Childminder EY348776

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 7 October 2016 9 June 2014

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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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 Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Inadequate 4

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This provision is inadequate

 The childminder demonstrates a poor capacity to improve. Safeguarding and welfare concerns raised at previous inspections have either not been addressed or are not maintained. The childminder has a weak knowledge and understanding of how to promote children's learning and development effectively, including children who speak English as an additional language.  The childminder is not alert to the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect that could indicate concerns about a child's welfare. Her safeguarding procedures do not reflect the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance or current legislation.  The childminder does not take sufficient action to minimise hazards in the home and garden. In addition, the childminder does not have an appropriate first-aid kit available.  Children's attendance records are not accurately maintained for all children and the childminder does not keep a written record of complaints.

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This provision is inadequate

 The childminder does not know how to plan challenging activities across the areas of learning to help children make good progress. Her assessments of children's progress do not inform accurate next steps in learning to extend and build on their interests and abilities.  The childminder does not work in partnership effectively with parents or other settings that children attend, in order to identify children's needs. She does not exchange information about children's achievements to support their learning consistently.

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It has the following strengths

 Children are chatty and happy while they play in the childminder's care. They explore the toy boxes together and are kind to each other.

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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

 take all reasonable steps to ensure that children are not exposed to risks and carry out robust and rigorous assessments to identify, minimise and remove hazards to children on the premises 31/10/2016

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Due Date

 gain an up-to-date knowledge and understanding of current safeguarding issues, in order to recognise and respond to signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and any indications of children being at risk of extreme views 31/10/2016

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Due Date

 develop an effective two-way exchange of information with parents and other settings children attend, in order to identify and address their individual needs and promote a consistent approach to their care, learning and development 31/10/2016

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Due Date

 ensure that there is a first-aid kit available at all times with appropriate contents for use with children 31/10/2016

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Due Date

 maintain a daily record of the children being cared for on the premises and their hours of attendance 31/10/2016

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Due Date

 keep a written record of any complaints and their outcome. 31/10/2016

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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

 gain a secure knowledge and understanding of the prime and specific areas of learning to promote children's learning and development 31/10/2016

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Due Date

 ensure that observation and assessments are used to identify children's level of achievement and to plan challenging next steps to support children's good progress in all areas of learning 31/10/2016

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Due Date

 gain knowledge of how to support children who speak English as an additional language, providing opportunities for them to use their home languages in their play and learning. 31/10/2016

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Inspection activities

 The inspector held discussions with the childminder regarding observations of children's play, learning and progress.  The inspector observed an adult-led activity, free play indoors and a mealtime.  The inspector checked evidence of the childminder's qualifications and training, and the suitability of all household members and assistants.  The inspector reviewed policies, procedures and documents available, including feedback from parents.  The inspector spoke with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective. The childminder has failed to identify, minimise or remove hazards to children, both indoors and outside. Cleaning chemicals and toiletries are stored within children's reach in the kitchen diner and the bathroom. Children are allowed to access a garden that has an open bin filled with stagnant water, discarded and rusty sharp tools and a leaking compost bin which shows signs of maggots. During a play activity seen at the inspection, the childminder inappropriately gave children an aerosol can of furniture polish to use as an additional rolling pin, without considering their safety. The childminder's knowledge and understanding of safeguarding are weak. She is not aware of current guidance or signs and symptoms that could indicate that children's welfare may be at risk. This includes not considering that comments and actions children make during their play may be possible

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

indicators. This hinders her ability to recognise and report such concerns to the relevant agencies. In addition, her policy and procedures are not in line with requirements. Key records are not maintained to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the setting, such as the record of children's attendance. The childminder is unclear about the requirement to keep a written record of complaints received and their outcome. Partnerships with parents are not always effective and the childminder does not seek enough information about children's needs, such as the home languages spoken by the family.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is inadequate

Although the childminder is qualified, she does not plan effectively across the areas of learning to help children make good progress. She does not work in partnership with other settings to support children's learning. The childminder does not know how to support children who speak English as an additional language to use and develop their home language in their play and learning. Although children are offered activities which do occupy them, the childminder is not always aware of the learning opportunities that arise from these to offer challenge and extension to children's learning. The childminder is unable to demonstrate how she has been responsible for children gaining some of the skills they display. Children engage in activities, such as using soft, coloured dough, helping them to develop their physical and creative skills. The childminder lets them choose which colours they would like and children roll the dough and press out the

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is inadequate

shapes. The childminder offers some conversation and makes animal sounds so that younger children can repeat the words and increase their vocabulary. Older children move on to cutting out circles and counting them as they line up the shapes into a path.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

Children's welfare and safety are significantly compromised as a result of the childminder's weak safeguarding practice and lack of awareness of how to minimise risks. Her inappropriate use of some hazardous items as resources for children does not help in teaching them about being aware of their own safety. The childminder's first-aid kit does not contain sufficient or appropriate contents for managing minor accidents or injuries. The few items present are out of date and, therefore, are no longer suitable for use. Despite these weaknesses, children are helped to develop their independence, for instance by going to the toilet by themselves. The childminder reminds children to wash their hands. Children listen to the childminder and respond when she reminds them of expected behaviours. The childminder ensures that children have healthy options for their fruit snacks, and drinks are offered. Children are taught about some festivals to support

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Outcomes for children are inadequate

Children are not making expected progress from their starting points. They are not adequately supported to develop the key skills required for their future learning or the move to school. The childminder is not confident about how to support this, however, children do gain independence and social skills. Activities offered lack challenge and children's learning is not extended appropriately. Children who speak English as an additional language are not supported in using their home languages during their play and learning as part of their language development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY348776 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1043967 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 2

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2007 and lives in Welwyn Garden City. She operates Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. The childminder cares for children who speak English as an additional language. The childminder provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

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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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