St Andrew's Preparatory School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 118964 Inspection date 15 July 2005 Inspector Marie Thompson

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

p.2

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1993. She lives with her husband and one adult child, in College Town, Sandhurst, Berkshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding four all of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group and takes children to the local library and to the local park. The childminder has one

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 dog and a cockatiel. The childminder supports children with special educational needs. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy a vast and stimulating range of activities, which actively contributes to their good health. Each day there is outdoor activities to help them to develop control of their bodies, for example as they dig in the garden, ride on wheeled toys or enjoy a nature walk. Garden games and regular visits to the local parks and playgrounds improve children's physical skills. They become increasingly aware of the way activity affects their bodies and know when they need a drink or a rest. The younger children join in the activities enthusiastically because the childminder makes excellent use of the Birth to three frameworks. Her exceptional understanding about appropriate types of activities and levels of support gives them confidence to try out new skills, set their own limits and know when to ask for help. Children are cared for in an extremely warm, clean home where they learn the

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

importance of good hygiene and personal care. Their clear understanding of why they must wash their hands after touching the dog or animals in the garden, frog and hover flies, and after using the toilet reduces the risk of cross contamination. Children understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They help themselves to drinking water, and an excellent range of juices or milkshakes through the day, which prevents them from dehydrating. The childminder takes account of the wishes of the parents and the children's choices to provide nutritious snacks that appeal to the children and meet dietary needs.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a spacious home where, the childminder identifies all risks and minimises hazards. This means they are able to move around very safely, freely and independently. The childminder gives extremely high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe and to maintaining children's safety outside the home by establishing a balance between freedom and setting safe limits. This allows children to learn some sense of danger and knowledge about how to protect them from harm. Children independently select activities from an ample range of stimulating and interesting toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. The childminder carefully and skilfully monitors and supervises children's choices of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. The childminder consistently applies her exceptional policies and procedures to safeguard

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 and promote the welfare of the children. For example, the child minder holds current first aid certificate and has a good understanding of child protection procedures in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children settle extremely well at the childminder's house. They enter confidently and make themselves at home. They relate exceptionally well to each other and socialise with other children through regular attendance at the local toddler groups. Children independently choose between a variety of imaginative and dynamic toys, books and activities that appeal to all. Children listen and respond to tapes of rhymes, stories and songs. Children with special needs join in safely and are fully included because of the sensitive adult support and extremely well-planned adaptations to resources and activities. All children spend their time purposefully engrossed in an exciting range of highly innovative and developmentally appropriate indoor and outdoor activities which provide optimal challenge. For example, exploring an exceptional range of activities, which contribute to their creativity, such as dancing, listening and

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

moving to music, playing instruments, painting, baking, gardening and nature walks.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder provides an excellent range of stimulating activities and resources that promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children's awareness and their understanding of others. For example, they talk about different festivals and celebrations across the world. Children have extensive opportunities to learn about their local community as they visit the local library, parks, adventure playgrounds and local places of interest. Children feel respected as individuals and made to feel good about themselves. Children follow excellent daily routines, which enables them to feel secure. Children show care and concern for each other, and play harmoniously together. They enjoy each other's company and treat each other kindly, which helps them to learn to respect each other and their surroundings. Children play extremely confidently and effectively on their own or with others. Children benefit from praise and they behave

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

exceptionally well. Excellent explanation helps children learn right from wrong and teaches them self-discipline. Children make themselves at home, confidently deciding what to do, helping themselves to drinks and independently visiting the toilet. They have time to relax as well as be active, which develops the children's independent freedom of choice.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The children feel at home and at ease with the extremely well-organised

p.4

Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 environment, which means they relish their time in the setting. Indoor and outdoor space is laid out exceptionally well to maximise play opportunities for children. This means they are extremely confident and self-assured to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The childminder uses her outstanding policies and procedures to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. Parents receive information regularly, which, keeps them extremely well informed about the service and their child's activities. This contributes to continuity and excellence of care. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure household members were fully vetted, improve her system for recording medication and inform parents of the arrangements in place for emergency cover. All household members have now undergone relevant vetting procedures, and medication records are now fully countersigned by parents. The information received by parents now includes the names and addresses of persons identified to provide emergency cover. These measures contribute to ensuring children's continued health, safety and wellbeing.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.5