Chessington School

Inspection report for early years provision

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148407 Unique Reference Number 10 December 2007 Inspection date Carol Patricia Willett 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 outstanding. 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 1997. She lives with her two children, one adult and one attending high school, in a house on the outskirts of Crowthorne in Berkshire. The family have no pets. Minded children have access to the lounge for sleep purposes, the kitchen and playroom and converted garage. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children under eight years. She is currently caring for six children. She is registered to provide overnight care for one child.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has attended an approved course of training for childminders and several training courses to update and improve her knowledge as a childminder. She holds a current first aid qualification. She is a member of National Childminding Association and Wokingham childminding network.

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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 outstanding. Children are cared for in an exceptionally well maintained home where they learn the importance of excellent hygiene and personal care. The childminder has highly effective hygiene routines and procedures which ensure the areas where the children play and sleep are extremely child friendly, comfortable, clean and safe. Children develop an excellent understanding of personal hygiene as they are encouraged to wash their hands at appropriate times and the childminder encourages their developing skills as they learn to use the toilet independently. Children use separate named towels to reduce the risk of cross-infection. They put aprons on to protect their clothes as they undertake craft activities, such as sticking and painting. Children's health is promoted as the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and maintains very good accident and medication records.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children eat a varied selection of healthy, nutritious meals and snacks which are well prepared as the childminder has an excellent understanding of healthy eating. Children are able to experience a range of foods from other cultures of children attending during the family cultural festivals. They have free access to drinks throughout the day. Meal times are social occasions where children talk to the childminder and each other about their lives and experiences. Children's dietary needs are well met as the childminder keeps comprehensive, well organised records and shares daily information about their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Physical activity is highly regarded and children are able to develop their physical skills in a wide range of activities on a daily basis. They enjoy daily walks and activities in the garden. They enjoy dancing and moving to music, use wheeled toys and further develop their skills as they use a variety of large equipment at local parks including California Country Park and the Look Out. This helps to develop their coordination and control over their bodies. Children are able to rest and sleep according to their needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children thrive as they are cared for in an exceptionally well-maintained home as the childminder organises the space well, providing a dedicated play area and easily accessible toy storage so children can play freely and in comfort. They freely wander between the playroom and kitchen where they excitedly complete craft activities, sat at the table. They access an excellent range of varied resources to meet their needs and are happy, relaxed and secure in the stimulating, homely environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder arranges the playroom for children's arrival so they feel welcomed and have a sense of belonging. There are educational posters and displays of the children's work which they proudly show. They also bring art from home to put on the display board. The children are able to self select from an extremely varied range of toys and play resources, stored in labelled boxes, which are very good quality and meet safety standards. Children's safety is extremely well promoted as the childminder carries out regular checks on toys and equipment. The children sit on booster seats at the table to promote their safety at craft activities. The childminder is exceptionally safety conscious and attentive and closely supervises the children both indoors and on outings to ensure their safety at all times. For instance, on outings she takes information about the children and contact details of another childminder in the event

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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 of an emergency. Visitors sign in a book and the children regularly practise fire evacuation so they become confident in an emergency. The childminder completes an annual risk assessment and completes a daily check to ensure all areas used by the children are safe and secure taking positive measures to minimise risks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is extremely well promoted as the childminder follows the required procedures and has an excellent range of documentation in place. She recognises her responsibilities towards the children in her care and is aware of signs and symptoms of abuse. The childminder is proactive in developing her own knowledge which ensures children are extremely well protected as she has completed training in child protection and health and safety. She records accident and incident details effectively. She has appropriate insurance cover in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely confident, happy and secure as the childminder has a warm and caring manner and excellent interactive skills. The childminder has excellent organisational skills so the children play and learn in a stimulating environment where they make good progress in all areas. Activities are well prepared. The children receive cuddles and meaningful praise which increases their sense of belonging and encourages them to be increasingly independent. These close and caring relationships increase the children’s sense of trust and help them develop a strong sense of self. The childminder provides and manages a range of exciting activities and experiences to keep the children happy and stimulated. For example, they have enormous fun and join in craft activities with enthusiasm and interest. They enjoy sticking foam shapes on paper and enjoy exploring the tactile experience using their fingers as they rub the glue all

