Childminder in BradfordOfsted inspection, 14 Feb 2006

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY225925 Inspection date 14 February 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 2002. She lives with her husband and two children aged 5 and 8 years, in a terraced house in the Idle area of Bradford, West Yorkshire. Her husband sometimes acts as an assistant to help collect children after school. The rooms used by children are the dining kitchen and the living room and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have a dog, a cat, two lizards, a snake, a rabbit, three guinea pigs and fish. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently caring for fifteen children on a part time basis. The childminder walks

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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 a local school to take and collect children. Every week, she attends sessions at a local toddler group with children and takes them swimming. The childminder is a member of the Bradford Childminding Network and is following their quality assurance scheme, Children Come First.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean, warm, stimulating and caring environment where effective procedures and practices ensure that children's physical, nutritional and health needs are fully addressed. The childminder provides good support and guidance to ensure that children develop a good understanding of hygiene, such as washing hands after toileting and before eating. Children are protected from cross infection through the effective implementation of a comprehensive sickness policy, the regular washing of toys, the use of individual paper towels and anti bacterial spray. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. They take great pleasure in being active as they walk to school each day. They have daily access to robust physical activities, which develop skills in co-ordination, balancing and climbing, both indoors and outdoors. Outings to toddler group, parks,

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Helping children to be healthy

playgrounds and the swimming baths every week all help to develop physical skills. The individual needs of sleep times for babies, are given high priority to ensure they remain healthy. The childminder fosters the children's understanding of good eating habits and sometimes involves them in the preparation of food. When children request sweet snacks such as chocolate she gently explains that there is none and offers fruit instead. Children have regular access to drinks throughout the day, and benefit from well balanced nutritious snacks and home-cooked meals, including lots of fruit and vegetables. Children's consumption of healthy food is boosted because the childminder disguises six types of vegetables in her pasta sauce. The children respond well to mealtime routines and sit at the table to enjoy meals together and make conversation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children move around safely and freely in a secure and safe environment, both indoors and outdoors, where risks are identified and minimised by the childminder. All safety features are in place or are available for use in the areas of the home where children have access. For example, the back garden is fully enclosed with a secure gate, bolted on both sides, so that children remain safe. Ample space is provided for children so they can relax in comfort or take part in more energetic play. The environment is welcoming for children and they have a good sense of belonging

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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 when they see their artwork prominently displayed. Children are kept safe on outings as the childminder follows very good procedures and practices. Such as, always walking in pairs and taking along a rucksack equipped for emergencies. Children are learning how to keep themselves from harm as older children are encouraged to assess when it is safe to cross roads. Reflective strips on children's lunch boxes ensure that they are clearly visible to motorists so they remain safe when walking to and from school. Children use a good range of developmentally appropriate resources, which are used to extend all areas of their development. Most of which are easily accessible thereby furthering children's independence. Child height furniture and easily accessed storage units are available; children move quickly and confidently to access materials

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

for craft activities and role play. Children remain safe and learn how to keep themselves from harm. Their attention is drawn to potential hazards, equipment is checked as it is used and, once a week, a more thorough check is made. Children learn that they must clear away toys so they don't trip over them. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues, and she holds a current first aid certificate. Therefore children's welfare needs are fully addressed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children experience an extensive range of activities both inside and outside the home which expand learning in all areas of their development. Children are eager to learn and motivated in their play. They initiate their own play gathering together play kitchen equipment and request play dough from the childminder to extend this role play by making food. This develops children's fine physical skills and promotes their use of imagination. Children engage in fun activities outside the home. Many visits to local attractions and occasionally to the sea side, help them to learn and understand about the world around them. Children express themselves creatively through a variety of media including drawing and painting. Children communicate very well. They are asked questions to make them think and encouraged to talk about what they are doing. Younger children communicate effectively using simple sounds and gestures to which the childminder is attuned.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have very good social skills and are confident in their warm relationships with the childminder. The childminder serves tea at the table, where children sit and talk as they eat thereby fostering good table etiquette and promoting language development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder ensures that resources and activities positively represent individuals from the wider community which helps children develop positive attitudes towards

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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 others and learn to value different ways of life. They learn about other countries through engaging in activities focusing on babies from around the world. Good behaviour management strategies are effectively implemented. Lots of praise and encouragement is given to children; boosting confidence and self esteem. Children are well behaved and display very good manners. Children are encouraged to make decisions which enables children to feel good about themselves, develop a positive self-image and get on well together. Even the youngest children are learning how to share because they are praised not only by the childminder but also by other children. Children benefit from the very good partnerships developed between childminder and parents. Children are happy, very well-settled and benefit from good settling-in

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Helping children make a positive contribution

procedures before they start. They are cared for according to parents wishes which promotes continuity of care and well being. There are very effective systems in place to ensure information is shared on a regular basis about the child's progress and daily activities, through written policies, daily chats and diaries.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Space is effectively organised to meet the needs of the children so that they are able to initiate and extend their own play and learning. They move around freely and can independently reach their toys. Children receive excellent levels of individual time and attention from the childminder. Routines are organised around the needs of children demonstrating the childminder's high regard for their overall well being. The childminder is committed to on-going training. Since becoming registered she has completed the Developing Childminding Practice course, training in Birth to three matters and a course on special needs, to enhance her good practice with children. She is currently following the Children Come First quality assurance scheme with the Bradford Childminding Network. Documentation is kept in line with the National Standards and is well-organised. The childminder has all necessary parental permissions in writing and has several policies

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Organisation

which are shared with them. The complaints procedure does not yet reflect the recent changes regarding the provider's duty to self-investigate. The registration certificate is displayed and the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. Overall the needs of the children who attend are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection recommendations were made regarding training, the use of space and the provision of resources to reflect equality of opportunity. The childminder has improved her understanding of disability by attending training and providing suitable resources that reflect all aspects of equality, thereby enhancing her ability to raise children's awareness of the wider community. She has

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 also improved the way that space is used. The dining room table has been replaced and the room has been re-arranged so that children now have additional play space and can self-select their toys.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • review and develop the complaints procedure to include a system for recording complaints in line with new requirements.

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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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