Childminder in Bradford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 505124 Inspection date 16/02/2012 Inspector Abigail Cunningham

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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 1984. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Bradford, West Yorkshire. The whole of the converted basement is used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The family has two cats as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. When working on her own, she may care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. When working with either a registered childminder or an assistant, they may care for a maximum of twelve children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than six may be in the early years age range. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. There are currently three children on roll who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom attend on a full-time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a level 4 childcare qualification. She has completed a quality assurance scheme and is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local childminding network.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder is highly committed to working in partnership with others and takes a lead role in establishing effective working relationships with parents and other professionals. The welfare of the children is promoted exceptionally well and is significantly enhanced by the childminder's policies, procedures and practice, which are implemented with a high level of consistency. Proactive systems are in place, which lead to continued improvement. Children's learning and development is exemplary and they are achieving as much as they can. Therefore, the outcomes for children are excellent.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 encouraging parents to add their comments and observations to their child's development record. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Positive steps are taken to safeguard children. The childminder has a comprehensive awareness of safeguarding issues and has attended safeguarding training. Effective procedures are in place for identifying any child at risk of harm and for recording concerns. The childminder has previous experience of recording confidential information and liaising with the appropriate external agencies. The environment in which children are cared for and educated is safe and supportive. Children are taught to be safety conscious without being fearful. They show a strong understanding of how to keep themselves safe through helping the childminder carry out risk assessments and fire drills. She also uses books to help the children understand about not talking to strangers. While on outings the childminder helps to keep the children safe; for instance, they wear high-visibility vests and she shows them how to cross roads safely.

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the early years provision

Actions taken by the childminder are well-chosen and carefully planned. She has adapted her practice and focuses on promoting children's communication, language and literacy skills. The childminder is successful in making and sustaining improvements, for example, she has established excellent links with other childcare providers. Service user views are sought and acted upon; for instance, the menus were updated as a result of listening to children. Future improvements are well placed to bring positive outcomes for children, and these include attending further training.

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the early years provision

Feedback from parents is extremely positive, for example, numerous letters can be seen within the childminder's information file. Parents are extremely well informed about all aspects of their children's achievement, well-being and development. For instance, regular written reports are sent home to pass on information about each child's progress. Parents also receive information via daily message books and verbal feedback from the childminder. Parents write about special events in their child's message book. However, they are not adding any comments or observations to their child's development record.

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the early years provision

All children are valued and engage in a wide range of activities and experiences which help them to value diversity. They have a very positive attitude to others and an excellent understanding about the wider world and community. This is because the children enjoy playing with a wide selection of resources which reflect positive images, such as, books, play figures, dressing up outfits, dolls from around the world, jigsaw puzzles and games. They also play harmoniously with children from different cultural backgrounds and learn about cultural events, such as Chinese New Year and Eid.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very experienced in caring for children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. There are well-established channels of communications between all partners involved with individual children, which successfully promotes their learning, development and welfare. For example, where children attend other settings, the childminder has permission from parents to share information with the other childcare providers. She has introduced herself This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to the teaching staff and shares important information. In order to positively promote the transition to school, the childminder provides a transition report, visits the school and invites the staff to visit her setting.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely content and settled because their individual health, physical and dietary needs are met to an exceptional standard. They enjoy their food and taking part in cooking activities; for example, they bake buns and make their own pizzas. The children brush their teeth after lunch and also practise brushing the set of model teeth. Also, through the use of story books, the children are developing a very good understanding of how to keep themselves healthy. The environment is managed very well and carefully looked after. Furniture, equipment and resources are of high quality and suitable for the ages of children to support their learning and development, such as low-level tables, chairs, a den and torches.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a thorough understanding of how children develop and learn, which is clearly reflected in the planning and assessment records. Children are provided with an excellent and interesting range of activities which are primarily based on their current interests. Assessment and monitoring through high-quality observations is rigorous and the information gained is used very effectively to identify the next steps in learning and to guide planning. Tracking systems clearly demonstrate how the children are making rapid progress in their learning and development. The childminder also uses this as an effective tool to identify and plan for any gaps in the children's learning.

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and outcomes for children

Young children are very interested in technology and know how to operate the touch screen monitor. They regularly go out for nature walks in the local community to see the horses and cows. They have opportunities to socialise with other children because the childminder attends various toddler groups. As a result, children are developing an excellent knowledge and understanding of the world. They enjoy listening to their favourite stories and making marks with various tools and malleable materials, such as, pens, pencils, crayons and paints. They can name colours and shapes, count from one to five and successfully name numbers.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is an excellent role model as she is very positive person and enjoys having fun with the children. As a result, their behaviour is exemplary. They enjoy interacting with others and show high levels of independence; for instance, they can wash their own hands, pour their own drinks, use good manners without being prompted to do so, and stick at tasks. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

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

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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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