Dr Challoner's High School

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 110495 Inspection date 25/03/2009 Inspector Melissa Cox

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Type of setting Childminder 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 report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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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. 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 three sons in their home in Speen, which is a residential area in the north west of Newbury. Childminding takes place downstairs and the children have use of a secure enclosed back garden. They live within walking distance of all amenities. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. Currently there are eight children on roll, four of whom are in the early years age group. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of the West Berkshire Network. The family keep some tropical fish in a tank in the kitchen.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. Children are very secure in their surroundings and thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder. They benefit enormously from the loving relationships that the childminder has developed with them. Children's learning is extended exceptionally well by the childminder, who skilfully and effortlessly provides challenges that build on the children's existing interests and abilities. The childminder has an excellent awareness and understanding of the needs of each child in her care, thus ensuring that she is fully able to meet the unique needs of each child exceptionally well. Well thought out policies and procedures are effectively implemented and the ongoing training ensures the provision continues to develop and improve for the benefit of the children. Partnerships with parents, local schools and groups are excellent.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 the use of a free flow system to the outdoor environment to further support children's learning

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provision

The childminder is enthusiastic and maintains a very professional approach to her business. She aspires to maintain high quality provision and the ongoing training she attends ensures that outcomes for children are effectively promoted. The childminder has a very good range of written policies in place and shares these effectively with parents. Parents are provided with excellent quality information about the childminder, the service that she provides and the progress of the children in her care. The childminder makes detailed observations about what the children can do and she shares this information with parents and other childcare professionals to ensure children make the best progress they can. The childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 completes robust risk assessments within the home and outdoor environment to ensure children are free from harm. The required documentation is in place and

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provision

stored securely to maintain confidentiality. The childminder has a very clear understanding of the child protection procedures and knows how to implement them to safeguard the children in her care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and how children learn; consequently she is able to skilfully and effortlessly extend children's learning. For example, by building on what she already knows about the children's likes, the childminder provides activities such as trains and tracks, small world people, colouring and sticker books along with the extensive range of activities the children access on their trips to the community. The children become completely immersed in their play as they use their imagination to dress up as kings and queens. They delight in showing off their colouring creations and concentrate well, finding the appropriate stickers to put on the pictures. All the while the childminder interacts with the children, helping them when needed and extending their learning by using effective questioning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder develops very good, loving relationships with the children, which ensures that children are confident in her care. She is fully aware that children learn at different stages and that some have very short attention spans, therefore she continually changes the activities to keep them stimulated. Children visit places of interest to extend their knowledge of the wider world. They enjoy spending time at the local drop in groups and school, where they are developing their social skills. Children's large muscle control is developing as they play on the ride on toys in the garden and when bending and stretching to music indoors. The childminder organises her environment extremely well to ensure children experience a balance of adult-led and child-led activities. For example, children freely choose activities from low level storage but also engage with adult-led activities, such as cooking and arts and crafts. Children access an excellent range of activities throughout

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

their time with the childminder. The learning environment is well presented to ensure that children are able to make choices from the wide range of resources available to them, whilst having suitable space to play freely. For example, the children developed an activity on paper aeroplanes into a whole group game making an airport in the lounge, turning the event into a fun time for all. The children's behaviour is exemplary as they play together, chatting to each other about whose turn it is next or selecting and sharing the equipment as they play a game of hairdressers.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Observations of children's progress are recorded within their individual learning and development files and provide a clear and thorough record of children's progress. Photographic images are used well, along with written observations and the information gained from parents about their own child's starting points and capabilities. Development records clearly highlight the next steps in children's development, and the information is used exceptionally well to support and extend children's learning further. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children's health and well-being are promoted extremely well by the childminder who implements effective and robust procedures at all times. Children learn how to stay safe as the childminder talks to them about road safety issues and uses effective strategies such as the 'stop and go game' to ensure children are kept

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

safe. Evacuations have been practised with the children to ensure they know how to exit the property in an emergency and there is a good evaluation to ensure children's safety further. Children gain excellent personal hygiene skills, learning to wash their hands before and after eating, and to use their hands to cover their mouths when coughing. Well managed systems are in place to ensure that all snacks and meals meet the individual dietary requirements of all children and are implemented very well to ensure that all children are included. 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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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 1 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Detail of the complaint/s

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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