Childminder in Bradford

Inspection report for early years provision

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302326 Unique Reference Number 11 February 2008 Inspection date Rachel Ayo 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 1989. She lives with her husband, who is also a registered childminder although not currently co-minding with her, and two grown-up children. The family lives in a property in the Moorhead area of Shipley in Bradford, West Yorkshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, along with a first floor bathroom. There is an enclosed rear and front garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered for a maximum of six children under eight years, or 12 when working with an assistant. She is currently caring for eight children under five during the day, including her four grandchildren, and five children over five who attend before and after school and during the holidays. The childminder is currently caring for children over eight years of age. Children attend a variety of sessions. The home is in close proximity to schools, shops and a park and is on a local bus route. The childminder walks and transports children to and from local schools. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association, is quality assured and holds the CACHE level 3 Diploma in Home-based Childcare.

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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. The childminder maintains a current first aid training certificate, obtains consents to seek emergency medical treatment and the first aid box is checked regularly to ensure that it is well stocked. These procedures mean that children are appropriately taken care of if they have an accident or become unwell in the childminder's care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are suitably protected from infection because appropriate health procedures are implemented overall. For example, children's noses are regularly wiped, young children have individual changing equipment and anti bacterial liquid soap is used along with separate hand drying arrangements. However, some young children were observed sitting on the kitchen floor to eat a bowl of raisins, given as a snack. This does not effectively promote good hygiene. Parents are well informed about the written illness policy, which includes the exclusion of children who are infectious. Children are involved in suitable routines, such as washing their hands before they eat, to help them learn to understand simple good health and hygiene practices.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are helped to learn about a healthy lifestyle. For example, older children help to prepare snacks such as the platter of fruit or freshly squeezed orange juice which they then compare to a carton of juice. The childminder explains that the children prefer the freshly squeezed juice.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered a variety of generally healthy meals and snacks throughout the day to promote their all round good health. Fruit and vegetables are incorporated into the children's daily diet and examples of meals include pasta dishes, fish fingers, roast pork or chicken and mash potatoes, sausages and couscous with salad and sliced meats. Very young children are offered drinks regularly and older children have ready access to these, which additionally promotes their all round good health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from fresh air and exercise as they take part in regular physical activity. This includes a range of outings, such as to the park, walking in the woods and music and movement sessions, for example, Indian dancing and Joe Jingles.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming environment where displayed artwork creates a pleasant visual impact in the kitchen. Space is organised adequately to meet children's individual needs. For example, children access creative activities in the kitchen and engage in general play in the dining area and conservatory. Overall, a satisfactory range of well maintained equipment is used by children to promote their development and meet their needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a generally safe indoor and outdoor environment because hazards are identified and minimised in most aspects. For example, hazardous substances are inaccessible, doors are kept locked for security and the gates to the front garden are secured when children play out. However, stairs are accessible to very young children and adequate supervision levels are not always maintained.

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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 Children are helped to stay safe on outings including through the use of a range of safety equipment. The childminder uses discussion to help children to learn to keep themselves safe, such as how to cross the road safely. The childminder regularly practises the emergency escape plan to teach children what to do in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded because the childminder understands her role in child protection. She has devised a policy to support procedures and is aware of a number of possible signs of abuse or neglect and her responsibility in passing on concerns in a prompt and efficient manner.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well settled and present as happy and confident; they readily say goodbye to their parents and immediately start playing with toys. Although the childminder plans a variety of activities and play opportunities and organises resources so that they are readily accessible, very young children do not always show an interest in these and wander around without purpose a lot of the time. The childminder has devised some good progress records and these are linked to the 'Birth to three matters' framework and include next steps to support young children's development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children sit and play with their dolls, brought from home, and clearly enjoy taking part in the collage activity as they choose which shapes they would like to stick on their paper. Younger children build on their natural curiosity as learners as they explore the objects of the treasure basket, especially those which make noises such as a metal bowl or crinkly paper. They experiment with the glue and collage materials, clearly enjoying this experience, in particular the glue.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children relate well to others. For example, older children cooperate with their peers as they share the collage materials. Children respond well to the childminder, who demonstrates a warm and caring manner. The childminder and her assistant satisfactorily talk to children about what they are doing. For example, the childminder reads stories, asking questions, and talks to children about their collages.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from a good range of activities to help them learn to appreciate and value the similarities and differences between themselves and others. For example, they take part in celebrating a range of festivals and observe positive images of diversity through books, role play resources and play figures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop good levels of self-esteem because the childminder acknowledges their achievements through praise and encouragement. Children learn to respond to appropriate expectations for their behaviour because the childminder's handling of behaviour is developmentally appropriate and positive reinforcements are used to promote good behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works in close partnership with parents overall to ensure that children have their individual needs met. Parents are asked to complete a 'This is me' sheet before their child's placement. This includes information about family and friends, things that their child does not like, how their child communicates and their child's routine in relation to eating and drinking. Questionnaires are also completed which enable older children to indicate how happy or unhappy

