Light Years School

Inspection report for early years provision

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149906 Unique Reference Number 18 March 2008 Inspection date Deborah Jaqueline Newbury 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder registered in 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged 14 and 10 years in Whitton, Middlesex. The home is within walking distance of local schools and shops.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Minding mostly takes place on the ground floor of the property. Toilet facilities are provided upstairs and an upstairs bedroom is available for sleeping children when required. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play although this is not currently being used by minded children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years of age at any one time; she is currently minding four children, aged one, two, five and 10 years of age. Children attend mostly on a part-time basis, with days and times varying.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes children to and from local schools. Younger children regularly attend local childminding drop-in and toddler groups and visit the park.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. Children are at risk because the childminder does not have a valid first aid certificate and there is no evidence available to show when she last completed a first aid course. Consequently, the childminder does not have up-to-date knowledge of practice and may, therefore not take the most appropriate action should a child have an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a clean, comfortable and well-maintained home. The childminder implements suitable measures to promote hygiene and minimise cross infection. She does not care for children if they are unwell and encourages children to wash their hands at appropriate times. One child brings a towel from home although other children share a towel that the childminder provides; this is changed regularly. The childminder has a system in place to record details of any accidents involving children attending the setting and for any medication she administers.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children rest according to their individual needs. They either sleep on the sofa or in pushchairs if this is what their parents have requested. Alternative sleeping facilities are available in an upstairs bedroom. The childminder checks sleeping children to ensure their safety. Children spend time outside in the fresh air as the childminder takes them out every day and she generally walks to and from school to take and collect children. Visits to the park and outings to a play gym enable children to develop their physical skills as they explore the different apparatus available.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents generally supply all food for their children although the childminder is willing to cater herself if requested to do so. Any food supplied by parents is stored appropriately to minimise potential health risks. The childminder ensures she is aware of children's individual dietary requirements. Drinks are provided upon request.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children's welfare is not sufficiently safeguarded because the childminder lacks clear knowledge and understanding of issues relating to child protection. She is not secure in her understanding of possible signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect and is unaware of the procedure she should follow if she has any concerns. This places children at risk. Parents are not informed of her responsibility with regard to child protection and she does not keep a record of existing injuries.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are accommodated in a secure environment. The childminder takes appropriate steps to reduce most risks to children. For instance, all accessible electrical sockets are protected and she has taken the decision to stop using her back garden until this has been cleared of items stored there whilst an extension to the house was completed. However, current arrangements for the storage of cleaning products and knives in the kitchen are not sufficiently effective to fully ensure children's safety and the fire blanket has not been wall-mounted. Smoke alarms have been installed on both floors of the home and the childminder speaks to children about what they need to do if the smoke alarm goes off. Children learn how to keep themselves safe as the childminder uses situations that arise during the day. For instance, she intervenes to remind children of the need to sit properly on their chairs so they do not fall off; she talks to

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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 them about road safety and explains that they must not stand in front of swings when they are at the park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use a satisfactory range of good quality play materials that are developmentally appropriate. The childminder checks items regularly for safety and cleanliness.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children currently in the childminder's care attend for short periods of time only. The childminder plans their stay around their individual needs, such as meal and sleep times and any necessary school runs. Most mornings are spent at different childminder drop-in or toddler groups. These offer children the opportunity to explore the toys and activities on offer and to mix with other children and adults and thus, develop their social skills. Within the home, they have opportunities to play with the different toys available and take part in art and craft activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are settled and at ease with the childminder who is kind and caring towards them. They enjoy lots of cuddles and hugs and relationships are good. The childminder responds positively to children's interests and spends much of her time joining in with their play. For instance, children and the childminder paint together. The childminder asks questions about the different colours they are using and encourages them to tell her about their visits to the park and the different apparatus they go on. The childminder then draws these for children to paint. Children remain engrossed as they engage in imaginative play using small world toys. The childminder supports their play as she gets out different items in response to children's comments that the animals they are playing with need to have a bath and are then going on a picnic. Children who attend after school have the freedom to choose what they wish to do,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

whether playing with the different toys on offer or relaxing in front of the television after a busy day at school.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have access to a small selection of age appropriate play materials. These are sufficient for the number of children cared for at any one time and the short period of time they are present. Play materials are stored on a shelving unit in the main area of the home used for minding. Children independently help themselves to those items arranged on the lower shelves and the childminder gets down other things that they cannot reach, upon request.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. The childminder has inadequate awareness of how she is expected to deal with any written complaint made by a parent, where this relates to a National Standard and the timescale for dealing with any such episodes. She does not have access to the latest guidance issued by Ofsted in 2005. Consequently, she is unable to ensure parents are sufficiently well informed of the procedure they should follow if they have a complaint. Arrangements for informing parents of the way she organises her childminding service and how children spend their time are informal. Written parental consent for all aspects of children's care is not in place.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have the freedom to explore the play materials available provided these are appropriate for their ages and stage of development. However, these include few resources that reflect positive images and different aspects of diversity to help them learn about the wider world in which we live. The childminder talks to older children about thing they may be learning at school; for instance different religious celebrations.

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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 Children learn acceptable ways to behave with the support of the childminder. Their self-esteem is fostered through her use of praise and positive language.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The provision does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Organisation

Inadequate attention is given to maintaining required documentation. The childminder does not keep a daily attendance record of all minded children who are under eight years of age. This is a breach of regulation. For those children whose attendance is documented, insufficient information is recorded; the childminder sometimes only notes children's first names or else simply records an initial. Furthermore, the register does not reflect children's actual times of arrival and departure. Paperwork is not especially well organised and the childminder does not regularly review and update written agreements.

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Organisation

The childminder's lack of awareness of child protection issues and failure to ensure she has an up-to-date first aid qualification places children at risk and limits the effectiveness of the provision in respect of children's good health and safety. Her lack of knowledge of regulatory requirements impacts adversely on the overall organisation of the provision.

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Organisation

The childminder organises those areas of her home used for minding in a suitable way to enable children to move around freely and independently. This helps them gain confidence in their environment. They have room to sit and play in comfort.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the childminder's last inspection, one action was imposed and three recommendations were made. The childminder was required to complete an appropriate first aid course, obtain appropriate insurance cover and improve arrangements for sharing information with parents about the care of children who are ill and the procedure they should follow if they wish to make a complaint.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the time of inspection the childminder was unable to produce any evidence to show that she holds a valid first aid qualification or that a course was previously completed. The childminder talks to parents about her sick child policy at the start of a child's placement. She does not, however, inform them of the procedure they should follow if they have a complaint about her service.

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

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

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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions: • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children • develop awareness of the revisions to the National Standards (October 2005) in respect of complaints and ensure parents are sufficiently informed of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint • develop greater knowledge of child protection issues and the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) child protection procedures • ensure that all records relating to childminding activities are readily accessible and available for inspection at all times; in particular a daily record of all children's attendance with arrival and departure times. These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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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