Childminder in Bradford

Inspection report for early years provision

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302575 Unique Reference Number 03 January 2008 Inspection date Rasmik Parmar 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 1991. She lives with her husband and two adult children in a semi-detached house in a quiet residential area in Bradford, which is close to shops and within walking distance of local parks. The ground floor and bathroom on the first floor are available for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside 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. There are currently eight children on roll. Children attend a variety of sessions. The childminder attends a variety of playgroups, toddler groups and activity centres.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 good. Children are helped to stay healthy to a good standard as the childminder follows daily routines to ensure that children understand the need for good personal hygiene. Children independently use the bathroom and wash their hands using anti-bacterial liquid soap, drying their hands on separate, colour coded cloth towels. In addition, the childminder wears plastic gloves when nappy changing and disinfects the nappy changing mat with anti-bacterial spray, in order to maintain hygiene standards and prevent cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The welfare and safety of the children is promoted by an effective policy on administering medication. Parents are aware of communicable diseases through the sickness policy which includes the minimum periods of exclusion for illnesses.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good understanding of healthy eating and has ensured that children eat a balanced diet of foods. However, at present, parents take responsibility in ensuring that their children are provided with nutritious foods as packed lunch. Children are provided with healthy snacks by the childminder throughout the day, including a good variety of fruits. Children have also eaten foods from different cultures as part of broadening their experience of healthy eating. Furthermore, children have gone shopping to the local supermarket and meat market where they are able to pick items from the shopping list. Children have access to a jug of water, which they are able to drink as and when they are thirsty, as part of promoting independence.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures that children have a balance of rest and play. They access a range of physical activities as they select from a wide range of outdoor toys including bikes and scooters and when they walk and run in open play spaces. Consequently, they learn to develop their sense of coordination and control over their own bodies as their physical health and development is promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a warm, caring and child centred environment. There is sufficient space for the children to play in a safe environment. Children are able to explore and play with a varied selection of activities available to them, enabling them to expand their interests in many areas of play for an all-round development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good awareness of potential hazards within the house and has taken necessary precautions for the safety of children under her care. To promote an awareness of fire safety she discusses the fire evacuation procedure with children and regularly carries out a fire drill, in order to familiarise them with the routine.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

An effective system is in place to ensure the continued safety of the children on outings as the childminder obtains prior permission from the parents. The childminder uses safety reins for younger children on outings to ensure their safety. As part of continued awareness of general safety, children have participated in topic based activities on 'stranger danger', road safety and the need to wait at the pelican crossing, fire safety and there has been discussions on the danger of household chemicals. Most topic based activities result in a display of children's work to reinforce the learning.

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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 The childminder has a good understanding of the safeguarding of children. She has up to date action flow charts and relevant contact numbers in case she has any concerns to report. The childminder is aware of possible signs of abuse, changing behaviour, withdrawal and is able to record information in an incident book. In addition, the childminder has continued to update her knowledge of protecting children and has attended an intermediate course in child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and benefit from the childminder's caring approach. Children respond well to her because she uses good communication and listening skills and encourages their play in a supportive way in a family oriented setting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a varied range of learning experiences, both in the home and when they are taken for visits to local places of interest. The childminder actively engages children in the activities provided, demonstrating a good awareness of how to encourage their participation by using effective questioning techniques.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy participating in baking and simple art and craft activities as well as playing outside in the garden with the wide range of equipment provided.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Good quality resources are set out to foster children's ability to choose. Hence children enjoy the ability to self select resources that promote their all round development and can make choices and decisions in their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder follows the 'Birth to three matters' framework to suitably plan activities for younger children. She has attended training in this area and completed three modules to help her to record and evaluate her planning. However, the 'next step' necessary to further develop the child is not taken into consideration. Profile folders are kept for young children to include photographic evidence with a written description and examples of work produced by children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop a variety of skills by playing with a wide variety of arts and crafts materials, dressing up, watching children's video tapes, reading, imaginative play and playing outdoors. Children benefit from an all-round development as the childminder is outgoing and they have opportunity to enhance their social skills by going on outings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued as individuals as the childminder uses information from parents to meet the specific needs of the child. Equality of opportunity is promoted as all children are able to play with the full selection of activities without discrimination.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has good resources which positively portray gender, multi-culture and learning difficulties. Opportunity is taken in promoting the learning about the cultures of the local community in order to fully promote the children’s learning of the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good understanding of learning difficulties and disabilities. She talks to children about the differences that exist between people and uses resources to effectively promote this.

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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 are constantly praised for good behaviour, which helps to boost their confidence. Plenty of age appropriate and stimulating play opportunities throughout the day help to channel children’s energies in a positive direction. Children's artwork is displayed as part of enhancing their self-esteem and enabling children to take pride in their achievements. Also, older children are involved in developing their own 'house rules' as part of enabling them to learn how to manage their own behaviour with peers.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from positive relationships between their parents and the childminder as this promotes good communication and trust. Appropriate consents are maintained to promote the safety and welfare of children. Parents are invited to read the policies and procedures, which they sign to confirm that they have read and understood, to ensure that they are happy with arrangements and are in agreement with her practice. The childminder shares information with parents verbally at the end of each day, to ensure continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are able to move around freely and independently through the creative organisation of space and resources within the childminding home. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to her own personal development and she has attended numerous training courses to enhance her childcare practice. These include courses on 'food hygiene', 'behaviour management' and 'safeguarding of children'.

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Organisation

Good routines are established to ensure that children are secure and the childminder effectively organises her time to ensure that children take part in a wide variety of experiences including activities outside of the home.

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Organisation

Documentation is well organised, maintained and kept up to date. This supports the efficient and safe management of the provision and promotes the welfare, care and learning of children.

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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 recommended to complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children; follow the procedures for completing the medication and attendance record correctly; make the garden to the side of the house safe and secure and make safe or inaccessible the fireplace in the lounge.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has now attended a first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children, so that she has relevant knowledge to administer first aid promptly in the event of an accident. She now follows correct procedures for administering medication, which is appropriately recorded and now records the exact times of attendance of children, for the overall welfare and well-being of children under her care. The garden to the side of the house and the fireplace have been made safe as part of promoting a safe environment.

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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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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): • Develop the 'Birth to three matters' framework to take into consideration the 'next step' necessary to further develop the child.

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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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