Cottesbrooke Infant and Nursery School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 140706 Inspection date 24 January 2006 Inspector Jane Plested

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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 satisfactory. 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 registered in 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged 9 and 6 years. Their house is in a residential road, close to the centre of Wendover, in Buckinghamshire. It is in walking distance of local shops, pre-school and schools. Childminding takes place in all areas of the ground floor with bathroom facilities upstairs. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for 5 children under 8 years. There are currently four children who attend the setting.

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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 family have three guinea pigs and a rabbit.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a variety of activities and routines to support their good physical health. They have regular access to the garden where they can develop balls skills and ride on wheeled toys. Children have several walks to and from nursery or school each day, keeping them fit and providing plenty of fresh air. Children’s dietary health benefits from the childminder’s clear understanding of healthy eating. As a result, she provides a well-balanced home cooked main meal for children daily. Their dietary requirements are the subject of continuous discussion so that individual requirements are met. Snacks offer good nutritional benefit to children; they select foods, such as bread sticks or fruit. The childminder has a no sweets policy. Consequently, children are developing good eating habits. Children can access drinks freely. Therefore, ensuring children do not become thirsty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a generally safe and well-maintained environment. Poisons are out of reach and the premises are secure. The childminder supervises children well. Consequently, she knows where they are and what they are doing. However, the childminder does not recognise all potential hazards. For example, there are trailing flexes to a fish tank in kitchen, these pose a hazard to children. Children are aware of clear routines for going out and walking beside the road. Children understand these very well, therefore they wait at the gates when leaving the house and know to stay on footpath as they walk to pre-school. Therefore, children are safe as they follow the childminder’s road safety rules. Children can easily access the toys and play materials, which are at low-level so they can help themselves. Therefore, children can select from toys, such as dolls, toy

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

animals and creative resources. Consequently, children remain occupied. Children benefit from the childminder's generally secure understanding of child protection procedures and responsibilities. This knowledge helps ensure the safety and welfare of all children in her care. However, she has not taken time to explain her role to parents and as a result they may not be aware of her role in the protection of children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children are confident. They eagerly enter the childminder’s home and are familiar with the arrival routine. For example, children happily take off their shoes and coats and place them to the side. They know where to access toys and achieve this independently. Demonstrating children are relaxed and secure within this environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They speak confidently to the adults they meet, talking freely about their activities. Older children take part in imaginative games and conversations with the childminder during role-play activities. For example, they take on the role of a doctor, during which the childminder talks about feeling ill and having a high temperature. She names the equipment they use, and different parts of the body. These activities contribute effectively to developing children’s imaginations and vocabularies.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Babies have a good relationship with the childminder. She speaks to them softly and with warmth. The childminder holds babies during their milk feeds. Consequently, they receive tenderness and settle quickly. Children develop strong relationships with the childminder’s own family. The younger ones enjoy having books read to them by her son. As a result, children feel valued and part of the family. Children take part in a varied range of indoor activities, such as cooking, colouring and construction. Alternatively, they take part in activities in the garden with balls and wheeled toys. Outside the home children visit the local market and other minders to socialise. This helps children to develop social skills and keeps them busy.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from the childminder’s awareness of them as an individual. She has a satisfactory understanding of how to support children with special needs. As a result, children feel valued and receive appropriate care. Children are becoming increasingly independent in their play and personal care. They are able to develop relationships and have a good rapport with the childminder and other people they meet. This contributes to feelings of confidence. Children behave very well during the inspection. They respond promptly to the childminder’s requests to get ready to go out or to wash their hands. She reinforces this good behaviour by praising older children for putting on their own coats and shoes. This positive support contributes to building children’s self-esteem. Children benefit as the childminder develops an effective partnership with parents. She takes time to find out about children before they commence with her. Thereafter,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

the childminder discusses their needs daily with parents. References from recent past parents in her portfolio include comments about her being ‘trustworthy and caring’ and say she ‘provides a stimulating environment for children’. As a result, children are settled and secure and the adults in their lives are communicating frequently to promote their development and all aspects of their care.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder provides an environment that is generally safe, with some toys set out to be accessible for children. She rotates these with other toys stored upstairs to provide variety for children. They can easily move around the house and do this with confidence. Children have sufficient adult support, which contributes to their sense of belonging. As an experienced child carer, she is able to provide a suitable and varied range of activities to keep children occupied. All records on children and parental agreements are said to be in place to support children’s care. However, the childminder cannot find her accident and medication record. Consequently, information regarding children’s care is unavailable for inspection. The detail within the record of attendance is poor, and it has not been completed for today's arrivals. Therefore, the times of arrival and departure are

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Organisation

estimates and not accurate. The complaints procedures are not up-to-date and therefore do not fully comply with the changes set out in the Addendum to the National Standards. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children. She also agreed to make sure that potential hazards in the garden are inaccessible to the children. The childminder now holds a current first aid certificate so that she is confident to manage minor injuries to children. The hazards in the garden have now been removed. As a result, this area is safe for children to use.

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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 satisfactory. 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

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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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 trailing flexes do not pose a hazard to children • replace the lost accident record and ensure the record of attendance is completed promptly with the required detail and update the complaints procedures • explain to parents the childminder's role in the protection of children.

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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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