Childminder in Bradford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 302445 Inspection date 23 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 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 was registered in 1994. She lives with her husband two children aged 9 and 13 in a semi-detached house, in the Eccleshill area of Bradford, West Yorkshire. Most of the ground floor is used for childminding. Toilet facilities are situated on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden to the rear of the property. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding three children under 5 all day and one child after school. The childminder regularly attends a toddler group and also takes children out on

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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 many local outings. She is a member of the Bradford Childminding Network, partaking in their quality assurance scheme and the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows appropriate health and hygiene guidelines, washing her own hands and wiping down the changing mat after each nappy change. The home is clean and tidy in order to protect children from infection. Children remain healthy because they are protected from the harmful rays of the sun, high protection cream, sun hats and a shaded area for play, are provided when the weather is hot. The best interests of children are considered when there is a risk of the spread of infectious illnesses. Children enjoy lots of physical activity. They climb, walk, balance, run and jump on daily outings to groups, parks or in the garden. Hence, children develop a good sense of control and co-ordination over their bodies. Children rest according to their individual needs so that they remain healthy. Children are provided with regular drinks and food in good supply in order to meet

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Helping children to be healthy

their needs. They receive nutritious snacks such as fruit, cheese or breadsticks to keep them healthy, biscuits, sweets and crisps are only given in small amounts. However, the meals provided often include processed foods which curtails children's ability to learn how to make healthy food choices.

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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 plenty of freedom to move around the kitchen and dining-living room independently. Children are kept safe because the childminder has considered and minimised all potential hazards on the premises and gives high priority to safety on outings. Children are learning how to keep themselves from harm, they are reminded that they could get hurt if they climb on furniture. Their toys and books are stored at child height so they can reach them safely. The childminder uses the harnesses fitted on equipment for younger children, such as high chairs and push chairs to keep them from harm. Children freely access a wide range of toys and equipment which are safe, developmentally appropriate and of good quality. An abundance of toys ensures that children's interest in activities is sustained very well. The range of outdoor play equipment for children is excellent and many new items have been bought recently,

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

including a small bouncy castle, trampoline, swings and a see-saw. The childminder fully understands child protection issues and has a comprehensive written procedure to follow, should the need arise, thereby ensuring that children's

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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 welfare needs are met.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident in their warm relationships with the childminder, they are happy, very well-settled and receive plenty of reassuring cuddles, for example, when they are tired. Children benefit from regular routines planned around their needs which contributes to their emotional wellbeing. Children experience a wide range of activities both inside and outside the home which expand learning in all areas of their development. Young children attend weekly toddler groups which foster communication, creativity, social skills and develop physical skills. Children learn about the world around them, they visit local farms, museums with work horses and delight in crunching through piles of dried leaves in Autumn. Children express themselves creatively, they engage in many craft activities and love singing and moving in rhythm. Young children communicate their needs well through gestures and simple words to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

which the childminder is attuned. Vocabulary and language skills are developing well because children are asked questions to make them think and are encouraged to express their thoughts in their own words. Children get on well together and with adults. Consistent support and meaningful praise raises children's confidence in their own abilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides appropriate toys and occasional experiences that promote some aspects of other ways of life in the wider community, to help children learn to appreciate similarities and differences and develop positive attitudes to others. Children are very well behaved and polite, in response to the expectations of the childminder. Good use of praise and encouragement helps to build children's self-esteem and they are confident, happy and self-assured. Consistency of care for children is achieved from the positive relationships and effective communication that the childminder has developed with parents. This includes the daily sharing of information, both verbal and in the form of a diary for the baby. Children settle well as a result of well-planned introductory visits and the gathering of all relevant information from parents, to ensure that home routines are

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Helping children make a positive contribution

followed, thereby making the transition for children as seamless as possible.

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Organisation

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 benefit from receiving good levels of individual time and attention from the childminder. The childminder effectively organises space, routines and resources to meet the needs of all the children. Comprehensive documentation is kept to ensure that each child's welfare is given priority. Although the childminder is in breach of registration by not displaying the registration certificate, the procedure for showing it to prospective parents means that they are sure she is operating legally. The childminder is committed to on-going training, she belongs to the Bradford Childminding Network and is currently following their Children Come First, quality assurance scheme, to enhance her good practise with 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 actions and recommendations were raised regarding training, documentation, accessibility of drinks and organisation of resources. The provider has improved her ability to respond to children appropriately in case of a medical emergency by completing a suitable first aid course. She has improved her documentation and now has parental permission for outings in the car, the required contact details in case of child protection concerns, a written policy for children with special needs and a sickness policy, thereby meeting the welfare needs of children. Drinks are given to young children regularly, at least once an hour, to keep them healthy. The organisation of resources has been improved, children can now freely access their toys, this encourages independence and decision-making skills.

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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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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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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): • display the registration certificate • develop children's ability to make healthy food choices.

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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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