The Chiltern School

Inspection report for early years provision

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109746 Unique Reference Number 13 September 2007 Inspection date Janet Armstrong Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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

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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.

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

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

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1992. She lives in a three-bedroom semi-detached house with her husband and two children aged 11 and 17 years. The family have a pet rabbit.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Downstairs is used as the main accommodation for childminding purposes. This comprises of a living/dining room and conservatory. Rest and toilet facilities are available on the first floor. The back garden is included in the registration.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for up to six children under the age of eight. There are currently 10 children on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association, the Borough of Poole Network, and the local childminding support group.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is promoted well. A clean, hygienic and well-maintained home enables children to play feely and safely. The childminder has attended health and safety in the workplace training to support her in her practices. She follows clear procedures for the safe administration of medication and recording of accidents. The childminder holds an up-to-date first aid certificate to support her. A written sick child policy that is shared with parents ensures that infectious children are excluded to help reduce their exposure to infection. Older children wash their hands using liquid soap and paper towels after using the toilet facilities. Younger children's hands are wiped with a wet wipe which does not fully maintain the high levels of hygiene that older children benefit from. Effective procedures are followed for changing nappies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have a good introduction to a healthy lifestyle. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure that all individual dietary needs are catered for and that children receive consistent and positive messages about healthy foods and choices. Children enjoy snacks of fruit, bread sticks and raisins and have regular drinks throughout the day. Children's physical development is promoted daily through local walks to the park and garden where they have access to a selection of equipment to help them develop and learn new skills, such as a trampoline, slide, ride on toys and ball games. On wet days, children enjoy music, movement and dancing activities. Day time sleep arrangements are not always appropriate for all younger children, where a buggy/car seat is used for one child. This does not fully promote physical development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is promoted well. The childminder organises her home effectively to provide children with a safe environment that is welcoming, well-maintained and free from clutter. She supervises the children well in their play and teaches them safe practices to enable them to start making a positive contribution towards their own safety. For example, children learn to tidy up as they go to reduce potential accidents. When out of the house, they learn how to cross the road safely and not to talk to strangers. Fire drills are practised every couple of months with the children so that they are aware of procedures to follow in an emergency situation. All the necessary precautions have been taken to reduce or remove potential hazards in the home and garden. The childminder monitors the environment, furniture, equipment and play provision on a regular basis to ensure it is safe and suitable for use to meet the needs and demands of

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is clear on the correct child protection procedures to follow should she have a concern about a child in her care. She has attended up-to-date training which means she is fully aware of her role and that of the Local Safeguarding Children Board. A written policy that is shared with parents enables her to work with them to positively promote children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled under the childminder's caring and loving approach. The positive levels of interaction they receive from the childminder ensures they are engaged in a range of

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 stimulating activities to promote their development and interests. The childminder has a good awareness and understanding of the children's individual needs and provides appropriate activities and choices to help them make progress. For example, when a baby is ready to start crawling, the childminder supports and encourages this to build upper body strength, by lying the infant on their tummy at regular intervals; she places interesting play provision just out of reach, and encourages the baby to stretch and move towards it with high levels of praise and applause.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have free access to a very good range of interesting play provision that covers all aspects of their development. It is stored in clear crates that enable the children to make independent choices to support and develop their ideas. A two-year-old child uses their imagination well to care for the babies. The childminder is skilful at recognising when to intervene to extend this and when to sit back and let the child explore. For example, the child decides to do some ironing. The childminder builds on this by reminding the child where a wider range of dolls clothes are kept and provides a 'washing basket' for it to be sorted and folded. The child becomes engrossed in play and chatters quietly. The childminder ensures that children are involved and challenged in their activities. For example, a two-year-old struggles to dress one of the dolls. Under positive levels of guidance, reassurance and encouragement the child

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

perseveres to successfully complete the task. This helps to develop children's personal independence and sense of achievement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have a positive introduction to the local environment and wider world in which they live. They learn about the local community through regular walks and trips to the park, library, Sealife Centre, Monkey World and museums. Access to a good range of play provision and some creative activities raises their awareness of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is a positive role model and manages children's behaviour well. She provides children with consistent boundaries that have been shared and agreed with parents for continuity of care. Children respond well to the clear instructions and reasons for what is expected of them and why. They learn to be kind to others, to share and say please and thank you.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are met well through the thorough documentation, consents and written records in place, that have been drawn up, shared and agreed with parents. Parents have access to a file that contains detailed information about the childminder's policies and procedures. Daily home books and discussions about the children's care needs, activities and progress ensures that both parties are kept well informed and up-to-date to promote continuity of care and provide children with a sense of belonging. The childminder is aware of the correct procedures to follow should she have a written complaint from a parent in line with current legislation.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well cared for in a relaxed and comfortable family home under high levels of supervision. The childminder organises her home and time effectively to provide children with lots of free space and good levels of support and positive interaction to support their needs. The childminder is currently completing NVQ level 3 in child care and education. Along with

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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 attending short courses and local child care meetings she is able to keep up-to-date and informed about relevant issues to monitor and improve her already good practices.

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Organisation

The childminder organises her documentation and written policies and procedures effectively to support her well in her role. These are reviewed regularly and shared with parents to promote a positive working partnership with parents. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider agreed to make sure that all hazards indoors and in the garden are removed. Children's safety has been improved through the positive action taken by the childminder. The washing line has been replaced with a retractable model that is not used when minding and the lock on the toilet door has been removed.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

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

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • further improve children's health through reviewing the hand hygiene routines followed and the sleeping arrangements for younger children.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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

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