Childminder in Bradford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY357792 Inspection date 22/03/2012 Inspector Cathleen Howarth

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and a child aged one year in Thornton Bank Top, Bradford. The childminder's husband and her father, who lives near by, are registered by Ofsted to assist when required. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding and there is provision for outside play in the back garden. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for four children under eight years, of which no more than two may be in the early years age group at any one time. Currently there are three children attending part-time in the early years age range. The childminder takes children to and from local schools and transport is usually provided. She attends toddler groups and play sessions at the local children's centres.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Bradford Childminding Network. She has obtained a Diploma in Home Based Childcare in addition to a level 3 qualification in Childcare and Early Years. She is an approved childminder who is accredited to provide free nursery education places.

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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

The childminder has made significant improvements since the last inspection, with impressive strides made in helping children to feel safe and develop skills in the area of positive contribution. A distinct feature of the childminder's success is her calm, caring nature and her professional approach to supporting children. Inclusive practice is firmly embedded in all aspects of the provision, and as a result, children's individual needs are well met, and they make good progress in most areas of their learning. Self-evaluation is highly effective, and the childminder demonstrates she has excellent capacity to make independent and continuous improvements.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the use of assessments to improve their progress towards the early learning goals in all aspects of problem-solving, reasoning and numeracy. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder's in-depth awareness of safeguarding issues is good. She fully understands her role in child protection, which includes the procedures to follow should a concern arise. Risk assessments are fully compliant with requirements and effectively promote children's safety at the setting and on outings. The effective deployment of resources, in addition to the physical layout of the setting, meets the needs of children well and clearly enhances their experience at the setting.

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the early years provision

There are highly effective systems in place for self-evaluation. Aspects of the provision that the childminder intends to develop are clearly prioritised through the local authority quality assurance scheme. She works closely with the local authority childcare coordinator and, as a result, was well prepared for the inspection. The childminder is an exceptionally good reflective practitioner who is clearly focused on meeting the individual needs of children. She intends to continue training to keep up to date with forthcoming developments to the Early Years Foundation Stage and improve outcomes for children. The childminder is highly motivated and she has significantly developed the service she provides since the last inspection. She has attained a Diploma in Home Based Childcare as well as a level 3 qualification in Childcare and Early Years, and was recently awarded accreditation to provide free nursery education.

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the early years provision

The childminder places the promotion of equality of opportunity at the heart of all her work. Adult-to-child ratios are very good, and the childminder works with two assistants who have secure knowledge of each child's background and needs. Transition arrangements are well organised, and new children settle quickly in a homely, supportive environment.

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the early years provision

A strong aspect of the provision is working in partnership with parents. Parents commend the childminder for the way in which she consistently delivers a good service. A parent commented, "She is very attentive to the children's needs and she gives them a hundred per cent. She is very flexible and accommodating and I don't know what we would do without her". The childminder plans time with parents to discuss children's welfare and progress, and this helps to effectively promote continuity of care and development. The effectiveness of working in partnership with others is also good. This includes the systems that are in place to provide for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Relevant information is routinely obtained at registration, and the childminder liaises with other agencies to ensure children are fully included and take part at a level appropriate to their needs.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Overall, she promotes children's learning and development well, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and children's progress in most areas is good in relation to their starting points and capabilities. However, the recording of some aspects of children's learning in problem-solving, reasoning and numeracy hinders the childminder's ability to plan children's next steps in an organised way.

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and outcomes for children

Overall, children's behaviour is impressive. They play well together and on their own. Children do not feel they need to be at the centre of adult attention because they feel loved, safe and secure in the presence of the childminder and her assistants. The have-a-go ethos promotes inclusion extremely well, and all children are fully included and involved. Children display high levels of camaraderie, fellowship and cooperation, and this is clearly a result of the good examples and attitudes set by the adults who care for them. Children's commitment and understanding of sustainability is exemplary. For example, they have planted and grown strawberries, blackberries, onions, carrots, potatoes and tomatoes in the back garden and they collect them in a bucket to wash and eat. Children know that other children have less than they have, and they collect useful items for a shoe box appeal and take used toys and books to a local charity shop. Good citizenship

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and outcomes for children

is positively promoted and an integral part of the provision. For example, children regularly take part in fundraising events for different children's charities.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe, and their understanding of danger and keeping safe is promoted exceptionally well. For example, children use ride-on and push-along equipment in the back garden, learning how to read and navigate inflatable road signs. They effectively transfer their knowledge and understanding of road safety when they leave the setting. For example, they know to cross the busy road holding the childminder's hand and to use the island in the middle of the road to stop, look and listen before crossing safely to the other side. Children learn about people who help us, such as the crossing warden and police officers. They dress up in relevant costumes, using props and accessories like helmets and stop signs, to practise what they know. Trips and outings are highly organised to minimise potential risks to children. Children carry a telephone key ring with contact details in case they get lost, and they know not to go off with strangers.

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and outcomes for children

Children's good health is promoted well and this includes healthy eating. Children know to eat their savouries before starting their desserts. They move freely from inside to outside as they play, and the back garden is used effectively and is well resourced with high quality outdoor play equipment such as a slide, scooters and other ride-on equipment. There are good routines, procedures and facilities for nappy changing and toilet training to develop children's independence and self- help skills. Areas of the home used by children are clean and well ventilated to minimise the risk of the spread of infection. The childminder works in partnership with parents to ensure daily routines for babies are maintained to positively promote their good health, for example through effective provision for rest and sleep.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder knows that the very young respond to what they see, hear, smell, touch and feel, and ensures relevant resources are always within easy reach on the floor and that sensory experiences vary. Children are fully engaged with the childminder who shows them she is interested in what they say and do. Children use phonic activity centres, using knobs, flaps and buttons to learn about cause This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and effect. They play with puzzles on the floor, trying to fit shapes, numbers and animals into inset jigsaws. There is a wide range of resources used to stimulate their imagination, such as experimenting with musical instruments, dance and movement. Children learn how to make and bake fairy cakes, and they look forward to eating what they have made. Effective measures like these provide firm foundations for children to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills that

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and outcomes for children

are required for later life. 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 2 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 1 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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