Childminder in Bedford

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 22 May 2018 24 June 2013

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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 Good 2

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Inadequate 4

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This provision is inadequate

 Children's safety is seriously compromised. The childminder does not keep an accurate daily record of their attendance. Furthermore, she does not ensure that children are effectively supervised at all times.  Children's daily safety is further threatened. Assessments of risks are not sufficiently robust. The action taken is not always effective to protect children from risk of harm.  The childminder does not consistently offer children opportunities that help them to develop their skills in making marks and writing.

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It has the following strengths

 Children have good relationships with the childminder and her assistant. They participate in a variety of interesting activities that challenge them, helping to promote their good progress. This is further supported as the childminder aids parents in understanding and extending their children's development.  The childminder monitors children's progress well and quickly addresses any weaker areas. She now offers children additional opportunities that support them in learning to share their views and the resources, and to listen and take turns in discussions.  The childminder completes training and puts her new knowledge into practice. For example, she now makes greater use of her assessments of children to understand their developmental needs and plan specific activities to meet these.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

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Due Date

 ensure that there is an accurate daily record of the children being cared for on the premises and their hours of attendance 01/06/2018

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Due Date

 ensure that risk assessments identify all aspects of the environment used by children, including access to the shed containing harmful chemicals and gardening equipment; access to loose wires on the external wall; and access to the kitchen drain and to the metal fire pit; and take appropriate action to make sure risks are minimised or removed 08/06/2018

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Due Date

 make sure that staffing arrangements meet the needs of all children, ensuring their safety and that children are always within sight or hearing. 01/06/2018

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Due Date

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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Due Date

 extend the opportunities that support children in making marks and writing.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector talked with children, the childminder and her assistant at appropriate times throughout the inspection. She reviewed an activity with the childminder.  The inspector looked at evidence of the suitability of household members and the assistant. She discussed the childminder's self-evaluation information and viewed a range of other documentation, including the safeguarding procedures.  The inspector viewed written feedback from parents and took account of their views.  We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about this provider.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

Arrangements for safeguarding are not effective. The childminder does not assess all risks and take appropriate action to protect children. On the day of the inspection, children were able to access dangerous items and substances in the garden, such as gardening chemicals and tools. Although the childminder evaluates some of her work and offers her assistant supervision, she fails to make effective staffing arrangements. This means that children are sometimes unsupervised for short lengths of time. Additionally, the childminder does not keep an accurate record of children's attendance, compromising their safety in an emergency situation. The childminder has a clear understanding of child protection. She completes training and makes sure that her assistant understands how to report concerns about children's welfare. The childminder maintains correct ratios and ensures that her assistant is suitable to work with children. She further promotes this area

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

of children's welfare as she notifies Ofsted of significant events and ensures that she and her assistant maintain their first-aid qualifications and follow clear first-aid procedures. She works well with other childcarers so that children's care is consistent.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder plans well and offers children many exciting play opportunities. For example, they enjoy visiting a country park where they hunt for bugs and use the bird hides to spot wildlife. They then extend their knowledge and creative skills when they return home and draw what they have seen and use books to research the different birds and insects. Children participate in activities that support them in understanding their community and learning to appreciate differences. For example, they visit local places of worship and discuss the different beliefs. The childminder supports children in building on their enjoyment of books and reading. They enjoy regular visits to the library to choose new books and participate in reading challenges. The childminder makes good use of resources as one of the ways in which she engages children. For example, they eagerly hold up wooden spoons with characters illustrated on them as they join in with songs.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

The weaknesses in leadership and management mean that children's safety is significantly compromised. Nevertheless, children settle well and show affection for the childminder and her assistant. The childminder works effectively with parents. She obtains clear initial information and continues to communicate well so that she has a good understanding of children's needs. The childminder supports children in learning to manage their behaviour. She offers them opportunities that aid their physical development. For example, they develop balance and coordination as they walk on fallen branches in the woods. They talk about exercise and why it is important to drink lots of water, aiding them in understanding healthy practices. The childminder and her assistant praise children, helping to build their confidence in preparation for school.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are making good progress and developing the essential skills that aid their learning and prepare them for school. They learn to organise their play, work together and share their ideas. For example, children organise a role-play shop, collecting the resources and competently explaining the different roles they will play.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY406530 Local authority Bedford Borough Inspection number 1136068 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 10 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 20

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 24 June 2013

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2010 and lives in Kempston. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She works with an assistant and also offers occasional overnight and weekend care. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, 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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