Childminder in Bradford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY307540 Inspection date 09 November 2005 Inspector Rachel Ayo

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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 2005. She lives with her husband, who is also used an occasional assistant, and three children aged 7, 5 and 3 in a detached dormer bungalow in the village of Menston, near Ilkley. On the ground floor the utility room, kitchen diner, lounge/playroom, sitting room, eldest children's bedroom and bathroom are used for childcare purposes and there is a garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five on a full time basis and four children before and after school on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools

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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 to take and collect children. The childminder takes children to the local park and toddler groups. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are helped to stay healthy to a very good standard as the childminder implements effective policies and procedures. For example, the childminder uses gloves to change nappies and cleans the changing mat after each use, all areas are in a good state of cleanliness and parents are asked to keep their children at home if they are ill or infectious. Children learn about simple good health and hygiene practices as they engage in good routines and discussion with the childminder. For example, children wash their hands before they eat and after toileting and children have individual towels which they decorate with their own picture. Such positive steps help minimise the spread of infection. Children are helped to be well nourished. The childminder plans meals and snacks which are healthy and reflect a well balanced, nutritious diet. Children are encouraged to eat vegetables and fruit is accessible at all times. Older children are

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Helping children to be healthy

able to freely access healthy drinks; they are encouraged to help themselves to plastic cups kept in a low level cupboard, which also promotes their independence. Younger children always have access to their bottle or feeder cup. The childminder meets any individual dietary needs effectively, including the weaning of babies, through discussion with parents, recording information and being flexible with the meals that she provides. Information about meals and snacks is displayed on a notice board and a record is maintained of children's food intake so that parents are informed about, and in agreement with what their children are eating. Children participate in a good range of physical activity. Children walk to school and learn about healthy living as they talk about the benefits of exercise, such as, helping them to concentrate and keeping their bodies working properly. Children access the local park and childminder's garden where they use a wide range of large and small

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Helping children to be healthy

equipment, such as, wheeled toys, slides, swings, climbing equipment, balls and skipping ropes. This encourages children to be active, enjoy physical activity and develop confidence in their physical skills. The physical development of babies is promoted well; they have the opportunity to crawl around freely and pull themselves up on appropriate, secure furniture and are able to sleep and rest according to their needs and home routines.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well cared for in a very warm and welcoming environment. Children's artwork is displayed, which promotes their self esteem and helps them to feel a

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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 sense of belonging. Space is organised creatively to ensure that children are able to move around freely, which promotes their independence, confidence and helps them to make choices about their own play and learning. Children are able to self select from accessible resources which are set up at attractively at their level in boxes, tubs and drawers. Children's all round development is supported well by a very good range of safe and suitable equipment and furniture. Toys promote all areas of children's learning and are sufficiently challenging for all age groups. Children are helped to stay safe to a generally good standard. Hazards, such as, stairs, cleaning materials and electric sockets are made safe or inaccessible by safety equipment and children are unable to leave the childminder's home

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

unsupervised because of good security measures. However, some hazards have not been identified and made safe in the garden and the area is not secure. Fire safety is promoted well in most aspects; smoke alarms are fitted appropriately, the home is visited by a Fire Safety Officer and a there is a written emergency escape plan. However, this is not practised. Children are helped to stay safe on outings by good policies and procedures. Older children are helped to learn about safety on outings to a good standard because the childminder talks to them about safe practice. For example, the childminder teaches children how to cross the road using the "Green Cross Code". Children's welfare is promoted well as the childminder is aware of her role in child protection and demonstrates a sound awareness of possible signs of abuse or neglect and the procedures to follow.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children present are happy, are very settled and warm, positive relationships are held with the childminder. The childminder has a good understanding of child development and provides a very good range of play opportunities, which promote all areas of learning and development, for all children attending. Children develop their creativity and imagination as they play with dressing up clothes, tea sets, dolls, cars and engage in a wide variety of arts and craft activities. The childminder plans some structured activities but allows children the opportunity to initiate their own play, for example, older children playing shops or schools. The childminder responds to this by providing appropriate resources or extending the range, if necessary, to meet the children's changing needs or interests. Children show good levels of interest in their environment and concentrate for lengthy periods of time at their chosen activity. For

