Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY366232 Unique Reference Number 01 May 2008 Inspection date Ann Webb 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 was registered in 2007 and is currently caring for two children. She lives with her husband and two children aged ten and five years in a house in a quiet residential area of Baildon, Bradford, which is close to local parks, schools and shops. The whole of the ground floor and first floor except the main bedroom is available for childminding. There is a secure outdoor play area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children try healthy and nutritious meals and enjoy kiwi fruit and sliced apple at snack time. They have individual drinking cups and can recognise and help themselves to their own throughout the day. They have drinks of water and fruit juice whenever they wish. The childminder provides cooked meals, such as shepherds pie with broccoli, and spaghetti bolognaise. She ensures that children have five pieces of fruit and vegetables each day.

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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 Daily opportunities for physical exercise ensures that the children develop good skills for climbing, sliding, running and jumping. They play in the childminder's garden with a slide, sit and ride toys and balls. Additionally, the children walk each day to toddler groups, soft play gyms and the local park. They enjoy taking bread to the river to feed the ducks.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children develop a good understanding of personal hygiene. They use wipes for their hands before they have snacks and meals and wash their hands after toileting and nappy changes. The childminder is a good role model for the children and wipes down surfaces before and after food preparation.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children's health and well-being is further promoted through a clear sickness management procedure. Parents are contacted if children become unwell whilst with the childminder and children with infectious illnesses are required to remain at home. There are good opportunities for rest and sleep; the childminder responds to the children's individual routines and parental wishes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder takes good steps to minimize risks to children. She has written risk assessments which identify hazards indoors and outdoors. Additionally, the home is secure and children are unable to leave unaccompanied. All required safety features are in place, such as cupboard locks, smoke detectors and safety gates. All resources, furniture and equipment is in good condition and suitable for all ages of children. Safety harnesses are used to secure children into chairs during meal and snack times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children learn effectively to contribute toward their own safety. For example, they rehearse emergency evacuations and follow road safety advice on outings. They are reminded to take care indoors and the childminder provides good levels of adult support and supervision at all times. All accident and medication records are completed with a parental signature which ensures that parents receive clear details of their children's care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's safety is further enhanced through the childminder's good understanding of how to protect the children in her care. For example, she has a written child protection statement which is shared with parents. She understands the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and maintains records of existing injuries.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children learn effectively in a well resourced environment and access a very good range of toys. For example, construction, books, role play, musical toys, small world play, art and craft. The childminder plans activities and also responds flexibly to the children's interest; she encourages them to make decisions and to lead their own play. The children have a very affectionate and loving relationship with the childminder and respond warmly to her. They enjoy her attention and support during their play and sit together to read and browse through books. They know how to turn pages and lift flaps to reveal pictures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a good understanding of the children's developmental needs and instinctively knows when to give children time to explore and solve problems. For example,

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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 children investigate the fastenings on a doll's chair, they pull it apart and spend long periods fastening it back together; their concentration skills are developing well.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

During role play the children practise pouring from cup-to-cup, handing pretend drinks to adults. The children are confident and know that they can help themselves to toys. They enjoy filling up a storage tub and then emptying it; the childminder recognises the learning opportunity and encourages the children to count the familiar items.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children and the childminder have good interaction. The childminder is interested in what the children have to say. She listens to their attempts at communication and gives them good opportunities to develop their emerging language skills through mimicking and repetition.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children learn successfully about their boundaries and what is expected of them. The childminder uses positive behaviour strategies to ensure that good behaviour is rewarded. For example, she manages unwanted behaviour with patience, explanation, guidance and distraction. Consequently, the children behave well and are courteous toward others. They learn to share their toys with their friends and feel good about themselves through the childminder's use of praise, smiles of approval and cuddles.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children benefit from the positive and professional relationships between the childminder and parents and carers. There are good systems to share information about the children and the care they receive. For example, a settling in period ensures that the children become familiar with their surroundings. Written documentation and policies provide parents with a detailed account of their children's care, such as accident and medication records. Additionally, there are daily verbal and written exchanges of information.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are good opportunities for the children to learn about the local and wider community. For example, they play with a varied range of resources which reflect a positive image of race and gender. For example, books and small world figures. However, there are limited resources which reflect positive images of disability. Additionally, the children visit local parks, shops and leisure services and particularly enjoy the feeding the ducks by the river and joining in music sessions at the toddler group.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children benefit from good levels of adult support and supervision. The childminder has a good understanding of the National Standards and supporting criteria. She attends relevant training, such as first aid and keeps up to date with forthcoming changes, such as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Organisation

The childminder provides a well organised, effective and flexible service for children and their families. All of the required records and documents are in place and are easily accessible. The certificate of registration is clearly displayed, accident and medication records are well documented and children's registration forms are completed with detailed information regarding their individual needs. Policies and procedures are well written and cover most aspects of the service provided, however, the behaviour management statement does not contain details of how bullying will be managed.

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

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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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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): • update behaviour statement with regard to bullying • increase resources which reflect a positive image of disability.

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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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