Impact Independent School

Inspection report for early years provision

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141560 Unique Reference Number 04 January 2008 Inspection date Dorcas Forgan Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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?

This childminder was registered in 1994. She lives with her husband and two children aged 17 and nine years in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children, she is currently minding one child aged two years on a full time basis and six children on a part time basis. The children's ages are two, four, five and seven years. The childminder collects children from local schools. She attends the local parent/toddler group. The family have one dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where standards of hygiene are extremely good. Children thrive because childminder has effective policies and practices in place to reduce the risk of infection such as a practical sickness policy. If children become ill and need to be at home with their parents the childminder, requests the parents collect their child. When children

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 have contagious diseases, the childminder includes all relevant parties in discussions to find out if they have any concerns with their children having contact. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and completes all the necessary documentation to record accidents and administering medication. Children are learning the importance of personal hygiene through good clear routines.

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Helping children to be healthy

The parent’s provide meals for their own children, which are stored in lunch boxes in the kitchen. This is so that the parents have control over what their child eats when out of the home. The childminder provides all snacks such as biscuits and fruit both fresh and dried, which are nutritional. Drinks are always readily available for the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have frequent opportunities to be in the fresh air. The childminder does not drive so they walk to all local activities such as the parent and toddler groups, the schools and the library. The childminder ensures that they go out of the home environment at least once a day. The children make full use of the garden when the weather is dry there is a good range of equipment for the children to develop their physical skills such as a climbing frame, bikes and balls. Some also enjoy taking part in gardening activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children remain safe because the childminder takes care to ensure all areas available to the children are well organised and hazards are minimised. The children feel at home, they are comfortable. They carry out all creative activities and eat meals in the kitchen at the tables. The childminder uses posters and displays of the children’s artwork to make the room extremely attractive to the children; it also boosts their self-esteem and pride. Children use the lounge to relax, read books, watch television and play with activities on the floor. Children move between the two rooms freely. If children need to sleep, they remain within close proximity to the childminder on the ground floor.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a wide range of suitable toys and resources, which are clean and safe. The childminder takes out a selection each day, children request additional equipment as they wish such as the dolls house that is stored in the garage. Children are learning to keep themselves safe and avoid accidental injury. They are able to explain why they should not run when inside and what they should do if the fire alarm is activated. The childminder tests the two smoke alarms on the ground floor monthly, but there is no smoke detector on the first floor. The children learn about walking safely when out of the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder understands her responsibility to the children to ensure they are protected from neglect and harm. The parents receive a copy of her written procedure explaining what she would do if she had concerns; so that they are well informed. The childminder is booked onto a course to update her knowledge.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their times with the childminder; they play happily and are very well settled. The children have formed close relationships with the childminder, members of the family and other children; they delight in each other’s company. The younger children benefit from being with the older children who help and encourage them, taking a pride in what they do. The childminder plans the day’s activities to suit the children who she will be caring for on the day;

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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 such as craft activities like making hedgehogs out of teasels. She knows that play dough is always popular with all of the children but includes more intricate tools for the older children to use. She encourages children to have pride in what they have achieved and assists this by taking photographs of items that they cannot take home such as a cream cake made out of play dough and a picture drawn on the wipe board. Children initiate role-play games like feeding and changing the baby doll, which helps them to act out activities that they may be trying to understand such as using the potty. The childminder interacts sensitively. The childminder helps children to make progress, she is aware of the areas in which they need support such as learning to recognise the numerals on the clock in preparation for learning to tell the time at

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

school. The younger children need a lot of conversation, singing and listening to stories to develop their talking and listening skills. The children are relaxed and have a great deal of fun.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very positive, nurturing environment where they are welcomed into the family. The childminder pays close attention to each child and respects their opinions, developing their self-esteem and confidence. Children are encouraged to respect and care for each other. Children’s individual needs are met very well such as the child who needs to play on his own for the first part of the day. After holidays, they receive reassurance so that they settle back in to the setting. Children socialise with other children and adults at other groups like the parent and toddler group and the library, story times. They are becoming very familiar with the local area as they walk to the schools and local centres and parks. The children have access to a wide variety of resources that represent diversity including an interesting range of books that they can look at as they wish. They regularly enjoy activities from other cultures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a clear understanding of how to care for children with special needs, although none currently attends.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s behaviour is extremely good; they are all learning to be polite and to have good manners, they consider each other. The older children understand very well the very few house rules and help the younger children to follow them. They are encouraged to work together such as when clearing up. The childminder uses positive strategies to promote good behaviour and is consistent in her guidance.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely with the parents. They discuss how the child has been and what they have achieved during the day. She asks parents for their opinions and respects their ideas. The childminder gives each parent a very comprehensive handbook with information about her service and her policies and procedures.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children’s welfare is paramount at all times. Their care is very well organised. The childminder arranges the daily routine so that all the children’s needs are met effectively. She uses the space in the home very well so that children can play rest and eat in comfort and safety. All of the necessary documentation is in place. The childminder attends additional training to up date her knowledge and her practices. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous Children Act inspection a recommendation was made that the childminder should ensure that she kept accurate records of the times children were in her care and have additional emergency contact numbers for them. The childminder has a very clear and effective procedure for recording the times that children are in her care. She has registration details for all children in her care which include additional emergency contacts details where possible. She has effective documentation systems.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints 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): • install a smoke detector on the first floor of the home.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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