We have 67 Ofsted Outstanding childcare providers across the Bradford district so let’s celebrate together some of our Outstanding settings of 2022!  It is always a pleasure to read about the exceptional work that is carried out to support the youngest children in our district and how settings are preparing for the next stage of their learning journey.  Providers have been kindly sharing their inspection experiences for this special edition article which will now be a featured news feed at the start of each new year!

Ashfield House Nursery receive Outstanding on first Ofsted graded inspection The Management team and staff at Ashfield House on Norman Lane, Eccleshill were over the moon to be awarded an Outstanding rating at their first inspection since they opened in September 2019. Nursery Manager Jamie Izzard said he felt the inspection was conducted in a firm but fair manner with the focus very much on the quality of children’s education, in line with the new framework.The inspector wanted to know how we support Special Educational Needs (SEN) children in the setting and asked both key workers and Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCO) about the steps we take to ensure the children have the best possible outcomes. As part of the inspection she was able to talk with parents and learned how we work closely with them as partners. She spoke with staff members at length and during her feedback she commented on the good feeling she received about the nursery being family run and could see how committed and happy the staff were. She told Jamie the manager after speaking with the staff that it was clear that he had a very strong team behind him. Jamie agreed and said practitioners who join Ashfield House in the main stay with the nursery for a long time, with many of his staff team originally working since 2014 at the first Ashfield House. The outcome is particular exciting as this is the third Ofsted inspection in relation to the 2 Ashfield House nurseries - the other Ashfield House nursery received Outstanding on their first and second inspection.  Read the report here

Natasha Brown graded Outstanding on her first inspection Time to celebrate another 'Outstanding' graded setting in Bradford.  Natasha Brown, childminder shares her story.   "We have worked hard since opening our doors nearly three years ago to ensure we are the best we can possibly be.  Outstanding is what we were aiming for so we were absolutely ecstatic we reached our goal.  We work hard to provide the best care and to give the children the best possible start to their early years.  I would like to say a massive thank you to my family, staff and all the children and parents, and also everyone who has supported us.  We also wanted to tell other childminders and early years settings that the inspection was just like any other working day, where we could show the lovely Ofsted inspector all our hard work, and show how fantastic the children are.  We are so very proud.  These children deserve the best start in life and we now have recognition of what we are providing." Read the report here

Champion Childminding are rated Outstanding by Ofsted The childminders based in Toller, Bradford, impressed the inspectors when they saw how ‘independent’ and ‘eager’ the children were and the ‘high levels of interest and curiosity’ they displayed. Sumaira Tahir , Childminder at Champion Childminding, said: “It feels fantastic to be rewarded and recognised by Ofsted yet again for the third time in a row with an Outstanding grading “I’ve been working with children for over 21 years and I can honestly say I still have an overriding passion to help children grow in confidence and learn through play with the help of all my fantastic team, including Irum Tahir my daughter who is also an Outstanding Childminder. “I'd like to say a special thanks to all my parents who trust me to look after their wonderful children and give me such warm and kind feedback. “I’m also grateful to the support provided by our local authority especially Emma Davis my Early Education and Childcare Quality Officer for providing guidance and support whenever I've needed it.“I’d like to express my thanks to our Councillor Fozia who is always available to take my calls and gives her time so generously.  Fozia Shaheen, a ward councillor said: “I am delighted to see such a great achievement by a local community-based childminder, not just one but three Outstanding ratings from Ofsted. "This is clearly a testimony to the hard work, commitment and dedication the team have in ensuring the delivery of Outstanding childcare. I have seen this provision grow from strength to strength over the years. They are a very unique setting, not only do they provide opportunities for young children, but they also work closely with local schools and colleges to provide work experience/placements enabling people to gain the skills required to become a childminder or to work in a related field. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Sumaira Tahir, who manages this enterprise, and her team, for an amazing achievement. I wish them continued success for the future."  Read the report here

Outstanding for Childminder Sonya Wilson Sonya Wilson - Having worked as a childminder for 14 years, I am delighted to be recognised by Ofsted (once again) for the third time in a row, I have received outstanding.  The job has been a real pleasure for me and I have had such a rewarding experience caring for so many children.  Read the report here

   Sarah Greenwood Childminder receives Outstanding

Childminder Sarah Greenwood was pleased to receive her Outstanding grading in July 2022 after the inspector saw children flourish in the exceptionally nurturing and stimulating environment.

The childminder has ambitious expectations for children's development, and they make excellent progress from their starting points. The childminder uses her expert knowledge of each child to consistently challenge and extend their learning. Young children are learning to recognise their names, while others learn about fractions, as they cut and share fruit equally.

Sarah said “the inspector commented on my exemplarily practice and complimented me on delivering high quality communications with the children. The inspector noted the children were happy and engaged.”

