Childminder in Bradford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 302600 Inspection date 14/12/2009 Inspector Jane Elizabeth O'Callaghan

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1992. She lives with her husband and adult daughter on the outskirts of Bradford. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house and upstairs bathroom are used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time and is currently providing care for three children in the early years age group and seven in the compulsory Childcare Register age group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects and takes children to local schools and visits parks and places of interest. She has a cat as a family pet.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has a level 4 qualification in Childcare and Education and is currently working towards a degree in childcare. She is a member of an accredited childminding network, but is not currently in receipt of nursery education funding. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and of the West Yorkshire Police Childminding Network.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has thorough systems in place for evaluating her practice and provision and continually making improvements which have a highly positive impact on the outcomes for children. Effective procedures are in place and positive relationships are established with all concerned to ensure that all children are safeguarded, their welfare is promoted and they are fully supported. The childminder has an in-depth understanding of the unique interests, needs and stages of development of each child and plans personalised care, play and learning opportunities to ensure they are stimulated and motivated to learn. As a result, children are making exceptional progress.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 developing ways for younger children to clearly identify resources. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are helped to stay safe to an excellent standard. Risk assessments, which are reviewed regularly, are comprehensive in managing or eliminating risks and an extensive range of health and safety policies and procedures, alongside wide- ranging safety information, works effectively in practice. Children are further safeguarded as a result of the childminder's excellent knowledge of child protection and up-to-date procedures; this is fully supported by training and a comprehensive policy, which includes allegations being made against the childminder. Documentation is extensive, highly maintained and kept up to date to promote the exceptionally efficient and safe management of the setting and meet children's individual needs.

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the early years provision

Excellent partnerships with parents and other professionals are in place. Parents highly praise the childminder, through letters. They are delighted with the progress their children are making and the service provided. The childminder gathers extensive information from parents to establish children's starting points and carefully plan for each child's individual needs. Children's achievements and learning and development records are shared each day with parents, who use the information to support their child's learning and development in the home. The childminder has made excellent links with other providers where children also attend to ensure every child is appropriately supported and to provide continuity in their learning by sharing learning and development records.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to her own professional development and is a qualified and experienced child carer; she continues to access training and support through her local authority. She has introduced a thorough system of self- assessment which successfully identifies both strengths and areas for development. Parents and older children are fully involved in this process, which ensures their views are considered and acted upon.

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the early years provision

Children are learning about wider society as they play with the wide selection of imaginative multicultural resources, including instruments and finger puppets. The childminder ensures that children celebrate various festivals. For example, at Remembrance Day children coloured poppies and discussed the meaning of this day and also recently Diwali. The childminder has recently attended equal opportunities training and also has a very informative policy. This ensures that children are cared for regardless of age, gender, culture and disability, in a safe, caring environment.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has an excellent understanding of children's development and the Early Years Foundation Stage. She observes the children regularly, identifies their next steps and plans to ensure that the children have many opportunities to achieve their goals. Each child has a learning journal which tracks their progress This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and allows the childminder to ensure that they are having experiences across all the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Children have a vast expanse of toys and activities that are readily available for them and cover all areas of learning. For example, a large amount of books for all ages, both picture, non-fiction and story, electronic toys for all stages of development, treasure baskets for younger children and lots of dressing-up clothes that all children thoroughly enjoy. The children enjoy a considerable range of adult-led and child-initiated activities. They self-select from the resources easily available and respond positively to ideas offered. However, the current system to enable children to recognise resources does not fully support the needs of younger children. The childminder is skilled at adjusting the activities to ensure that all the children can achieve, building on their self-esteem. Children use their imagination and pretend to go see Father Christmas in the train and place small figures into it.

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and outcomes for children

Younger children very capably press the figures and realise that if you take them out of the train it stops. More-able children choose to play with the dough, get cutters and recognise the blue dough, and confidently make different shapes, identifying the star and circle shapes. All children play with the large plastic numbers and letters and they all very confidently recognise their own letters from their names and also letters of their parents' names. Children count the puppets on the childminder's fingers and can count up to 17 with ease. The childminder sits with the children and they place the puppets on the fingers and join in singing 'Five little men in a flying saucer'. The younger children then access a book and read along with the other children and childminder about 'being down at the station'. The childminder ensures children receive lots of opportunities for physical development, by crawling through a tunnel indoors, dancing and going on daily

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and outcomes for children

walks to school and also to places of interest within the community. The childminder has lots of photographs of children playing, which depict all areas of learning and also children's own work. These are displayed in children's very informative profiles and also around the setting, making the environment very welcoming and child friendly.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn how to stay safe through highly effective measures that include discussing 'stranger danger' and road safety and taking supervised risks to learn about their own capabilities. The childminder takes excellent steps to provide a safe and secure environment for children. For example, evacuation procedures are displayed and fire drills are practised for children of all ages. The childminder ensures that all visitors to the premises sign in and also she checks identification. She has special measures in place should children be collected by people she does not know. For example, she insists on meeting these and also having a photograph of them, prior to letting the child go.

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and outcomes for children

The excellent provision of healthy and nutritious meals and snacks is planned effectively in the menu. For example, children accessed bananas and plums at the inspection. The childminder also ensures that children can have drinks whenever needed and also have their own individual drinking cups. Children learn about healthy lifestyles as they discuss nutritious foods and why they need to wash their hands before snack time. They follow hygienic procedures such as covering their mouths when they cough and using disposable paper towels to dry hands on. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children's behaviour is very good and the childminder sets clear boundaries. Children share the resources and the time of the childminder, responding well to gentle reminders to share or take turns and respect the needs of others. Older children have their own house rules and all children play very well together, having

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and outcomes for children

gentle reminders from the childminder if needed. Children are proud of the praise and encouragement they receive for their efforts and behaviour and are therefore highly motivated in their play and development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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