Light Years 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 149906 Inspection date 09/12/2008 Inspector Jane Nelson

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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 registered in 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged 15 and 11 years in a house in Whitton, Middlesex. The living room, kitchen and conservatory on the ground floor, and a bedroom and toilet facilities on the first floor of the home, are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play, although this is not currently being used by minded children. Regular trips are also made to local parks. There is level access to the premises and the home is within walking distance of local schools and shops.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years of age, who may all be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for three children, aged four, six and seven years, who all attend on a part time basis. No children were present at the time of the inspection.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes children to and from local schools and attends local childminding and toddler groups with younger children. The family have a pet hamster.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The home environment is welcoming and well organised with most safety precautions in place. The childminder demonstrates through discussion how children's indivudal needs are identified and taken into account in daily activities, ensuring all children are included. Most of the necessary written documentation and records are in place and maintained, with the exception of children's developmental records and the required record of risk assessments. Information is shared verbally with parents and other settings, such as schools, attended by children. The childminder recognises where improvements can be made and demonstrates a commitment to implementing these.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure fire blanket is fitted according to manufacturer's instructions  develop understanding and use of planning and assessement to support all children in reaching their full potentional and identifing their next steps  develop the use of self-evaluation to identify areas for improvement and how these will be addressed  develop the use of written policies in order to further improve methods of sharing information with parents

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  maintain a record of the risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation). 31/12/2008

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provision

The childminder demonstrates, through discussion, how she uses space in the home, and plans activities and outings according to children's developmental stage and interest. For example, taking daily outings, walks and visits to parks, local childminder drop-ins and parent groups with young children, and providing different levels of toys, such as, puzzles and books for different age children. Systems are in place to formalise planning and record children's development, however these are not yet fully developed.

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provision

Space in the home is well organised to meet children's needs, and the childminder provides a good range of play equipment that is suitable for the age children she cares for. Most of the required records are maintained, and adequately organised, with the exception of the record of risk assessments being in place and maintained.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates some capacity to improve, through addressing the actions and issues discussed during her last inspection. For example, she has updated her first aid qualification and attended a briefing session relating to the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She recognises where improvements can be made, however, self-evaluation is not used effectively to identify areas for future improvement and how these will be addressed.

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provision

The childminder states she has good relationships with parents, with most information being shared verbally. However, limited information, such as, policies and procedures is provided in writing, which restricts information for parents and the childminder to refer to when queries arise. The childminder demonstrates, through discussion, an understanding of child protection issues, and the action to take if concerns arise.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates through the range of toys and play materials and the experiences she provides for children outside the home, how she supports children's individual needs and interests, and encourages their development in all areas. For example, she refers to cooking activities she does with the children and how visits to local playgroups and a baby gym encourage children's physical and social development. Although systems are in place to record children's development these are not yet in use and it is not possible to see how they are used to monitor and encourage children's development. The childminder plans daily outings, such as, walks and visits to parks, where children have opportunities for fresh air and exercise, which encourage their good health and physical This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 development. The childminder states she provides healthy snacks, such as, fresh

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

fruit for children, as required, and ensures they have regular drinks, promoting their understanding of healthy eating.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides some opportunities for children to learn about diversity and the wider world, through discussion, visits to resources in the local community and access to some play materials that reflect diversity.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Furniture, toys and equipment are safe and in good condition enabling children to play, eat and rest safely. Toys and equipment are set out on shelving units, some of which, are at children's level, enabling them to help themselves and make choices about what they play with. The childminder states that children's safety in the home is protected through daily visual checks, and ensuring safety precautions, such as, child proof locks are in place, although the required record of risk assessments is not maintained. The childminder states that she has practised the evacuation plan with children, helping their understanding of how to leave the premises safely in an emergency. She states that children's awareness of their own safety is encouraged through discussion about road safety. Fire precautions, such as, smoke alarms are in place and maintained, however, the fire blanket is not fitted according to manufacturers instructions, which delays accessibility, in the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

event of a fire. 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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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