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

example children make Christmas wish lists using catalogues, scissors and glue. Children experience a varied range of visits which the childminder uses as good opportunities for children to learn about their environment, such as looking at the spider's web or autumn leaves. The childminder extends and consolidates children's learning by planning activities at home relating to visits. For example, children visit a museum then decorate posters to create discussion and remind them of their experience. The childminder is enthusiastic and motivated; she talks and listens to children and shows high levels of interest in what children say and do. She acts as an excellent role model and this is reflected in how the children present.

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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 Babies and young children develop security, confidence and self esteem because of nurturing relationships with the childminder. They freely choose their preferred toy from a range of sufficient play resources set out in low-level tubs on the floor. Toys are provided for babies to explore and investigate along with some everyday household objects, such as, shoe boxes, crinkly paper and pieces of material. The childminder spends a very good amount of time talking and supporting babies play and development. Babies also benefit from having some time to play independently and are able to take risks whilst having the support and encouragement of the childminder who stays close by. For example, babies who are pulling themselves up on objects or furniture and becoming mobile.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are highly valued as individuals. The childminder effectively promotes working in partnership with parents to ensure that children's individual needs are well met. The childminder completes child record forms with parents and finds out any additional information about their child before placement. Settling visits take place to ensure that children feel secure. Children are treated equally and fairly and learn about the wider community through the provision of a good range of resources, such as, books, dolls, puzzles and dressing up clothes. Children also engage in activities which help them to learn about other cultures and what is happening in different parts of the world. Children play well and relate well to others; they share resources, talk to each other about what they are doing and work harmoniously when engaging in activities. Children are polite, use good manners and help to tidy away their toys. The

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Helping children make a positive contribution

childminder demonstrates a very positive attitude to behaviour management. Clear boundaries and house rules are in place to help children develop good social skills and learn about responsible and appropriate behaviour. For example, children are encouraged to listen to others and answer people who are talking to them, hang up their coats on child height pegs, put their shoes in the cloakroom and sit and eat at the table. The childminder has a good understanding of appropriate behaviour management strategies that promote children's self - esteem, such as, praise, distraction and re-directing children's activities. The childminder has a very calm manner and is aware of the importance of having flexible routines that allow children to pursue their interests, which ensures that incidents of frustration and conflict, in particular with young children, are minimised. Children benefit from positive relationships between their parents and the childminder

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Helping children make a positive contribution

as this promotes good communication, trust and continuity of care. All documentation relating to working in partnership with parents is maintained to a good standard. The childminder informs parents about her policies and procedures before placement to ensure that they are happy with arrangements and in agreement with her practice. Effective systems are in place for sharing information; the childminder maintains a diary for each child which is completed daily and includes details about the day's activities. In relation to younger children nappy changing and sleep times are also included. Parents are invited to contribute to the diaries. Information is also

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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 exchanged verbally and photographs show children engaging in a variety of activities. Parent feedback is very positive about the care being provided.

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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. The childminder has a high regard for all children in her care. Children receive good levels of support because the adult; child ratio positively supports children's care, learning and play. The childminder has attended mandatory training and demonstrates a very positive attitude to attending additional courses to enhance her childcare practice. 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 both indoors, outdoors and through visits. Documentation is well organised and all records are in place and maintained to a very good standard. This supports the efficient and safe management of the provision and promotes the welfare, care and learning of

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Organisation

children. Policies and procedures, some written, support the childminder's practice and generally work well to promote positive outcomes for children. The provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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

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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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that there are no hazards present in the garden, in relation to the bucket of rainwater and ensure that the area is secure • ensure that the emergency escape plan is practised.

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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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