Calvert, Katrina Louise

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY399640 Inspection date 24/03/2010 Inspector Linda Filewood

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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 rates 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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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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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 2009. She lives with her husband, who is registered as an assistant, and children aged seven, nine and 11 in north Leeds. She uses all of her downstairs rooms for childminding. The garden is accessible to children for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder works with an assistant. When working alone, the childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five 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 an assistant, the childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 11 children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than six may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in this age group. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 works well with her assistant and uses her space and resources, both indoors and outdoors, successfully to create a welcoming environment for all children. Children are safe and secure in the childminder's care and form close and caring relationships with the childminder and her family. Children enjoy enhancing their skills as developmentally appropriate activities follow their current interests. The childminder works very closely with parents, to make sure that she has a clear understanding of each child's needs, preferences, abilities and home routines, especially for sleep. The childminder is beginning to evaluate her own practice and understands the importance of regularly reviewing her policies, procedures and documentation in order to safeguard children's welfare and help her identify areas for improvement within her practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop systems to evaluate and monitor the provision and outcomes for children to identify areas for improvement leading to clear identification of targets for further improvement. 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 has a very good awareness of her role in protecting the children's welfare and ensures that she informs parents of her responsibilities by sharing her policies with them. She supervises children closely at all times and works well with her assistant, who has undergone required vetting procedures, to make sure children feel secure and safe. The childminder uses her clear written risk assessments effectively to identify and minimise potential risks to children, and undertakes daily safety checks of the setting before children attend. Her home is welcoming and she organises it very well to meet each child's play and physical needs. As a result, children play in a safe environment and confidently access a wide range of developmentally appropriate resources, which support their independence and self-esteem. The childminder rotates her resources regularly to provide variety and stimulation, and always makes sure favourite toys are readily

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the early years provision

available. Resources, such as posters, small-world toys, books and dolls reflect the diversity within our society. Their effective use in general play supports children's understanding of similarities and differences. Children benefit from regular outings, such as visits to large outdoor play spaces, cafes, farms and other local amenities. This broadens the range of children's experiences, especially their social development as they play with larger groups of children at toddler group.

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the early years provision

The childminder uses regular contact with other professionals and updated information from her husband's childminder registration course to enhance her knowledge in order to improve the outcomes for children. This contributes to improving the quality of her care and the childminder demonstrates clear motivation in developing her service. The childminder is beginning to develop and make appropriate use of systems to support the evaluation of her practice and the children's well-being. She is starting to identify her strengths and some areas for development in order to sustain the continual improvement of the provision.

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the early years provision

The childminder shares plenty of information with parents about their children before and during their time with her. As a result, she is fully aware of each child's individual needs and is able to provide well for them. Children are comfortable in their routines. The childminder respects home routines and makes sure that she fully meets each child's needs, especially when they are tired. She keeps parents up-to-date with their children's activities and achievements through detailed daily verbal discussions and encourages parents to share in their children's individual profiles. Parents comment positively about the care their children receive and are very pleased in the way their children settle quickly with the childminder, the good progress their children make and the high priority the childminder places on safety. The childminder understands the benefits of building positive working partnerships

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the early years provision

with other providers, organisations and services to support children's well-being and continual development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children settle quickly due to their warm relationships with the childminder and participate well with the play equipment on offer. Young children chatter as they play, confidently express their needs and talk happily to visitors. For example, they identify themselves in a photograph feeding the ducks at the park and talk about the bread they gave them. The childminder interacts well with the children by introducing new words into their vocabulary and making sure she includes them all in the conversations. She ensures children feel safe and secure with her, and children are familiar with her expectations. For instance, they know that they must not touch the television and mimic the childminder's hand movement for 'no'. Children receive clear age-appropriate explanations about mopping up spills so that they have safe areas for play and do not fall, especially when children are beginning to develop their walking skills. They respond positively to the

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and outcomes for children

childminder and are developing good manners and social skills. The setting is child led, with children making free choices from play equipment and deciding what to have for snack from the healthy options available. The childminder supports their play and exploration with skilful interaction and plenty of praise. This helps promote their confidence and self-esteem. Children show plenty of curiosity and take delight in copying the use of a laptop. They enjoy exploring the abundant contents of toy boxes and are fascinated as they spin a wheel around on a toy they are playing with.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of child development and knows how to promote each child's good development in all areas of learning. She knows each child well and carries out regular observations of their development and achievements in relation to their starting points. The childminder clearly identifies the next steps in their learning, recognises how each child learns and uses the information well when planning future activities. For example, she extends activities and provides extra resources for children who use sensory exploration to connect with their immediate environment. The children enjoy a good variety of play opportunities across the six areas of learning through a good balance of adult-initiated and child-led experiences and they are making good progress. Young children's physical skills are developing well and the childminder constantly praises their emerging walking skills. They use crayons to make marks

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and outcomes for children

on paper supporting their fine motor skills and develop these skills further when playing with large construction bricks. Children show pride in their achievements when they fasten a brick onto a base by themselves.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. They have daily opportunities for fresh air and enjoy the large, safe open space of a local playing field. This supports children's understanding of taking regular exercise in order to achieve a healthy lifestyle. The childminder works carefully with parents to make sure that children benefit from a healthy diet and the childminder plans her meals well to provide the children with home cooked, balanced meals. Children follow good personal hygiene routines and the childminder clearly explains to them why they should wash their hands before eating. The childminder encourages children to manage age- appropriate tasks, such as holding their cups while drinking and tidying away toys This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to promote their independence and help them learn skills for the future. Children are beginning to understand the effect their behaviour has on others and gentle

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and outcomes for children

reminders from the childminder help them understand that they must consider others during play. 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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and managed?

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 3 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 2 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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