Whitaker, Diane

Inspection report for early years provision

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302587 Unique Reference Number 06 November 2007 Inspection date Anne Lakin 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 July 1989. She is registered to care for no more than six children under eight years at any one time. She is presently caring for seven children under eight who attend on different days of the week. The childminder lives with her two adult children in a semi-detached house in the Heaton area of Bradford. The family have two cats and a rabbit.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Local amenities, such as shops, parks and woods are all a short walking distance away. Transport links to the town centre are regular and the childminder collects children from one of the local schools. The areas of the house used for childminding are the whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden to the rear of the house available for outdoor play. Children have regular access to a local parent and toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has completed a playgroup leader training course.

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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 enjoy a good range of activities which contribute to their good health. Babies and toddlers have plenty of space to roll and crawl inside. They go swimming and attend the local play gym and toddler group where they can practise running, jumping and climbing. In the garden, there are activities to help children play in the fresh air and develop control of their bodies. For example, children climb on a climbing frame, balance on a seesaw, ride bikes, use bouncing toys and crawl in and out of tents. They can also dig in the sand and run races up and down the garden. When they are tired, children are able to rest and sleep according to their individual needs and the childminder offers comfort and cuddles as babies wake. This means that children begin to understand the importance of physical activity and having a healthy lifestyle.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing an understanding of the benefits of a healthy diet. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and the children's choices to provide a range of nutritious snacks, such as fruit, toast and crumpets. Babies and toddlers are given drinks in individual feeder cups throughout the day. They learn about healthy foods as they look at and talk about pictures of fruit in books with the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they begin to learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. The childminder helps toddlers use wipes to clean their hands before and after meals. Older children use wipes or hand wash products to sterilise their hands after using the toilet. When wiping babies noses, the childminder talks to them about why it is necessary to clean their noses. Children are well protected from cross-contamination because of the childminder's good routines for cleaning toys and equipment. Older children share in washing dolls and toys. This means that children's health and hygiene is effectively promoted through daily and regular routines. The childminder shares a written sickness policy with parents, so they have a clear understanding of the need to prevent infection and when children can and cannot attend. A procedure is in place to obtain parents' written consent to administer

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Helping children to be healthy

medication and seek emergency treatment and medical advice. Parents sign to acknowledge when medicines are administered but these records are kept on accident record forms. This means that the system for recording accidents and medication is not clear.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder identifies and minimises risks for children in the spacious home. This means they are able to move around safely, freely and independently. Children have access to a fully enclosed, safe and secure rear garden which is free of hazards, such as poisonous plants. Children are kept safe on outings. For example, the childminder takes children to venues which have been recommended by other childminders. Children are securely strapped into push chairs, wear wrist straps or walk alongside the childminder. They talk about road safety and toddlers also practise looking for traffic and shout 'clear'. On outings in the car, children sit in car seats or on booster cushions. This means that children begin to understand how to keep themselves safe outside the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently select activities from a wide range of high quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children's

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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 choice of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate to their age and stage of development. For example, she removes small pieces, such as the hats from small world figures so that babies and toddlers are not at risk from choking.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder safeguards and promotes children's welfare and has all the required procedures and documents in place. For example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate, has a fire plan, practises a fire drill regularly and has a secure understanding of child protection procedures in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board requirements.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are very happy and settled. The childminder makes positive relationships with the children and uses her sound knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework to promote younger children's learning. A written plan of the day is shared with parents when children register and information taken from the 'Birth to three matters' framework is available on laminated cards for parents to read when they sign the register each day.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children acquire new knowledge and skills covering all areas of care, learning and play through the wide range of high quality toys and activities. The childminder listens to children and gives cuddles, praise and reassurance according to their individual needs. Toddlers relate well to each other and play calmly, purposefully and concentrate for long periods. They learn to socialise with other children when they attend toddler group. Children become independent as they select musical toys, a wooden activity cube, bricks, books and shape sorters. The childminder praises children and claps as they post shapes into the shape sorter. Toddlers enjoy practising making marks using magnetic drawing boards and older children draw pictures of hospitals and write 'NHS' on their pictures. Children paint, stick and glue with glitter and leaves and draw with coloured pencils. They work on an innovative project to decorate the patio outside with

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

coloured glass beads. Toddlers build towers with bricks and practise counting to two with the childminder. They thoroughly enjoy musical toys, rocking and waving their arms to the rhythm of the music. The childminder supports children's imaginative play as she offers them a blanket to make a den. Toddlers cuddle up with the childminder to share books, sing songs, such as 'The wheels on the bus' or enjoy making up their own songs. The childminder uses routine activities, such as putting socks back on, to sing a rhyme about toes with children. This means that younger children are becoming skilful communicators and competent learners.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children develop a sound awareness of our diverse society. For example, they play with a wide range of toys, dolls, dressing up clothes and books that reflect different cultures and abilities. They make Eid cards and share food from different cultures which is contributed by parents. Children learn about the local community as they go to the play gym, toddler group and go swimming.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder meets children's individual needs well and has collected resources, such as memory games to support children with concentration difficulties. Children are cared for according to their normal daily routine as discussed with their parents. Verbal information is exchanged with parents each day. Children take their art work home and are frequently given photographs of themselves at play. However, the childminder does not have a means of sharing children's development and progress with

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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 parents. Children behave well and play harmoniously together, supported by the childminder's constant interest and involvement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are settled and secure and feel a strong sense of belonging. Their art work and photographs are displayed on the wall and children pose as the childminder takes a photograph of them in their 'den'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is fully aware of the complaints procedure. She shares this with parents and they have a copy of her complaints policy which includes details of the regulator. No complaints have been made, but there is no method in place for recording any complaints.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Space and resources are effectively organised to meet children's needs. They can reach toys and equipment easily from baskets around the room. The childminder rotates toys regularly for variety and to maintain children's interest.

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Organisation

The policies and procedures work effectively in practice to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. The childminder has a high regard for the well-being of all children and ensures that children benefit from the training she attends.

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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 previous inspection, the childminder was recommended to complete a first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children; to extend the range of activities and resources that promote equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice including disabilities; to devise and implement a system to record any incident of physical restraint and to keep a sufficiently well detailed record of significant issues that is shared with parents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

These recommendations have been addressed because the childminder has completed an appropriate first aid course; a good range of resources and activities that promote diversity is available to children; a positive behaviour policy is in place and is practised by the childminder; an accident record is maintained, information about children's dietary needs is recorded and verbal information is exchanged with parents on a daily basis.

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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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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): • devise a system for recording accidents and medication separately • develop a wider variety of ways of sharing children's achievements with parents • devise a system for maintaining a record of complaints which can be shared 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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