Childminder in Bradford

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

302119 Unique Reference Number 24 April 2008 Inspection date Ann Webb Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1997. She lives with her husband and adult child in a quiet residential area of Bradford, West Yorkshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, along with a bathroom on the first floor. There is a secure enclosed rear garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time and is currently minding two children. The childminder attends local toddler groups. The home is in close proximity to local shops and schools and is on a local bus route.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a suitably healthy range of meals and snacks which ensures that the children have an appropriate understanding of healthy eating. At lunch time a light meal of soup and yoghurt is offered and a cooked meal taken later in the day includes fresh vegetables with stews, meat, potatoes and spaghetti. Some sweet items are offered, such as biscuits. The

p.2

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 children are able to help themselves to drinks whenever they are thirsty and use their own cups and drinking bottles.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The children have a suitable understanding of how to contribute toward their own hygiene routines. They know that they have to wash their hands with soap and water after visiting the toilet and manage these routines independently. In addition, the childminder ensures that children wash their hands before they eat food and after outdoor play. She maintains the home in a clean, well organised manor and ensures that areas used by the children are suitable for their purpose.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy suitable opportunities to be outdoors for fresh air and exercises. They play in the childminder's garden with a slide, see-saw, bikes and balls. Additionally, they can run and play larger physical games in the nearby field and walk to and from school each day.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Their health and well-being is further promoted through the effective management of children's illnesses and childhood infections. The childminder does not care for children with an infectious illness and she ensures that all parents are aware of this policy. The children have suitable opportunities to rest and sleep through the day and this is in accordance with their own routines and their parents' wishes.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children are cared for in a reasonably safe environment. For example, safety features such as socket covers, smoke detectors and cupboard locks are in place. However, the home is not secure. An emergency evacuation plan is in place, however, emergency evacuations from the home are not rehearsed. The children learn appropriately about road safety and follow road safety advice when on outings. They know to hold hands and to look for cars.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children access a suitable range of furniture and equipment which is appropriate for their ages and the childminder checks resources to ensure that they are safe for the children's use. Toys are stored on shelving and in boxes; this enables the children to access them independently and safely.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Procedures to record accidents and the administration of medication are followed accurately by the childminder, for example, parents are required to sign records which ensures that they receive accurate information regarding their child's care.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's safety is further supported through the childminder's suitable understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. She has a written child protection statement which is shared with all parents and records all existing injuries to children.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The children play with an appropriate range of toys and activities. For example, construction, small world figures, jigsaws, books, art and craft. They are interested in the resources provided and play happily, enjoying a painting activity. They explore and experiment with paint, printing with apples and carrots. This activity encourages the children to practice their coordination skills and in addition the childminder introduces colour recognition.

p.3

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 The childminder talks to the children about the paint and introduces them to the colours blue, white and yellow. The children roll and press the fruit into the paint and examine the effects they make on the paper. They are pleased with their efforts and proudly display their achievements.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

During a jigsaw activity the children sit with the childminder and welcome her input. The conversations are relaxed and informal with chatter about the children's interests, likes and dislikes. Children enjoy the opportunity to recreate the puzzle of their favourite cartoon character.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a suitable understanding of the children's developmental needs and plans flexible activities which enables her to respond to the children's individual interests and capabilities. She presents activities appropriately so children are able to make their own choices and supports children's understanding of early counting and number skills through everyday activities. For example, when letters are posted through the letter box children pick them up and count them to four. When they climb the stairs they count the number of steps.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children benefit from the appropriately professional relationships developed between the childminder and parents and carers. For example, the childminder provides parents with daily verbal information, written contracts, policy information and an effective settling in period. Additionally, parents sign all records of accidents and administered medication. Additional information is displayed for parents to see, for example, her certificate of registration.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The children have suitable opportunities to learn about the local and wider community. For example, they visit the park, shops library and school. Additionally they mix and play with their peers through visits to the soft play gym. They access a reasonable range of resources which reflect a positive image of race, gender and disability, such as, small world play and books.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The children's behaviour is appropriate for their age and levels of understanding. The childminder helps the children to manage their own feelings and frustrations in a calm and consistent manor. She gives explanations and uses short periods of time out to manage unwanted behaviour, praising the children appropriately when their behaviour is good.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder provides a suitably organised and effective service for children and their families. All of the required records and documents are in place and are easily accessible and available for inspection. For example, attendance records are well documented and children's registration forms are complete. Parental signatures are obtained for outings, special activities such as swimming, using the trampoline and emergency medical treatment.

p.4

Organisation

The children benefit from the childminder's commitment to keeping up to date with current childcare practice. She attends relevant training opportunities, for example, child protection and the Early Years Foundation Stage, which has a positive impact on the childcare provision.

p.4

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 The children are cared for in a happy, homely and loving environment and consequently they are confident, settled and comfortable in their surroundings. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve her record keeping with regard to medication records. Since the last inspection the childminder completes medication records and obtains a parental signature for all medication administered to children. This appropriately improves the health and safety of the children.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • rehearse emergency evacuations • ensure that premises are secure.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5