Calvert, Karen

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 320345 Inspection date 07/02/2011 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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children, aged eight and 13, in the Chapel Allerton area of Leeds. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The side door is used for access.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding six children on a part-time basis. Of these, five are within the early years age range. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and the voluntary part of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. Regular outings to various groups and parks are undertaken with children and she 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 welfare needs of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage are met well. Good attention is given to meeting the learning and development needs of children. Children take part in a wide range of activities and make good progress in all areas of learning. Inclusive practice is promoted quite well and children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder assesses her provision well and identifies areas for improvement. She demonstrates a good capacity to continuously improve. Relationships with parents, carers and the schools where children attend are positive.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend further the children's experience of diversity to include music and foods from around the world on a regular basis  develop systems to more fully involve parents in the evaluation of the service.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded well. All adults in the home have undergone appropriate checks. The childminder has a clear understanding of how to report any concerns she may have about children as she has completed training in child protection. The written risk assessments are effectively implemented and reviewed by the childminder to ensure that children are kept from harm. All potential hazards on This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the premises are minimised, electric sockets are covered and a safety gate is used at the bottom of the stairs. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and keeps all required written consents from parents.

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the early years provision

The home is clean, warm and well-maintained and good hygiene practice, such as washing hands before eating, protects children from the risk of any cross infection. A clear sickness policy is implemented. Toys are stored at child-height and most can be accessed freely. Inclusion and diversity are promoted quite well. The childminder finds out about each child in order that she can successfully provide for their individual learning and they feel welcome. She follows routines from home so that children settle in well. The toys and books that children use reflect positive aspects of diversity and festivals are celebrated so that they begin to appreciate similarities and differences. However, foods and music from around the world are not regular features of the provision.

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the early years provision

The childminder assesses her provision well and makes improvements. For instance, the recommendations raised at the last inspection are fully addressed. Existing injuries to children are now recorded and they have more natural materials to explore. The childminder has enrolled on a Level 3 childminding course and has completed further training, such as safeguarding children and Early Years Foundation Stage. She has followed help and advice from the local authority's development worker and from other childminders to improve her written records. As a result she has devised effective risk assessments which are rigorously implemented to minimise any hazards to children. Good account is taken of the views of the children when planning activities to follow their interests but the evaluation system does not fully include the parents.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents and carers are positive. The childminder gathers in depth information from parents prior to admission, enabling her to effectively meet individual children's needs and to help with settling in. Parents have access to all of the policies and procedures which they sign to say they have read and agree with. Parents are informed of their child's daily activities verbally at drop off and collection times and they have free access to their child's development record so that learning is shared. The childminder has established good links with the school where children attend to ensure that individual learning is complemented.

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and outcomes for children

The children make good progress in their learning and development and there are good systems in place to ensure that the six learning areas are consistently covered. Observation and assessment records are made by the childminder. These include what children are interested in, what they are learning and their next steps for progression. Detailed information is gathered from parents before children start so suitable activities are planned. The plans of activities are informed by asking and observing children to reflect the direction that they wish to take, thereby sustaining their interest and promoting children's self-esteem and creative ideas. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Effective practices are employed to ensure that children learn how to keep themselves safe. For instance, the childminder reminds them take their drinks to the table and they learn about fire safety when fire fighters visit their playgroup.

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and outcomes for children

Through discussions, involvement in food preparation and themed topics on food, children learn well about healthy eating. The meals are balanced and nutritious. Children also learn about nature and growing food as they pay regular visits to an allotment which belongs to the childminder's father. Active lifestyles are promoted well. Children learn to run, climb, jump, balance, throw and kick as they use equipment in the childminder's garden and at the groups they attend. So they build good muscle tone, stamina and learn what their bodies can do.

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and outcomes for children

Children get on well together. They are well mannered and well behaved. The children are happy and settled with their childminder who provides praise, encouragement and good support for them as they play. For instance, she encourages them to sort and match by colour the pieces of a track as they fix them together. Such construction activities promote problem solving skills and children learn how things work.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn well about the world around them. The childminder takes them to numerous interesting places, such as visiting her uncle's small holding where there are animals. One child has a particular interest in cars and vehicles and can name many makes and models. This passion is nurtured by the childminder on outings who encourages the children to count cars or buses or lorries. Children enjoy a wealth of art and craft activities on weekly visits to groups where they paint and play in the sand and water. They love role play and pretend to make breakfast for the childminder. They ask how many eggs she would like, she replies 'two' and then asks 'how many did you make altogether?'. 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 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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