Childminder in Bradford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY312531 Inspection date 09 January 2006 Inspector Helene Anne Terry

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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 daughter, aged 11 years, in a terraced property in Bradford, West Yorkshire. The lower two levels of the home and the bathroom on the second floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed yard to the front of the property that is used for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and currently has 5 children on roll between the ages of 4 and 5 years. The children attend before and after school only for a variety of sessions throughout the week and during school holidays. The childminder takes and collects children from the local

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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 school. She is a member to the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and well maintained 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 reminding them to wash their hands after toileting and before eating. Children are protected from cross infection through the use of good procedures and practices, such as a comprehensive sickness policy, the use of individual towels and children display good manners when they cover their mouths when they cough. Children are developing very good eating habits. They have free, easy access to drinks throughout the sessions. They benefit from well balanced nutritious snacks and meals, including lots of fruit and vegetables. Children have a choice of food for breakfast; for example, sausages, eggs, cereal or toast. Their likes and dislikes are

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Helping children to be healthy

considered. They also receive a full cooked meal at tea time. Convenience food and sweets are kept to a minimum. Children are also beginning to understand about food that is good for them and individual dietary needs are fully considered to promote their well-being. Children enjoy a wide range of good physical activity, which contributes to their good health. They enjoy playing in the park and taking part in races and group games.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children move around safely and freely in a secure environment, both indoors and outdoors, where the majority of risks are minimised because the childminder takes the necessary precautions to keep children safe and secure on and off the premises. However, sharp knives are currently kept in a drawer accessible to children, which pose a risk to children. Children have access to the necessary facilities to promote their development and furniture and equipment are well maintained. Children are also beginning to learn about their own personal safety, because the childminder does activities with them about road safety and they have visited the fire station to learn about the hazards of fire. They also practice fire drills in the home regularly. Children use a very good range of developmentally appropriate resources that address all areas of their development. Most resources are easily accessible,

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

enabling choice and promoting independence. Resources provided are effectively organised in containers, drawers and on shelves. They are rotated and updated as required. The children's welfare is fully addressed. The childminder has a satisfactory

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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 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 very 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. Generally, planning for activities to formalise learning is not done. However, activities and resources provided are specific to the stages of development for the children attending. The childminder plans one main activity each session with the involvement of the children and the children choose what they like to do from all resources available. This ensures that children have some involvement in their own learning and enjoyment. They take part in many interesting activities, such as junk modelling, role play, papier mache modelling and many other creative works. They also enjoy outings to various places of interest. Children are extending their learning well. The childminder follows what the children are learning at school and helps them

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

with their basic numeracy and literacy skills. The children enjoy playing with a shop, with items priced, to enable them to recognise numbers and develop simple calculation skills. Children are developing good independence skills; they delight in helping set the table for meals, serving meals and pouring their own drinks from the jug placed on the table. Each child has also created their own place mat for the table, which they use with pride. Interaction between the childminder and the children is very warm and trusting relationships have been developed, which increases children's sense of well-being and confidence. Children receive lots of cuddles and playful interactions were observed as they chatted together. A varied routine is followed throughout the week to enrich children's well-being. They have time for snacks, meals and activities inside and outside the home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are very effectively met and welfare is promoted through a variety of means, including information received from parents at the gradual induction of the child. The childminder has a good understanding of children's individuality and responds well to their needs in respect of hunger, tiredness, likes and dislikes. Children are beginning to learn about the wider world and people's differences and similarities through a satisfactory range of resources and activities representing diversity in society. For example, the children enjoy activities about different festivals such as Diwali, Chinese New Year and Christmas. However, there are limited resources representing positive images of people with disabilities. The childminder has a very good awareness of positive behaviour management techniques to enhance children's well-being and their social development. She

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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 speaks to them calmly, giving explanations and uses lots of appropriate praise and encouragement, thereby boosting self-esteem and confidence. Children are aware of the 'house rules' which they remind each other of. They also take part in a reward system, for which they receive stickers for good behaviour. Children benefit from the very good partnership developed between the childminder and parents. Children are cared for according to parents' wishes which promote continuity of care and their well-being. There are good systems in place to ensure information is shared on a regular basis about the child's progress and daily activities; for example, through daily chats and creations that they take home. Parents receive excellent information about the setting including access to the notice

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Helping children make a positive contribution

board, written policies and procedures and a regular newsletter; all of which enhances the care provided for their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises space and resources to meet the needs of the children very well and as a result, children feel at home and at ease. Children are kept safe due to the childminder's good awareness of vetting procedures for adults having supervised or unsupervised access to the children. The numbers of children cared for ensures that each child is given high quality individual attention. The childminder has a good interest in training and uses her skills to enhance the service she offers for the children. There is a comprehensive range of policies and procedures in place. These underpin the setting very effectively and ensure children's well-being and safety. They are filed appropriately, ensuring confidentiality and are shared with parents to promote continuity of care. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend very well.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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

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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 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): • ensure that sharp knives and implements are not accessible to children • provide resources that positively represent disability in society.

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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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