Childminder in Bradford

Inspection report for early years provision

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302464 Unique Reference Number 01 November 2007 Inspection date Cynthia Walker 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 adult children in a detached house in a quiet residential area of Eldwick near Bradford. The childminder is within walking distance of local parks and shops. The ground floor is available for childminding and includes a dining room, kitchen, lounge and a toilet. Children access a bedroom on the first floor for sleeping. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The family have a pet dog. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently caring for seven children, all of whom attend on a part time basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well nourished with the inclusion of fruit and vegetables into their snacks and meals. There are systems in place to record most children's dietary requirements to ensure their individual needs are met. Children are able to access regular drinks throughout the day which includes the option of water.

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The childminder describes how older children would learn about their personal hygiene through normal routines, for example, washing their hands after going to the toilet. There are appropriate procedures in place to record children's accidents and for the administration of medication, however, the confidentiality of accident records is not maintained. Discussions with parents enable the childminder to sensitively ensure children have appropriate rest and sleep.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder explains that children develop their physical skills through access to the outdoor area. There is a reasonable range of resources to support the children's physical development which include a swing ball, wheeled toys, football nets and a sand tray. Younger children are developing emotional well-being through close and caring relationships.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder ensures that children are cared for in a secure environment where most risks have been identified, so that children can play safely. However, although the access to the coal fire is restricted, the poker remains accessible to children and impacts on their safety. The childminder explains how she helps children to learn about safety by implementing simple road safety on the journeys to and from school. Children's awareness of fire safety is reinforced by regular practises and discussions with the support of an appropriate story.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is providing a comfortable environment for the children in her care. Children can access a broad range of resources which are appropriate for the ages of children attending and sufficiently support their learning and development. Resources are accessibly arranged within the dining room which enables the children to make independent selections.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are sufficiently safeguarded because the childminder has an appropriate understanding of child protection procedures which are in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board. She has attended relevant training to update and improve her knowledge on child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy being with the childminder and are confident within the home and routines. Younger children are interested and involved with toys and resources which they explore and investigate. Children are finding a voice as they experiment with sounds as they chatter to themselves whilst playing with the toys. The childminder responds to the children through positive body language and actively repeats words and talks to the children. Children are developing an understanding of 'peek a boo' as they attempt to cover their faces with material which the childminder introduces and then look out expectantly. The childminder encourages children to develop their physical skills by changing the environment which enables children to successfully roll over and lift themselves on to their arms and make simple movements backwards. Children delight in grasping individual shapes attached to their supporting ring and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

experiment with sound as they scratch the surface of the cloth covering. The childminder interacts well with the children and introduces new resources to stimulate their interest and involvement in play. She explains that she extends the children's learning experience by visiting local toddler groups.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children develop a positive attitude to others through the provision of some resources which include a doll, books and small world figures. However, there are no resources available to enable children to value and respect the needs of children with disabilities. Discussions with parents identify the children's individual needs ensuring appropriate care can be given, however, information is not in place on all children's records.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder demonstrated a suitable understanding of behaviour management, explaining her expectations and how she encourages children to play cooperatively. She implements simple ground rules within the home which she encourages children to respect and respond appropriately.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder explains that she has developed an effective working relationship with the parents and actively welcomes parents into her home. Although the childminder is aware of the need to inform parents of the complaints procedure, she has no formal system in place. The ongoing needs of the children are met by sharing information informally with parents at the end of the day.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has most documentation in place to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. She has a positive attitude to training and has maintained the required training and attended other short courses. The childminder organises her home effectively which enables children to be confident in their environment and supports their play and learning. She manages her time appropriately to include visits to groups to broaden the children's learning experience.

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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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was given a number of recommendations in relation to the safety of the coal fire and utensils, the resources to promote disabilities and the awareness of child protection procedures.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has updated her knowledge of child protection procedures by attending relevant training which safeguards the children in her care. There is a fire guard in place to protect the fire grate, however, the poker is accessible to children which impacts on their safety. The childminder has had difficulty obtaining resources to enable children to value and respect the needs of children with disabilities.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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

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 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): • ensure the confidentiality of accident records is maintained • ensure the poker used for the coal fire is inaccessible to children • develop resources to enable children to value and understand children with disabilities • ensure records are in place for all children that contains information which enables appropriate care to be given • review the system for sharing the complaints procedure with parents.

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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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