Childminder in Bradford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY100403 Inspection date 07 March 2006 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 2001. She lives in a terraced house in Bradford, West Yorkshire. She has two children aged 11 and 12 years. The kitchen/lounge and the dining room are used by children and there is a secure outdoor play area. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding six children, one of whom is over 8 years. The childminder takes and collects children from school. She attends playgroup three times a week, makes regular visits to the library and to parks with children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children have their health and dietary needs met. There are good arrangements made with parents to seek, record and follow the individual needs of children. Children learn about simple hygiene routines such as hand washing at appropriate times. Regular cleaning routines are followed and an effective sickness policy is used to prevent the spread of infection. However, separate hand towels are not provided for children. Children enjoy robust physical activity daily. They attend playgroup three times a week, visit parks and playgrounds regularly hence they develop good physical coordination and stamina. The daily routine includes time for children to have rests and sleep according to their needs to keep them healthy. Children are provided with regular drinks and food in good supply in order to meet their needs. This includes healthy and nutritious foods and fresh fruit every day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs are followed and they respond well to routines such as sitting at the table to eat together. Children learn about making healthy food choices as they are sometimes involved in the preparation of food.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Good use is made of the space available and children have freedom to move around the whole of the ground floor independently. This enables them to initiate their own play and develop their large physical skills. The rooms used by children are clean, warm, bright and airy. Toys are stored at child height making them feel welcome and promoting decision making. A wide range of toys and equipment which are safe, developmentally appropriate and of good quality, help to keep children safe. All potential hazards on the premises are fully considered and minimised. Children learn how to keep themselves from harm; they are reminded not to run in the home as they may trip and hurt themselves and they know how to evacuate in case of fire. Highly effective procedures are followed on outings and when children are collected to keep them from harm. Children all wear orange tee shirts when they are out, so that they can be easily seen.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has good knowledge of child protection issues as she has attended training on the subject. She is well aware of how to report any concerns should the need arise thereby fully meeting the welfare needs of children.

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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 Children are happy and settled in the child friendly environment where they have good access to a very wide range of activities which enhances their development in all areas. These are well planned using the Birth to three matters framework to take into consideration seasonal changes, children's interests and current festivals. For example, the children are currently looking at the topic of Spring and making gifts for Mother's Day. They are thoroughly absorbed and occupied in stimulating and challenging activities. Children express themselves creatively and use their imaginations well. They are developing excellent fine manipulative skills using brushes with accuracy and control, to paint animal money boxes. Children communicate well. They initiate and act out role play scenarios such as going on holiday. Effective questioning is used by the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder to make children think and express their ideas in their own words. Children are developing awareness of number and counting through spontaneous activities such as counting their steps on the stairs. Older children are enthusiastic participants in the preparation of food; a children's recipe book is used for baking and cooking. This develops mathematical, social, literacy, scientific and fine movement skills. A very good strength of the setting is the progress children are making in their understanding of the world. Many outings are organised for children to develop this, including visiting farms, museums, parks, the fire station, the dentist, the library and attending regular play group sessions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. 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. This results in children settling-in very quickly. Resources positively represent the children who attend as well as individuals from the wider community. Festivals and foods from around the world are introduced to the children, which helps them learn to value their own and other's cultural traditions and develop a positive attitude towards others. Children are valued and respected as individuals. This is evidenced by the high levels of respect and care they show to others. Behaviour is excellent; the childminder has high expectations of children giving frequent praise and they develop good confidence and self-esteem. Young children show genuine concern for older ones when they are upset and try to placate them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnerships 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 information is shared on a regular basis about the child's progress and activities, through daily chats. The childminder provides written information for parents about the service, including policies and procedures, which enhances the care provided for their children. However, the complaints procedure does not include the recent changes for the childminder to self-investigate complaints.

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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 good. Space is organised most effectively to meet the needs of the children and they receive high levels of individual attention. Children are kept safe due to the childminder's good awareness of vetting procedures for adults having supervised or unsupervised access to the children and adult-child ratios are maintained appropriately at all times. Documentation is comprehensive and well-organised. Children benefit highly from the childminder's commitment to on-going training to extend her knowledge and implement it effectively to enhance the service she provides for the children. The good range of policies and procedures are used very well to promote the welfare and care of children. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection recommendations were made regarding further training and resources to promote disability. The childminder has attended basic training in child protection thereby improving her ability to meet the welfare needs of children. She has not done any training to care for children with special needs; she has not been asked to provide such care yet and would willingly attend an appropriate course should the need arise. The childminder has improved her selection of resources to include positive images of disability to help children learn to value all individuals in the wider community.

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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 National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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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 To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • review and develop the written complaints procedure • provide separate hand towels for children.

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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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