The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. The childminder spoke to the inspector about the intentions for children's learning and spoke to children to find out about their time at the setting and observed interactions between the childminder and child.  Read the report here

Outstanding first inspection for Emma Robinson

Childminder Emma Robinson was graded Outstanding in her first inspection in June 2022, where the inspector saw children flourish and make excellent progress in this child-centered setting.

Children take part in daily circle time. They learn a wide variety of songs and rhymes and talk about their emotions. Children are able to practice using newly learned vocabulary. For example, children play with an animal playset. This helps them to remember the names of the animals that they saw on a visit to the safari park. This language-rich environment helps children to expand their vocabulary

Emma said “I have a good understanding of the children and their next steps, revisiting and following learning. The inspection had a huge focus on communication and language. My only advice would be to not be put off by lack of feedback on the day of inspection and know why you are doing your activities. I would also like to thank Emma Davis my Local Authority Officer for offering me support and reassurance leading up to my inspection”

The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she would ensure it is safe and suitable and spoke about her intentions for children's learning. Children communicated with the inspector who also observed the quality of education being provided indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children and carried out a joint observation of a circle time activity with the childminder. The curriculum was also discussed about how this is implemented and the impact on children's learning. Parents shared their views of the setting and the childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. Read the report here

Outstanding for Childminder Audrey Winn Audrey Winn has been childminding for 39 years and Wendy 22 years where they have worked with assistants and students. Audrey said “ My last 3 inspections have been Outstanding. I have always done activities to suit child’s individual needs, ages and interests and we spend lots of time in the outside environment. Times have changed, paper work and technology however we have always kept a book for each child with photos, children achievements and sayings from children as a record of their time with us. Children learn through play, activities and experiences we provide. A lot of our parents hear about us through word of mouth or other family members. We have supported parents and have formed good relationships together and are still in touch with a many parents that have left the setting.” “We would like to say a big thank you to every child we have cared for, for all the funny stories and sayings they have said, joining in with the activities and making it a fun place to be, and for putting up with our singing and making up songs about anything we are doing. The children have given us a lot of pleasure watching them develop into the individuals they are today, we couldn’t think of a better job as it gives us so much pleasure and fun”  Read the report here

 Childminder Diane Whitaker receives an Outstanding

Diane Whitaker's setting, based in Baildon, has progressed from ‘Good’ to ‘Outstanding’  The report, issued by Ofsted after its inspection on November 16, 2022, said: “Children thrive in the childminder's safe, warm and loving care.

'They happily play in the vibrant and expansively resourced environment. Children make excellent progress because of the highly challenging, inspiring and inventive curriculum.'

“Their learning is significantly enhanced by an exemplary range of outings, often linked to exciting topics that enrich children's experiences.”

Children at the setting are ‘eager’ and ‘highly motivated’ learners who develop their ideas, under the knowledge of the childminder and co-childminder who has extensive knowledge about science.

The curriculum allows the minder to undertake excellent assessments of children’s learning and plans educational programmes.

Children enjoy the minder’s approach and are ‘deeply engrossed’ in her ‘high quality interactions.’

The report added: “Older children show impressive mathematical skills. They follow home-made autumnal pattern cards and weigh conkers.

“Children also count acorns while skilfully placing them in the cardboard box using tongs. Younger children learn through exploring and investigating. For instance, they roll conkers down cardboard tubes.

“Four-year-old children have formed wonderful friendships. They happily chat away during activities and daily routines, where they manage their own self-care extremely well.

“Children readily use manners and speak to each other pleasantly.”

The setting provides children with the opportunity to develop their physical skills as well as teaches them about healthy lifestyles, as they visit museums, learn about medical history and find out what the human body looks like. Read the report here

Outstanding first grading for Childminder Joanne Pleasance

Childminder Joanne Pleasance was graded Outstanding in her first inspection in November 2022.The Ofsted inspector saw children play happily and flourish with the loving and nurturing childminder.

The inspector observed children take part in an inventive, captivating and limitless curriculum. This is expertly planned by the childminder and her co-childminder, who have a wealth of combined experience, knowledge, skills and qualifications.

Something which makes this setting unique is the exemplary outdoor curriculum and the amazing things that children learn about the wonderful world around them. For example, children visit castles, museums and the garden centre. They learn about amphibians, insects such as the honey bee and life cycles. Children explore autumnal items, which they have collected on a nature walk, with great intrigue.

Children develop exceptional independence and confidence as they do things for themselves. They freely move around the safe, richly resourced and highly stimulating environment. Children have extremely secure attachments to the childminder, who mirrors care routines from home. This helps children to develop high levels of emotional well-being. Four-year-old children model exceptional behaviour and social skills to their younger peers, who are learning to share and take turns.

Joanne said she is over the moon with her grading. The inspector spoke with the childminder and her co-childminder to understand how they organise the early years provision and implement the curriculum.  Read the report here

More outstanding childminders in our district to mention are: 

Sophie Weisinger,  Sarah Bruce  and Gail Burrows - Congratulations!