Chilton Priory School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 130002 Inspection date 11 January 2006 Inspector Suman Willis

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 was registered in 1993. She lives with her husband and three adult children aged 16, 18 and 20 years in North Watford close to all local amenities. The whole of the 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 six children, five of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She is an active member of the local childminding group which she regularly takes the children to.

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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 The childminder has two gerbils, a hamster and fish as pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy fresh air daily as they walk to and from school. They are developing their physical skills as they move around the furniture with ease and share with adults their jumping skills. Children stay healthy because of the good practices the childminder has in place. For example children have their own face flannels, and the childminder wipes down the nappy changing mat with disinfectant between nappy changes, therefore minimising cross infection. Parents' permission to administer emergency aid and medication is in place. However, children's health is not fully monitored as records of accidents are not always signed by parents. Children are protected by the childminder who has up to date first aid training. Children stay healthy and are well nourished. The childminder encourages parents to provide food, however, she monitors these well to ensure that they are nutritious.

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Helping children to be healthy

She encourages children to try new tastes by offering a variety of fruits such as mangoes and kiwi. The childminder shares their likes and dislikes with parents, therefore working effectively with parents to ensure that children's individual dietary needs are met. Children are familiar with having fruit for snacks as they ask for apples at snack time. The childminder has attended training in the 'Birth to three matters' framework and implements this into her practice well.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment. Children have easy access to a wide range of age appropriate resources which are stored in plastic boxes. This enables them to make independent choices as they select their own play materials. The childminder carries out a regular risk assessment and implements safety procedures such as a stair-gate, cupboard locks and socket covers to enable children to play free from harm. Children play in a secure area outside and the childminder provides clear boundaries by placing a mobile fence in front of the greenhouse and pond. Therefore, children are developing their understanding of safety boundaries. Permission for parents to take children on outings is obtained and children learn about road dangers as they walk to and from school. Children are protected from harm because of the childminder's sound understanding of child protection procedures and all adults over the age of 16 are vetted.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very settled in the childminder's care. They are engrossed in their activities as they engage in free play in the kitchen and dining room. Children enjoy selecting their own play materials from the extensive range available to them. They use their own initiative as they ask to paint a picture of a Christmas tree, thus recalling their memory of Christmas. Children's interest is fully sustained as they choose different colours to paint their picture. They are offered lots of praise and encouragement such as 'what a lovely picture, shall we paint another one'. This makes them feel valued and encourages them to continue and extend their skills. Children's creative skills are increasing as they move on to free painting and drawing with pencils and crayons. This also gives them ample opportunities to develop their early writing skills. Children relish having songs personalised. For example 'wheels

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

on the bus', word wheels exchanged to individual child's name. They are constantly challenged as the childminder uses children's prompts to increase their vocabulary. For example as they point to pictures of 'scallops' on the plastic mat the childminder talks about other animals in the sea.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are cared for by a childminder who seeks information from parents about their children's routine. She incorporates these into her day, thus enabling children to feel secure. Children learn about their community as they visit the local shops, schools and park. They learn about the wider world through organised creative activities around festivals such as Diwali. All children have equal access to all resources and both boys and girls play happily with the train set. Children play well alongside each other sharing paints and crayons. Sharing and turn taking is promoted through calm explanations given by the childminder. This encourages their understanding of negotiating and working together. Children benefit from a good working relationship the childminder has developed with parents. Parents are kept fully informed of their child's day through verbal feedback, and in-depth

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Helping children make a positive contribution

documentation ensures that they are familiar with the childminder's policies and procedures.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a childminder with knowledge and understanding of child development. The childminder is keen to update her skills and attends various courses relevant to childcare. She ensures that all adults over the age of 16 are vetted, thus protecting children from harm. The areas used by children are well organised to encourage children to make choices and explore safely. Therefore, children's learning is constantly challenged due to the childminders ability to provide appropriate support for their care, learning and play. Her in-depth documentation

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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 promotes children's safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. The provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to complete a first course, ensure parents sign all records of accidents and maintain a written record of medications administered. Children's health needs are better monitored as the childminder has completed her training in first aid and a record of medications administered is logged. A record of accidents is kept and parents signature is generally obtained.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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): • ensure that all accidents recorded are signed by parents.

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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

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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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