Childminder in Bradford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 302380 Inspection date 24 October 2005 Inspector Ingrid Szczerban

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 1985. She lives with her husband and two children, one is aged 12 years and the other is an adult. They live in a terraced house, in Bingley, West Yorkshire. There are local parks, a library, a fire station, shops and a canal within walking distance. The main room used by children is the dining room, one of the bedrooms may also be used for sleeping. There is an enclosed garden available and the family have a cat. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. Currently nine children are cared for on a part time basis and one of these is over the

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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 age of 8 years. She walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends playgroups with younger children. The childminder is a member of the Bradford Childminding Network and follows their 'Children Come First' quality assurance scheme.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean, warm, stimulating and caring environment where effective procedures and practices ensure that children's physical, nutritional and health needs are fully addressed. The childminder provides very good support and guidance to ensure that children develop a good understanding of hygiene, such as washing hands after toileting and before eating. Children are protected from cross infection through the effective implementation of a comprehensive sickness policy, the regular washing of toys and the use of individual wipes and anti-bacterial gel. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. They take great pleasure in being active as they walk to school each day. They have daily access to robust physical activities, including co-ordination, balancing and climbing, both indoors and outdoors. For example, dancing to music, skipping, hop-scotch,

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Helping children to be healthy

mini-Olympics, the use of bikes, bats and balls in the garden and they are taken on regular outings to parks and playgrounds. The individual needs of sleep times for babies are given high priority to ensure they remain healthy. The childminder fosters the children's understanding of good eating habits and sometimes involves them in the preparation of food. Children have regular access to drinks throughout the day and benefit from well balanced nutritious snacks and meals, including lots of fruit and vegetables. Children know about foods that are good and bad for them and that eating too many sweets makes your teeth bad.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children move around safely and freely in a secure and safe environment, both indoors and outdoors, where risks are identified and minimised by the childminder. All safety features are in place or are available for use in the areas of the home where children have access. For example, the back garden is fully enclosed with a secure gate so that children remain safe. Children are kept safe on outings because the childminder follows very good procedures and practices. Children are learning how to keep themselves from harm because the childminder encourages them to predict the consequences of their actions. Children use a very good range of developmentally appropriate resources, which are used to extend all areas of their development, most of which are easily accessible

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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 thereby furthering children's independence. Child height furniture and easily accessed storage units are available; children were observed to quickly and confidently access materials for craft activities and role play. Children remain safe and learn how to keep themselves from harm, because the childminder checks equipment as it is used and, once a week, she enlists the help of older children to check the toys for safety and cleanliness. The children's welfare needs are fully addressed. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and she holds a current first aid certificate.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the child friendly environment where they have good access to a wide range of activities which enhances their development in all areas. Younger children are very sociable and relaxed because the childminder follows regular routines and responds very well to their individual needs, which enhances their emotional well being. Children receive lots of cuddles and playful interactions were observed. For example, the childminder followed and joined in the child-initiated activity of shopping, in role play. Activities are planned to take into consideration children's needs, interests and current festivals. For example, the older children are interested in maths and the childminder spontaneously extends this into a fun activity by counting how many Duplo bricks high a child measures and recording the numbers in his maths workbook. The childminder has recently completed the 'Birth To Three Matters' training and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

uses it to develop activities to foster the development of the under 3's in her care. For instance, she has made a treasure basket for babies to explore natural materials. Children are developing very good, fine physical skills and can express their ideas creatively for example, they can use scissors and glue with skill and accuracy. Children are extremely confident and communicate very well because the childminder promotes and extends conversations to help them develop this skill. Younger children make their needs clear using simple words and gestures. The childminder responds effectively because she is attuned to the individual speech patterns of babies which encourages their further language development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are very effectively met through a variety of means including information received from parents at the gradual induction of the child. The childminder ensures that resources positively represent individuals from the wider community. The children learn about other cultures because the childminder introduces them to customs and festivals celebrated around the world such as Divali.

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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 This enables children to develop positive attitudes towards others. The childminder has a very good awareness of positive behaviour management techniques to enhance children's well being. Children learn to respect, share, take turns and learn about the consequences of their behaviour. Lots of praise and encouragement was observed to be offered to children; boosting confidence and self-esteem. The children get on very well together and older ones help and show consideration to younger ones. For instance, the eldest child prepared fruit as a snack for the younger ones. Children benefit from the very good partnership developed between childminder and parents. Children are cared for according to parents wishes which promotes continuity of care and their well being. There are effective systems in place to ensure

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Helping children make a positive contribution

information is shared on a regular basis about the child's progress and daily activities, for example through daily chats and files containing examples of their work. The childminder provides good information for parents about the setting, including policies and procedures, which enhances the care provided for their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Space is effectively organised to meet the needs of the children so that they are able to initiate and extend their own play and learning. For example, they move freely between activities inside and outdoors and can independently reach most of their toys. The children receive excellent levels of individual time and attention from the childminder. Children are kept safe due to the childminder's good awareness of vetting procedures for adults and adult child ratios are maintained appropriately. The childminder organises her documentation well, keeps up to date records and has sought all necessary written permissions from parents regarding the care needs of children. The only exception is the permission for outings which does not specify consent for the transportation of children in a vehicle. The children benefit from the childminder's good underpinning knowledge and experience in child development. She is committed to ongoing training to enhance

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Organisation

the service she provides for the children. The good range of policies and procedures are used very effectively to promote the welfare and care of children. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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 There are no complaints to report. 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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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): • request written parental permission for transporting children in a vehicle.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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