures that children are cared for in a setting that enables them to feel secure and comfortable within their surroundings. Good steps are taken to minimise risks and all safety equipment is in place to protect children. For example, a fire blanket and smoke alarms are in place and all chemicals are out of reach. Children also gain an awareness of their own personal safety when they learn about road safety and discuss the fire evacuation procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a very good range of resources and equipment available for the children to foster all areas of their development. They freely select from the range made available to them in the conservatory and dining room, and ask for other items they cannot easily access.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of child protection, although there are weaknesses in her procedures. She has contact details for the local authority; however her procedures have not been updated to reflect the Local Safeguarding Children Board and she is not clear on procedures to follow should she or members of her household be accused of abuse. Parents are informed of the childminder's responsibilities towards children in her care.

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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. An interesting varied routine is followed to enrich children's well-being. They have time for rests, meals and activities indoors and outdoors. The childminder plans the day so that she can give the older children individual attention whilst the younger ones sleep. This gives them opportunities to play with resources not suitable for toddlers. Children relate very well to the childminder owing to the close relationship established. She spends most of her time engaged in children's play and extending learning. Children are happy and settled and enjoy their time together.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is aware of the 'Birth to three matters' framework to support young children's learning, and uses some aspects of this to inform the planning of the activities. Children choose from a very good range of stimulating activities. These resources promote the children's learning and contribute to their overall development. The children immensely enjoy making dens using the dining room table and blankets and observe changes to light and dark when they use the torch. They build using small construction pieces and a train track and look at books with the childminder and other members of the family. Children develop their imaginative skills as they dress up as police officers, fire fighters and princesses.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are met effectively to promote their well-being. Information is obtained from parents at their induction and is adhered to. Children are gradually settled to ensure a smooth transition from home. There are effective systems in place to ensure information is shared on a regular basis about their child's progress and daily activities, for example through daily chats. The children display and take home creative work that they have done so as to inform parents of their activities. There are some written policies and procedures about the setting that are shared with parents, such as child protection, behaviour management and emergency plans. This promotes the two processes in caring for children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Effective strategies are in place to encourage children to behave well. For example, children are praised for their achievements, and the occasional sibling squabbles are smoothed over by calmly talking to the children, encouraging sharing, empathy and by using distraction. Children are generally well behaved owing to the childminder's involvement in play and they display good manners.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder actively promotes children's understanding of the wider community through activities and resources that positively display some areas of diversity in society. For example, children play with dolls of different ethnicity and they look at books about different people including those with disabilities; however, these are limited. The childminder supports children with disabilities well and works alongside parents to ensure that children reach their full potential.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The majority of the required records to promote the welfare of children are well maintained; they are easily accessible, filed neatly and are stored confidentially. However, the complaints

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 procedure has not been updated in line with the changes to the National Standards in October 2005. This is a breach of regulations.

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Organisation

The childminder organises space and resources to meet the needs of the children very well. As a result, children feel at home and at ease. Children are kept safe due to the childminder's good awareness of vetting procedures for adults having supervised or unsupervised access to the children. Children are never left alone with unvetted adults and children are not allowed to leave the setting with unauthorised adults. The children benefit from the childminder's good experience in caring for children having been a childminder for sixteen years. The childminder attends training to update her knowledge and enhance the care she provides for 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 it was recommended that improvements were made to documentation and resources representing positive images of disability in society. Some improvements have been made to enhance welfare. The procedure for the recording of accidents has been improved owing to the childminder obtaining new documentation specifically set out to ensure the correct details are recorded. She has obtained some books reflecting positive images of disability; however these are limited. The childminder has a complaints procedure that she discusses with parents; however, this has not been updated to reflect the changes to the National Standards in October 2005.

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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 complaint 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 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): • obtain a copy of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and develop further knowledge of procedures to follow should a member of the household be accused of abuse • update the complaints procedure in line with changes to the National Standards in October 2005 • continue to extend resources that positively represent disability in society.

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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 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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