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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 they are with certain aspects of the setting by circling faces with different expressions. For example, they indicate what their favourite or least favourite things are, if they like the other children at the childminder's house and if they enjoy snack time.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are effectively informed about the childminder's routines and childcare practices because the childminder has devised a parent file which is shared before placement. This includes information about the childminder and the policies and procedures of the setting. Parents are also shown photographs and a range of additionally devised files which show how the childminder promotes outcomes for children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Daily diaries are maintained for young children to enable the childminder to effectively exchange information with parents on a daily basis, along with friendly chats at the beginning and end of each day. Parents' comments are valued and encouraged through questionnaires, which ask about how content children are in the setting, relationships, communication and additional comments. Parent feedback, both verbal and written, reflects very positive comments about the setting and care of their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are clearly at ease in the setting. Satisfactory use of time and organisation means that children take part in a suitable range of play and learning experiences indoors and a good range outdoors and on outings. For example, because the childminder is a member of a childminding network, children participate in interesting monthly trips, for example, to different groups. This promotes their social development and participation within the community.

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Organisation

The childminder has attended required training along with additional courses to further develop her knowledge and understanding of childcare. She has gained an early years qualification and quality assurance status to enhance outcomes for children. This demonstrates her commitment to continual improvement.

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Organisation

Generally adequate deployment of the childminder's assistant means that children are satisfactorily supported and adequate adult to child ratios mean that children receive generally sufficient levels of attention. Although assistants do not access any training, they generally have the appropriate experience and abilities to look after children when the childminder is present. However, they do not have the appropriate skills or training to care for children in an emergency on the occasions that they are left in sole charge.

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Organisation

The childminder has a wide range of documentation to support her practice. This includes a work in progress file, which reflects evidence relating to outcomes, and a number of detailed policies and procedures that work suitably in practice to promote satisfactory outcomes for children. Record keeping systems are generally well-organised, readily accessible and generally used to promote the efficient and safe management of the setting, promote children's well-being and meet individual needs. Although the name and date of birth of some children looked after on the premises is not maintained, which is a breach in regulations, all other regulatory records are in place. Attendance records are maintained, although they do not show when an assistant is present.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder received a small number of recommendations in relation to documentation and child protection procedures.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's welfare is further supported because the childminder has obtained child protection procedures and medicine records are detailed and accurate.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The attendance record is kept up-to-date and an accurate record is maintained of children's arrival and departure. This enhances documentation which is required to promote the efficient and safe management of the setting.

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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 taken any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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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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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 with regards to young children eating their snack • ensure that younger children are under the direct supervision of the childminder or assistant at all times and ensure that they do not have access to stairs • ensure that young children are suitably supported to ensure that they are involved in purposeful play opportunities that promote their all round development • ensure that a record is maintained of the name and date of birth of all children looked after on the premises and ensure that the daily attendance record includes when an assistant is present • ensure that any assistant has the appropriate skills, experience and qualifications, in particular when left in sole charge of the children.

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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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