Dr Challoner's High School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 110495 Inspection date 21 February 2006 Inspector Sheila Collins

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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 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 was registered in 1998. The childminder lives with her husband and their three children aged 14, 11 and 8 years in Speen, which is a residential area in the north west of Newbury. 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 a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 5 children aged under 8-years, 2 of whom are at school. The childminder takes children to and collects from local schools and pre-schools. The childminder attends the local toddler 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 The childminder has tropical fish. The childminder is a member of the West Berkshire approved childminding network. With a colleague, she runs a drop-in for childminders and their minded children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children learn about personal hygiene through their daily routine and know the importance of good hygiene practices. They wash their hands after going to the toilet and before eating. The childminder has excellent hygiene practices herself and supports the children well, allowing children to go to the toilet unaccompanied and independently to wash their hands, when they are ready to do so. The children receive praise and encouragement consistently from the childminder, which bolsters their self-esteem. The childminder actively promotes the good health of the children and responds appropriately when they are ill. The children benefit from the childminder's knowledge of their individual health needs and all the relevant documentation is in place, to support the meeting of these needs. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and a comprehensive understanding of the way to prevent accidents, which

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Helping children to be healthy

contributes to keeping the children healthy. The children's health needs are known to the childminder and she has an effective support system in place in case of emergencies, which includes leaving the children with a familiar adult if necessary. The childminder consults with parents about their child's dietary requirements and preferences. Parents supply meals by choice, and the childminder ensures that the children are able to choose healthy options for snack. They are able to access drinks and the childminder ensures that they are offered drinks when they have been active. The children enjoy physical exercise and the childminder successfully plans their day to ensure that they have a wide range of excellent activities to help them develop physically.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The childminder gives high priority to ensuring that the children are safe both within and outside the home. She conducts regular risk assessments. She involves the children in safety procedures such as regular evacuation practises, which increase the children's awareness of safety issues. The childminder has equipment suitable for the age and stage of the children attending, which includes items such as a high chair and safety barriers. The childminder checks the equipment and toys frequently to ensure that they are safe for the children to use. The childminder has built up an extensive and comprehensive range of toys and

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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 equipment for the children to use, which covers all areas of their development. The children independently access toys and activities for themselves from the range put out daily and the childminder involves them in choosing alternatives from the store. The childminder promotes the children's welfare through a good working knowledge of child protection issues. She has a clear understanding of the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The children settle well at the childminder’s house. They are confident and make themselves at home. They have extremely good relationships with the childminder, who praises their efforts and achievements. They socialise with other children and the younger children benefit from regular attendance at local toddler groups. The children select what they would like to do from the good wide range of appropriate toys, which the childminder puts out to support their learning and development. They children involve the childminder in their play. She is supportive and suggests ways to extend their play to maintain their interest and stimulation. The children respond well to new experiences; for example, discussion about the hail. They enjoy exploring a wide range of activities with the childminder, which contributes to their all round development. They learn to count, to identify colours and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to appreciate books and stories. They use their imagination very well during role-play activities and have fun while developing their skills; for instance, in craft activities. The childminder has an extensive knowledge of child development and is using ‘Birth to three matters' to extend her practice with the under 3-year-olds. The childminder plans interesting activities, which she adapts very well to meet the children’s individual needs and interests. She knows the needs of each child in her care and is therefore able to offer excellent activities and resources, which will appeal to all the children. The childminder takes into account the children’s own routines when planning the day. The children benefit from the taking part in an excellent variety of activities through out the week for them, both within the home and outside.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has in-depth knowledge of the individual needs of each child through ongoing discussion with parents. She ensures that all children are included in the activities. The children use a wide range of excellent resources, which promote a positive view of different cultures and abilities. They enjoy activities, which increase their awareness of the diversity of the wider world; for example, celebrating the Chinese New Year. The children understand the rules and boundaries that are in place. They know the rules for acceptable behaviour and the childminder talks with them so that they are

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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 aware of why any unwanted behaviour is unacceptable. The childminder encourages good standards of behaviour, by the use of positive behaviour strategies, lots of praise, and plenty of encouragement, which builds the children's confidence and self-esteem. The children relate well to each other, are learning to share and take turns. The childminder has an excellent partnership with parents and works closely with them to ensure continuity of care for the children. They receive comprehensive information from the childminder about her service. She has daily discussions with parents to keep them informed about their children's progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder is meeting the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. The children benefit from the childminder's excellent organisation. The available space is well laid out and planned to give the children different areas for different activities; for example, role-play in the lounge and table top activities such as, puzzles in the dining room. The childminder is part of the local approved childminder network and has been minding for a number of years. She attends training courses and workshops to extend her skills. The children benefit from her knowledge and experience; for example, the music workshop, which she uses to add to their enjoyment of activities. The childminder has all the required documentation in place to make sure that she is able to meet the individual needs of the children in her care. In addition, she has comprehensive written policies in place, all of which are informative for parents and

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to remove any water that had collected in the garden equipment. The childminder is vigilant in checking the garden to ensure that any collected water is emptied so that it does not pose a risk to the children.

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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

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

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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