Cottesbrooke Infant and Nursery 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 140706 Inspection date 10/03/2009 Inspector Sonjia Nicholson

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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 has been registered since 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged 12 and nine years in a house on a residential estate in Wendover town centre. It is within walking distance of schools, pre-school and shops. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding with bathroom facilities situated on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have two guinea pigs. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of six children under eight years and has an extra condition which allows her to care for four children in the early years age range. There are currently three children on roll in the early years age range.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the provision is good. The childminder offers a very flexible service for parents which means they are able to meet their work commitments knowing their child feels welcome and included within a safe, stimulating environment. The childminder demonstrates an ability to make improvements and has met the recommendations from her last inspection, for example, the fish tank has been moved so children are no longer at risk from the trailing cable.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 provide a comfortable place equipped with suitable furniture for children to sleep safely without disturbance  use the observations and assessments of each child's achievements to help plan their next steps in learning  develop children's understanding of diversity and differences through a range of planned activities and experiences.

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provision

The childminder creates a safe environment for children. She has completed a risk assessment which identifies most hazards and undertakes a further check each morning before children arrive, for example, putting away toys used by her own children which are not suitable for younger children. The childminder has also developed risk assessments for outings to the park, shops and when out walking; this has increased her awareness of potential hazards. Younger children are safely strapped into a buggy or wear reins to keep them safe and all children wear a fluorescent tabard so they are easily identified. Children learn about road safety as they cross roads, use the pedestrian crossing and talk about dangers. Within the home, children take part in regular evacuation drills so they know how to leave This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 quickly and safely; the childminder records the details for future reference. The

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provision

childminder has a good awareness of the possible signs of abuse and is familiar with the procedure to follow if she has concerns. She is due to update her safeguarding training through a distance learning course in the near future. Parents now have access to the Local Safeguarding Children Boards document and through discussions with the childminder have a better understanding of her role and responsibility to protect children.

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provision

The childminder is keen to make improvements to her service and has devised a questionnaire for parents which have been completed positively, however, the questions posed require a 'yes' or 'no' answer with little opportunity for further comments. The childminder has completed a self-evaluation form where she has highlighted her priorities for future improvements, for example, 'to give encouragement and support to each individual child and help them learn and develop skill for the future in a fun and enjoyable way'. However, there is little detail of how this will be achieved. The childminder works well with parents. She provides a range of written information for them including policies and procedures as well as an informative monthly newsletter to keep them up to date with important dates and reminders, such as remembering to bring a coat for their child. Communication is effective and ensures children receive appropriate care, for

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provision

example, when parents drop off, the childminder asks if the child is well and what has been happening since she last saw him/her so she can adapt her plans or routine accordingly. Younger children in the childminder's care have a daily diary which she completes with details of the care provided, such as sleep times and food intake.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy healthy snacks provided by the childminder, for example, mid- morning they have apple and grapes with a drink of water at the child sized table in the kitchen and children arriving home from school like toast. The childminder prefers children to bring a packed lunch which she stores in the fridge to prevent food spoiling. Parents are encouraged to send healthy options with no sweets, crisps or chocolate allowed; the majority of children eat a balanced lunch, such as a sandwich, yoghurt and raisins. The childminder follows some good hygiene practices, for example, she washes her hands before preparing fruit at snacktime and ensures her fridge temperature remains constant. She is due to complete a Basic Food Hygiene course to add to her knowledge. Procedures for the administration and storage of medication are in place along with the necessary parental consents. Children's minor injuries are dealt with by the childminder who

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

has completed a first aid course and maintains a fully stocked first aid box. Children are beginning to develop good hygiene habits, for example, the childminder helps even the youngest child wash their hands at the kitchen sink after feeding the guinea pigs. Older children use the bathroom upstairs where the childminder provides individual clean towels each day and a sign helps to remind them to wash their hands. Facilities for children to have a daytime nap do not allow them to sleep comfortably or safely without disturbance; this impacts on their physical and emotional development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The learning environment for children is good. They make choices about what they want to do from the selection of toys available. For example, a child spends lots of time exploring the play figures, animals and playhouses on the carpet and another

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

expresses an interest in making a Mother's Day card so the childminder provides paper, glitter and glue. Children play with some toys and resources that reflect diversity, such as a talking globe, dolls and play figures with differing skin tones and they recently celebrated Chinese New Year. However, the childminder does not consistently include festivals and world events into her planning which means children do not gain a full awareness of the wider world and the differences within it. Children have daily opportunities to play outside in the garden on ride-on toys and with footballs and other small equipment to develop their gross motor skills. They gain further exercise in the fresh air as they walk to and from school or pre- school several times each day; this helps develop stamina and encourage an understanding of healthy lifestyles. Many activities help children develop their fine motor skills, for example, they manipulate the playdough by rolling, squashing and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

squeezing it with their hands, use a toy hammer to hit bricks in the building set and use crayons and pencils to make marks. Children appear happy and settled; they are familiar with the daily routine and consequently behave well, for example, a child tidies away the crayons after colouring and also takes a drinks beaker and places it on the work surface when finished. The childminder actively promotes good manners and as a result children are polite and well mannered saying 'please' and 'thank you' appropriately. Children's social skills are further developed as they attend a weekly toddler group where they play with other children and mix with other adults.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder knows the children in her care well through regular observations, for example, a child has an interest in building sites and vehicles. She extends this interest by recreating a real life observation of a digger seen on the way to school by using small world apparatus, a toy digger and playdough. They also enjoy looking at a book about vehicles; the childminder asks relevant questions, such as 'What is that man wearing?' to extend language skills. The range of planned activities ensures children cover all areas of learning, for example, they learn to think critically and solve problems as they complete jigsaw puzzles, sequence a set a photographs and build a tower of bricks. They develop their knowledge and understanding of the world as they observe daffodils growing as they walk to and from school. The childminder has developed a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements and produces some worthwhile observations

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

of what children can do, however, she has yet to use this information effectively to plan activities for individual children. She has created exciting and interesting Learning Journeys for each child containing photographs, observations and examples of their work, which she shares with parents. The childminder has begun to make good links with the local pre-school and other childminders. 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? 3 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? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 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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