Childminder in Bradford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 302597 Inspection date 01 February 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 satisfactory. 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 has been registered since 1997. She lives with her three children aged 12,14 and 15-years in a terraced house in Bradford, West Yorkshire. Areas of the home used for childminding include the lower ground floor kitchen, lounge, small playroom and bathroom. The rear garden is used for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. At present she has six children on roll between the ages of 2 and 8, who attend for various sessions throughout the week. The childminder transports children to and from the local school. The family has a rabbit and guinea pigs.

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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 The childminder regularly attends toddler groups with the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. 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 adequately addressed. The childminder provides good support and guidance to ensure that children develop a good understanding of hygiene, such as encouraging 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 the use of individual wipes, their own bedding and the regular washing of toys. Children are developing satisfactory eating habits, they have free easy access to drinks throughout the day and benefit from balanced nutritious snacks and meals, including lots of fruit, promoting children's health and wellbeing. Children are also beginning to understand about food that is good for them and individual dietary

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Helping children to be healthy

needs are fully considered to promote their wellbeing. Children enjoy a satisfactory range of physical activity, which contributes to their health. They enjoy playing in the garden, dancing, going for walks and visiting parks and adventure playgrounds. There are good policies and procedures in place to protect children's health, including accident and medication records and all the required written permissions are obtained from parents.

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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 risks are minimised because the childminder takes the necessary precautions to keep children safe and secure on and off the premises. They have access to the necessary facilities to promote their development and furniture and equipment are well maintained. Children are beginning to learn about their own safety, for example they are reminded not to run in the house in case they slip and fall. Children use a good range of developmentally appropriate resources, many of which are easily accessible enabling choice and promoting independence. For example, resources are stored in the play areas in cupboards, containers and on shelves. These are effectively organised, rotated and updated as required. The children's welfare is satisfactorily addressed. The childminder has an adequate understanding of child protection issues and she holds a current first aid certificate.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in the child friendly environment where they have good access to a satisfactory range of activities, which enhances their development in most areas. 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. Children's interests are followed to enhance their involvement in the activities. They happily choose from the good range of resources made available for them and confidently state if they wish to do something else. The Birth to three matters framework is not currently used to enhance development through play for young children, resulting in missed opportunities to extend learning. Interaction between the childminder and the children is warm and trusting relationships have been developed, which increases children's sense of wellbeing

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and confidence. Children receive lots of cuddles and playful interactions were observed as childminder and children played together and chatted as they crayoned. Children are developing good social skills as they learn to share, take turns and be co-operative with others. They enjoy developing their independence when they choose the activities they wish to play with from the drawers and containers in the playrooms.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are 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. There are some resources representing diversity in society. This enables children to understand the wider world and peoples' differences and similarities. The childminder has a good awareness of positive behaviour management techniques to enhance children's wellbeing and their social development. She speaks to them calmly giving explanations and uses lots of appropriate praise and encouragement, thereby boosting self-esteem and confidence. Children are encouraged to use good manners and are valued and well respected, which impacts on the positive behaviour observed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the satisfactory partnership developed between the childminder and parents. They are cared for according to parents' wishes, which promotes continuity of care. There are effective 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. There are some basic policies and procedures and information about the setting available for parents, which promotes the two way process in enhancing children's wellbeing.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises space and resources to meet the needs of the children well, 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 good quality individual attention. All documentation is maintained effectively to meet the needs of the children. It is filed appropriately ensuring confidentiality and is shared with parents to promote the wellbeing of children. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection it was recommended that the childminder improve procedures relating to complaints and fire evacuation. It was also recommended that children had better access to role-play items. Good improvements have been made. There is now a complaints procedure available for parents and fire evacuation procedures are now in place enhancing children's wellbeing and safety. Children also have access to a satisfactory range of resources, including role-play items, enabling them to development their creative and imaginative skills.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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. There are no complaints to report.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • develop a suitable range of activities for the younger children as explained in

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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 the Birth to three matters framework

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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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