Sproates, Simone

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 24 January 2018 9 May 2017

p.1

This inspection: Inadequate 4

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Inadequate 4

p.1

This inspection: Inadequate 4

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Inadequate 4

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Inadequate 4

p.1

This provision is inadequate

 Leadership and management are weak. The childminder has failed to identify weaknesses in her practice that have led to significant breaches of requirements, placing children at direct risk.  The childminder does not assess risks to children adequately or take appropriate steps to manage these. Her premises are not secure at all times and she does not protect children, including those sleeping unsupervised, from unvetted adults working in her home.  The childminder has failed to notify Ofsted that she and her co-childminder are using a new assistant, to enable the necessary suitability checks to be made.  The childminder does not meet adult-to-child ratios at all times to meet the individual needs of children effectively and to ensure she keeps them safe.

p.1

It has the following strengths

 The childminder accurately assesses children's development and takes account of their learning needs and interests to plan activities, which help them to make good progress.  The childminder works in effective partnership with other settings and parents to ensure there is a joined-up approach to meeting children's individual learning needs.  Children enjoy using the well-equipped playroom where they can make independent choices about their play.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

The provision is inadequate and Ofsted intends to take enforcement action

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

p.2

Due Date

 ensure that any risks to children are assessed accurately and that appropriate steps are taken to reduce these 20/02/2018

p.2

Due Date

 ensure that all children, including those sleeping unsupervised, are protected from unvetted adults 20/02/2018

p.2

Due Date

 ensure that Ofsted is provided with the required information to enable them to complete suitability checks on all persons working with children on your premises 20/02/2018

p.2

Due Date

 ensure that adult-to-child ratios are met at all times to meet the needs of all children and keep them safe. 20/02/2018

p.2

Inspection activities

 This inspection was carried out following the risk assessment process.  The inspector took account of completed questionnaires from parents.  The inspector observed the quality of the childminder's teaching. She carried out a joint evaluation of children's learning with the childminder.  The inspector had discussions with the childminder and talked with the children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector sampled paperwork, including policies and procedures, observations, assessments and planning, and children's records.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

Safeguarding is not effective. The childminder has failed to assess the risk of unvetted workmen having free access to all areas of the house. At the inspection, she put a young child down to sleep unsupervised in an upstairs room, which was accessible to the workmen. This placed the child at significant risk. The workmen left the front door open for most of the inspection and a second internal door was also left open at times. When the childminder left the playroom door open, a baby crawled out into the hall when both doors were wide open. This placed the baby at direct risk. The childminder has recently started working with a co-childminder. Together, they have taken on an assistant to help them supervise older children after school. However, they have failed to inform Ofsted of this arrangement to enable suitability checks to be made. The childminder states that she has seen an existing Disclosure and Barring Service check for the assistant who works at

p.3

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

the local school, but she has no evidence of this. The childminder states that the assistant does not have unsupervised access to children, which reduces the possible impact on their safety. The childminder has a secure understanding of the possible indicators that a child may be at risk of harm by others and what to do if she has concerns. The large garden is fully fenced and secure to ensure children can play safely outside. The childminder and her co-minder have suitable systems to supervise children arriving and departing to ensure they are not at risk from the main road. They also ensure that there are enough adults to supervise older children walking back from school. There is sufficient space for the number of children cared for at any one time. The childminder regularly evaluates her practice, discussing areas for development with her co-minder and seeking feedback from parents and children. She is eager to develop the provision for outdoor play and attend more

p.3

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

training to extend her understanding of children's learning. However, she has failed to identify the breaches of requirement found at this inspection, or recognise the significant weaknesses in children's safety.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder knows children well. She makes regular assessments of their progress, noting 'wow' moments when they achieve something new and using this information to plan for the next steps in their learning. She also has a good understanding of each child's interests and uses this to engage them in activities. For example, she builds on a child's interest in music to encourage them to join in with a group activity and focus for a sustained period. The childminder extends children's learning during their chosen activities, asking them questions about numbers and colours, and encouraging them to solve problems. She talks about what they are doing and introduces new vocabulary, such as 'bagel'. She is quick to offer praise and encouragement, telling a child how much she likes the way they are thinking. The well-resourced playroom offers a stimulating environment, although there are few examples of the written word and numbers available

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

to further support children in recognising them.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

The weaknesses in safeguarding place children's well-being at significant risk. In addition, the childminder's failure to meet the adult-to-child ratios at all times means that she cannot fully meet children's individual needs and keep them safe. At the start of the inspection, she was caring for four children aged three years and under without any help, with workmen walking in and out of the house which was not secure. Generally, children are settled and happy in the care of the childminder and co-minder. They come to them for cuddles and the childminder is quickly able to soothe children that become distressed. She encourages children to behave well, emphasising the importance of sharing and being kind to one another. The childminder helps children learn about leading a healthy lifestyle. She discusses sensible eating and the importance of exercise with them. She maintains good hygiene, treating pets for fleas and ticks, and using wipes to clean children's hands

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

when workmen turn off the water temporarily.

p.4

Outcomes for children are good

Children of all ages and abilities make decisions about what to do enthusiastically and generally enjoy joining in with group activities. For example, they thoroughly enjoy playing instruments and choosing songs to sing. Younger children snuggle happily on the childminder's lap while they listen to a story and look at the accompanying pictures. Older children concentrate as they work out how to piece together the train track and then confidently count to 10 as they identify the number of carriages. Children are well prepared for school and the next stage of their learning.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY404715 Local authority Bath & NE Somerset Inspection number 1122126 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 12 Total number of places 18 Number of children on roll 12

p.5

Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2010. She lives in Radstock, near Bath, in North East Somerset. The childminder works with another childminder and an assistant. She offers funded sessions for children aged two, three and four years. The childminding service operates each weekday throughout the year, with the exception of Christmas and bank holidays. The childminder has a childcare qualification at level 3.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

Telephone number

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.6

Telephone number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

p.6

Telephone number

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

p.6