Childminder in Bradford

Inspection report for early years provision

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302546 Unique Reference Number 10 January 2008 Inspection date Shazaad Arshad 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 has been registered since 1982. She lives with her husband and adult son. The family lives in the Horton Bank Top area of Bradford. The minded children have access to the ground floor and the rear enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The area has good transport links and there is access to shops, children's play areas and parks. Schools and pre-school facilities for younger children are situated in the locality. The childminder takes children to and from local schools and pre-school groups as required.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children and she is currently providing care for four children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder effectively promotes healthy lifestyles for the children in her care. The children enjoy a broad range of physical activities, which ensures that they are provided with challenges

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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 that help them to increase their coordination, strength and balance. They have access to an appropriate range of outdoors toys and they are often taken on outings to local parks and activity centres where they benefit from free movement and exercise within safe surroundings.

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Helping children to be healthy

The premises are hygienic, and effective cleaning routines minimise the transfer of infections. For example, the bathroom and the kitchen are thoroughly cleaned before the children arrive and subsequently at set intervals during the session. The children learn about good personal care and the childminder ensures that antibacterial gel and cleansing wipes are always available on outings in order to maintain the children's good health. A detailed policy, which is shared with the parents, to exclude children when they are unwell means that the risk of cross-infection within the setting is minimised.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children benefit from a well-balanced and nutritious diet. The childminder provides the children with a large variety of home-cooked food, which contains a high proportion of fresh vegetables and fruit. Drinking water is available throughout the day along with a choice of milk or sugar-free juice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are cared for in a welcoming and warm environment. They have access to a dedicated play area where an interesting range of clean and safe equipment is freely accessible. The children have the use of most areas of the home and space is organised effectively to ensure that they can access a variety of activities in different areas of the premises. For example, the lounge is used for quiet times and watching television while the dining room and the playroom are used for more active playtimes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Toys are in good condition and conform to the required safety standards. The home is secure and the children are able to move around the premises safely. All medicines, chemicals or other hazardous items are stored out of the reach of the children and the childminder carefully supervises the children at all times. Appropriate fire safety measures are in place, such as smoke detection units and a fire blanket. However, not all of the children know how to deal with emergency situations because they have not been involved in practising the fire escape procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has good systems in place to maintain children's safety on outings. For instance, she uses safety equipment and her vehicle is fitted with a range of car seats that complies with the legal requirements. The childminder ensures that the children remain in her sight at all times. Additionally, she helps the children to learn about road safety and the need to take care when using physical play apparatus in public areas. The childminder has made contingency arrangements to cover unexpected events; she ensures that the children's emergency contact details and parents' telephone numbers are always easily accessible.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good knowledge of the signs and possible indicators of child abuse and neglect. She has attended child protection training and has a good understanding of the importance of recording children's injuries and reporting any concerns or worries that a child is being abused to the local investigating agencies.

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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. The childminder knows the children well and she takes positive steps to include them in a good range of activities that promote their learning and development. For example, the children are involved in playing games, completing puzzles, dressing up and using small world equipment to develop their imagination and problem-solving abilities. In addition, the children benefit from many art and craft activities that are designed to increase their creativity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are very confident and they enjoy the company of the childminder, who actively engages in the children's play. She talks and listens to them in order to increase their vocabulary and further their language and communication skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children have good self-help skills and they are confident within the environment. They are helped to prepare for the transition to school because the childminder provides a range of purposeful activities which help the children to learn about shapes, colours and numbers.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children are well behaved. They play together very well and they are able to share and take turns because the childminder implements clear and consistent boundaries that are age appropriate. For example, she talks to the children, offers explanations and provides consistent praise and support; consequently, the children are confident and demonstrate high self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children have access to resources that provide positive images of diversity and have many opportunities to learn about the wider community. For example, the children use the different dress up clothes and are aware of the traditional dance costumes used in Turkey and India. The childminder is committed to meeting the individual needs of children. She talks to parents at length to ensure that she has all of the details necessary to maintain children's health needs and lifestyle preferences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents have access to all the written policies and procedures which underpin the daily operation of the setting, and they receive comprehensive verbal feedback about their children's achievements and daily activities. Parents are treated respectfully and they demonstrate high levels of trust in the care that their children receive.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is committed to furthering her knowledge and understanding of early years issues through professional training. She has attended numerous courses, which have included inclusion training, behaviour management, safeguarding children and first aid. This has a significant, positive impact on the care and education offered. The childminder works very well in partnership with parents, who receive very good information about the provision. Parents are encouraged to share any views, ideas as well as personal information to ensure children's individual needs are taken into account. Children's individual records are regularly shared with parents.

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Organisation

All mandatory documentation is in place, which ensures the smooth and efficient running of the provision as well as promoting children's care, learning and safety.

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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 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 the childminder address some issues on safety and record keeping. All the procedures for maintaining records on accidents and medication are addressed as the childminder liaises closely with all parents to ensure that any medication given has their full signed consent and is documented clearly and accident records are completed in detail. The childminder has installed a fireguard and has moved all hazardous substances into a locked cupboard. The implementation of these recommendations enhances the organisation and safety of the care provided to the 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.

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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 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 all children practise the fire evacuation procedure.

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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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