Childminder in Kent

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 6 October 2016 14 July 2014

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Outcomes for children Requires improvement

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This provision is inadequate

 The childminder has not kept her safeguarding knowledge up to date; she has not attended training and lacks knowledge of some safeguarding issues.  Childminding assistants are not familiar with safeguarding procedures; consequently they do not know the action to take if they have concern about a child or an adult.  Risk assessments do not adequately protect children from potential hazards. The childminder does not fully consider the risks posed by the trampoline, the outdoor area and the arrangements for her dogs when children are on the premises. As a result, she fails to ensure the safety of children in her care.  A lack of self-evaluation means that the childminder does not identify and address weaknesses in the quality of her provision. She has failed to identify breaches in the requirements of the early years foundation stage which compromise children’s safety.  The childminder demonstrates a lack of knowledge of the requirements and

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This provision is inadequate

consequently she has failed to notify Ofsted of a significant event.  Some children have limited opportunities to develop their independence, for example during mealtimes.

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It has the following strengths

 Positive relationships are established with parents and other childcare providers. This helps to provide consistency in the assessment of children's progress and achievements.  Children settle well and enjoy close relationships with the childminder and her assistants, who know them well. They plan a suitable range of activities and experiences to meet their needs.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

The provision is inadequate and Ofsted intends to take enforcement action

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

We will issue a Welfare Requirements Notice requiring the provider to:

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Due Date

 improve your knowledge and understanding of safeguarding to ensure that you have a secure and up to date knowledge of safeguarding issues in order that signs and symptoms of all possible abuse can be recognised at the earliest opportunity and responded to in a timely way 17/10/2016

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Due Date

 train all assistants to understand the safeguarding procedures in the setting and ensure they know how to recognise and respond to safeguarding concerns 17/10/2016

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Due Date

 ensure the trampoline is fit for purpose and suitable for use in line with the manufacturer’s guidelines 17/10/2016

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Due Date

 take all reasonable steps to ensure that children are not exposed to risks, and demonstrate how you are minimising potential risks, with particular regard to the outdoor area and arrangements for the dogs during childminding hours 17/10/2016

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Due Date

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage the provider must:

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Due Date

 use self-evaluation more effectively in order to identify weaknesses in practice and professional development and identify the actions needed for improvement 28/10/2016

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Due Date

 improve the opportunities for older children to develop their independence, particularly at mealtimes, in readiness for starting school. 28/10/2016

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching and the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector sought and took account of the views of parents.  The inspector spoke to the childminder, her assistants and the children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector discussed the childminders risk assessments and the arrangements for keeping children safe.  The inspector sampled relevant documents, such as children's records, accident and incident records, and policies and procedures.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

Safeguarding is not effective. The childminder does not keep her safeguarding knowledge up to date. Little training has been attended since the last inspection, with the exception of first aid training. The employed assistants have not been supplied with information about the safeguarding policy and procedures for the setting. As a result, they do not know the action to take in the event of a safeguarding concern. The processes for self- evaluation are poor. As a consequence, the childminder fails to identify key weaknesses in her setting, which means that the overall quality of the service she provides has deteriorated. Furthermore, she has not recognised potential risks to the safety of children in her care. The childminder provide parents with daily feedback about the care and activities provided. Parents welcome the support they receive and comment how well the childminder works with the other settings children attend to achieve consistency.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

The childminder and assistants generally provide a suitable learning environment. Children enjoy playing in a dedicated playroom, which the childminder organises well. She labels toys and equipment and stores them at a low level to encourage the children to make choices. The childminder and the assistants know the children well and they use observations effectively to help identify the next steps for children in their learning. They plan activities based on this and children’s interests. They interact positively with the children and promote their language skills well; for example, they ask children to describe their artwork, which helps to generate good discussions. Opportunities are missed for children to learn about and practise good hygiene routines. For example, the childminder serves children’s food and wipes their hands and face when they are finished, which they could do for themselves.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

Children’s well-being is not fully assured because the childminder does not prioritise children's safety adequately. She fails to risk assess appropriately or take steps to minimise hazards. For example, the trampoline in the garden is damaged and poses a potential risk. Despite this, children to continue to play on it. Furthermore, the childminder has not followed the manufacturer’s safety guidance for its use. There are three dogs on the premises. Although they are housed behind a gated area, on occasion they manage to get past this and go into the play areas and garden where children are playing. Children behave well; they have good friendships with one another. Mealtimes are a social occasion, where the older children talk about their day at school.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Children make steady progress and they show interest in the activities available. Older children enter the childminding setting confidently after school and settle quickly. They show consideration for the younger children when they play together. Younger children are learning some skills to develop their independence, for example they self-select resources to enhance their play. However, older children are not given enough opportunities to develop their independence in readiness for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY468149 Local authority Kent Inspection number 1048438 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 8

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 14 July 2014

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2013. She lives with her family in Maidstone, Kent. The whole of the ground floor of the house is available for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The family has two dogs and two cats. The childminder works with two assistants. One of her assistants also brings their dog with them to the setting. The childminder receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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Telephone number

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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Telephone number

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Telephone number

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Telephone number

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Telephone number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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