Childminder in Bradford

Inspection report for early years provision

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302601 Unique Reference Number 06 November 2007 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 November 2001. She lives with her husband and two children in a quiet residential area of Wyke, Bradford, which is close to shops and within walking distance of local parks. The ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor is 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 five children at any one time. There are currently nine children on roll. Children attend a variety of sessions. The childminder attends a variety of toddler groups and the library.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have two rabbits, three guinea pigs, nine hens and two dogs as family pets.

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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 learn about simple personal hygiene practices as part of their everyday routines. For example, older children wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating their meals, drying their hands on paper 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. Also, good standards of hygiene are maintained as the family have a large number of pets, including poultry and the dogs receive flea and worm treatment every six months.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the requirements for administering first aid and medication. She has a good policy on sickness and the parents are fully aware of the incubation periods for notifiable diseases so that children are protected.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children eat and drink healthily as they enjoy a good range of meals, cooked at home by the childminder. Healthy meals include a good proportion of vegetables and meat or fish. The childminder displays the menu on the fridge as part of informing parents of the types of foods their children are eating. Children eat healthy snacks, which includes fruit and sandwiches. Older children have independent access to drinking water and younger children are provided with beakers of water or juice. Hence, children's nutritional needs are well met, providing them with energy to grow and develop.

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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 push-along toys and walk and run in open play spaces. Consequently, they learn to develop their sense of co-ordination 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 cared for to a good standard in a warm, caring and child-centred environment. Children have the space to move freely within the ground floor and the rear garden of the house, which is safe and secure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good range of toys and equipment suitable for the needs of the minded children. An appropriate selection of resources are brought out for the children from the full collection in order to maintain their interests.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe by the childminder taking precautions in all areas of childminding. During outings the childminder uses reins and wrist straps for younger children for their safety. As part of her increased awareness of fire safety, the childminder carries out a fire drill every six months, whereby children are able to familiarise themselves with the fire escape routes. The childminder continues to teach children to develop their sense of general safety. As part of road safety one three-year-old child participated in becoming a 'lollipop assistant' and wore a fluorescent jacket, as they helped other children cross the road.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is well promoted. The childminder has a written policy on child protection and has up to date information to enable her to carry out her role in safeguarding children.

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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 She is aware of possible signs of abuse or neglect and the procedures to follow should any concerns arise.

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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-orientated 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. For example, children collect a variety of leaves and rub the bark from trees when they visit the local woods. Children have enhanced their understanding of where food comes from and have grown vegetables and fruit, such as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, strawberries and blackberries from seed. Children have also been involved in the process of watching the many hens from the garden incubate their eggs to produce little chicks.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 craft and art activities as well as playing outside in the garden with the wide range of equipment provided. For example, children have participated in a 'sports day' whereby they have played in numerous physical activities in a friendly and competitive manner.

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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

Children receive warm praise and their achievements are recognised and valued. They are confident about expressing their feelings and are encouraged to show care and respect to each other as they learn about sharing. Children consequently behave well and are developing good manners.

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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. However, full opportunity is not taken in promoting the learning about all 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 an understanding of learning difficulties and disabilities. She has liaised with parents and used specialist utensils to help a child to eat and drink with comfort.

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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 in their folders as part of enhancing their self-esteem and enabling children to take pride in their achievements. Also, the childminder provides stickers for good behaviour as part of shaping children's behaviour.

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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 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 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 make sure premises are secure, obtain parents' permission for emergency medical treatment, provide suitable sleeping arrangements for young children and complete the attendance register on a daily basis.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder now has secure premises for the safety of children under her care. She now has written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical treatment for the overall welfare and well-being of children. She now provides suitable sleeping arrangements for young children and parents are happy with the arrangements. She completes the attendance register on a daily basis so that an accurate record is kept for children's safety.

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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 further opportunities in learning about the wider world by celebrating more festivals of the local community.

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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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