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

over their hands. The childminder is extremely well prepared as she has wipes readily to hand and the children help themselves as they competently clean their hands.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder observes children's achievements and uses tracker books to plan for their next steps in their development. The children are gently encouraged to join in with activities, for example, singing and listening to stories, which they join in with enthusiasm talking about the sun and the moon at night as the childminder reflects on the story. Excellent teaching strategies with lots of conversation develop children's skills, thinking and learning. The children develop social skills as they have their snack as they are encouraged to talk about their families and what they did at the weekend talking about ice-skating and the blister on their foot. Children talk about the letters in their name as the childminder writes their names on their pictures. The older children write their own names talking about the letter sounds and count the letters. Children benefit from regular outings as they go out most mornings to the local toddler group,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

park, library, shops and to places such as California Country Park and the Look Out, which promotes their learning, develops social skills and stimulates their interest in the wider world. They take part in an excellent range of outings which extends their learning and development when they go on organised outings to a children's farm and the fire station with the local childminding group. The children make excellent progress as the childminder has a very positive and enthusiastic approach to childcare and to the children's overall development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children are valued and cared for according to their individual needs. The childminder develops very close relationships and children quickly form strong bonds which results in them

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 being secure and very well settled. Children's behaviour is excellent. The childminder has a positive, clear and consistent approach to behaviour management, which means children know what is expected of them and they feel secure. Children play very happily together and they learn to share and take turns as the childminder uses her effective skills to encourage and help them develop their relationships with one another. Children all have equal access to toys and activities and they receive excellent support and attention from the childminder according to their individual stage of development. They begin to learn about differences within society as they have access to a wide range of resources reflecting positive images, such as dolls, posters and an excellent range of books. They learn about the local community as they visit toddler

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Helping children make a positive contribution

groups and parks where they meet a wide range of adults and children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has excellent strategies for building good relationships with parents which contributes significantly to children's wellbeing. She ensures records of activities and procedures are comprehensive and clear, and religiously shares information to ensure consistency and help parents feel actively involved in their children's development. The childminder has excellent strategies to promote the care of children with additional needs. She attends additional training to ensure she administers medication correctly. She works closely in partnership with parents as she attends conferences with them to develop greater knowledge and understanding of specific syndromes.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children receive outstanding care as the childminder is very experienced and has a warm, caring, attentive manner. She has highly effective organisational skills and organises the environment, resources and documentation extremely well to enable children's needs to be effectively met. The areas used for play are well-maintained, safe, welcoming and child friendly which allows children to feel comfortable and secure in her home. Children are able to play safely and select resources freely which develops their confidence and independence skills. They receive very good support from the childminder who has a good understanding of how children learn so they make good progress in all areas of development.

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Organisation

Children receive high quality care as the childminder has a good knowledge of the National Standards for childminding and is using the Birth to three matters framework to develop her practice. She makes time to read through new guidance, such as the Early Years Foundation Stage and incorporates it into her practice. She ensures children are well supported at all times as she maintains the required ratios and closely supervises them both in and outside the home. Children benefit from the childminder's enthusiastic commitment to developing her own professional practice as she attends many workshops. She is part of an active childminding group who discuss current issues and others' inspection outcomes. This is used to extend her knowledge and skills and develop her childminding practice and contributes to the high quality of care.

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Organisation

The childminder has an excellent awareness of her childminding responsibilities and maintains a comprehensive range of documentation which she uses effectively to underpin her practice. She develops excellent relationships with parents and uses a variety of means to keep them informed of their children's development and progress and to make sure the children's needs are well known. This ensures she is able to effectively promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to improve some documentation to improve safety for the children. She has taken effective steps to address the issues. The childminder keeps all required documentation including emergency contact details for parents. She also takes children's details with her on outings. This ensures children's welfare is safeguarded in an emergency. The childminder has developed written information to inform parents of the procedure to be followed should they have a concern, and displays contact details for Ofsted. This ensures parents are kept fully informed. The childminder completes annual written risk assessments which include overnight care. This ensures children's safety is promoted.

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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. 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 outstanding. 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

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

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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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