Childminder in Bradford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 512329 Inspection date 12/03/2012 Inspector Ingrid Szczerban

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged 14 and 17 years, in the Thornton area of Bradford. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding which includes the lounge, dining room and kitchen. Children access the first floor to use the bathroom. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play and family has a dog and a pet duck.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register, and both the compulsory and the voluntary part of the Childcare Register to care for six children at any one time and is currently caring for eight children, on a part time and full time basis. Three children are in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder visits the local toddler groups on a weekly basis. She is a member of the Bradford Childminding Network and the National Childminding Association. The childminder is a qualified practitioner at level 3 in childcare and education.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Good attention is given to meeting the individual learning and development needs of children overall. They take part in a wide range of activities and make good progress in all areas of learning. Inclusive practice is promoted well and children are very much valued and respected as individuals. There are good systems in place to promote the welfare needs of children and effective relationships with parents and school are established. The childminder assesses the effectiveness of the setting well and areas for improvement are accurately identified. A good capacity to continuously drive improvement is demonstrated, in order to ensure that outcomes for children develop positively.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 enhance the systems used to make children aware of the full range of toys and resources that are available to them, in order to maximize their decision making abilities.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded well. All adults in the home have appropriate checks and the childminder has a clear understanding of how to report any concerns she may have about children. Comprehensive written risk assessments are effectively implemented and regularly reviewed by the childminder to ensure that children are safe. For instance, the doors are locked with keys out of children's reach so they This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 may not leave unsupervised. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and all necessary written consents from parents are obtained. Meticulous attendance, medication and accident records are accurate and up-to-date.

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the early years provision

Myriad toys and resources are available for children. Those kept in the dining kitchen are easily accessed by children stored in labelled boxes at child-height. More are kept in the front porch and in the garden shed which the childminder she says she rotates to sustain children's interest. However, these areas are not freely accessible to them so children may not always be aware of the entire range of resources. The toys are of very good quality and provide suitable challenges for the full age range of children who attend.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to continuous improvement. She evaluates her provision well and makes significant changes to enhance her provision. Parents, children and development workers are involved in the process and she regularly meets with other childminders to discuss good practice issues. The recommendations made at the last inspection have been implemented to an extent to improve outcomes for children. In addition the childminder has developed good systems for recording and monitoring children's development in the Early Years Foundation Stage and undertaken further training, such as food hygiene and equal opportunities. She is currently seeking funding to study for an Early Years degree.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents and carers are very good. The childminder gathers detailed information from parents prior to admission, enabling her to effectively meet individual children's needs and to help with settling-in. Parents are informed of their child's daily activities in several ways. They have free access to their child's development files, the childminder sends them emails, text messages and there is a blackboard in the kitchen with daily information, such as the tea time menu. Parents are reassured by the childminder that their child is happy because she takes photographs of them engaged in activities and sends them to their parents during the day. Good systems are in place for progressing learning between the childminder's setting and home. For instance, both work together to potty train a child. A teacher visits children at the childminder's home before they start school to make the transition as smooth as possible and the childminder continues to

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the early years provision

complement children's learning through regular discussions with the staff.

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and outcomes for children

The children make good progress in their learning and development. Accurate observations and assessments are made by the childminder and recorded in the development records. These include what children are interested in, what they are learning, and their individual next steps for progression. There are good systems in place to ensure that the six learning areas are consistently covered. The childminder gathers detailed information from parents before children begin their placement in order to plan activities tailored to their individual interests.

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and outcomes for children

Plans are used flexibly to follow the direction that children may wish to take, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 thereby sustaining their interest and promoting children's self-esteem. For instance, children's keen interest in exploration is fostered extremely well by the childminder who continually changes the items provided in a treasure box. She includes everyday objects, hairbrushes, woolly mittens as well as more unusual ones such as a foil insulation blanket, which is currently a firm favourite. The children wrap themselves in this and enjoy the texture and sounds it makes. So children learn extremely well about the world through their senses.

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and outcomes for children

Healthy, active lifestyles are promoted well. Children have daily exercise in the park or in the childminders garden. They learn what their bodies can do and build up their stamina and muscle control using swings and climbing frames. No processed foods are given to children all meals are cooked from scratch by the childminder. She talks to children about making healthy choices and involves them in food preparation. Excellent arrangements are made to teach children about where food comes from. Every year the childminder involves them in selecting seeds and planting and tending fruit and vegetables in her garden plots. They also learn well about safety being taught the correct way to use garden tools, such as trowels, spades and forks.

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and outcomes for children

Children are polite, well behaved and get on well together. They feel safe and are at ease in their warm and loving relationships with their childminder who provides them with lots of smiles, words of encouragement and practical support. High levels of individual attention are given to children and they are self-assured in their surroundings. They are good communicators using simple sentences and the childminder talks, sings and reads books to them to extend their capabilities. Children are creative and are provided with numerous opportunities to express themselves. They really enjoy music-making and strike wooden toys with a baton. Children are interested in numbers and shapes and show aptitude for this beyond their years. A child aged 19 months can recognise a diamond shape. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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