Childminder in Worcestershire

Summary of outcome

Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills is leading Ofsted's work into how regulated early years and childcare providers in England have delivered child- centred practice and care, within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

p.1

Summary of outcome

All early years providers must meet the legal requirements in the 'Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage', which you can find at www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2. If we find that a provider is not meeting the requirements, we can take action to ensure they put matters right. On 2 July 2020 we completed an unnanounced regulatory visit. Following the visit we sent the provider a notice of action to improve (NTI) that asked the provider to;

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Summary of outcome

ensure there is a daily record of the names of the children being cared for on the premises, their hours of attendance and the names of each child's key person

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Summary of outcome

improve the cleanliness of the kitchen area to ensure food can be prepared in a hygienic way and make sure that food in refrigerators is stored in line with food hygiene requirements

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Summary of outcome

take necessary steps to promote the good health of children and prevent the spread of infection, with particular regard to hand washing procedures after children and staff have contact with the dog

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Summary of outcome

identify and minimise risks in the setting, particularly in the kitchen area, to ensure that all reasonable steps are always taken to keep children safe.

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Summary of outcome

We are satisfied with the action taken by the provider to meet the NTI.

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Summary of outcome

On 14 July 2020 we received concerns that this provider was not meeting some of the legal requirements in the 'Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage'. We conducted an unannounced visit on 17 July 2020. We have served a Welfare Requirements Notice. This is a legal notice that requires the provider to take the actions below within the timescales set out. The provider will be able to give parents further information about this. The provider is still registered with Ofsted. Actions needed by 3 August 2020

p.1

Summary of outcome

ensure that child protection policies are in line with Local Safeguarding Children Partnership (LSCP) procedures

p.2

Summary of outcome

improve yours, and that of your assistants', knowledge of relevant child protection procedures and the role of the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

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Summary of outcome

ensure all assistants know the action to take in the event of an allegation being made against an adult or child and ensure safe use and storage of personal mobile phones

p.2

Summary of outcome

improve knowledge of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and ensure that you and all assistants know how to respond in a timely way to any concerns about a child's welfare to keep them safe from harm

p.2

Summary of outcome

ensure all staff have an understanding of the 'Prevent duty guidance for England and Wales 2015' and wider safeguarding issues

p.2

Summary of outcome

ensure children are not left with adults whose suitability has not been checked by Ofsted

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Summary of outcome

ensure you obtain an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check for adults living or working on the premises in a timely manner

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Summary of outcome

provide evidence that effective recruitment and vetting procedures have been followed to show how suitability has been assessed

p.2

Summary of outcome

ensure staff understand their responsibility to disclose any information about convictions, cautions, court orders, reprimands and warnings that may affect their suitability to work with children

p.2

Summary of outcome

ensure you have an appropriate procedure to check that assistants do not live in a household as another person who is disqualified under the Childcare (Disqualification) Regulations 2018

p.2

Summary of outcome

implement effective induction procedures for assistants that include information about emergency evacuation procedures, safeguarding and child protection and ensure they have appropriate, training, skills and knowledge to undertake their role successfully

p.2

Summary of outcome

ensure that assistants care for no more than six children under the age of eight

p.2

Summary of outcome

maintain records and share information to those that have a right to see them and to ensure the safe and efficient management of your provision ensure records are easily accessible and available for inspection at all times, this is with particular regard to you not being able to show the inspector your accident and recruitment records

p.2

Summary of outcome

ensure confidential information and records about staff is only available to those that have a right or professional need to see them and understand your responsibilities under the Data Protection Act (DPA)1998

p.3

Summary of outcome

ensure a daily record of the names of the children being cared for on the premises, their hours of attendance and the names of each child's key person is accurate at all time.

p.3

Summary of outcome

On the 4 August 2020 we conducted a compliance monitoring visit for the Welfare Requirements Notice (WRN) served on the 27 July 2020. We found that the provider has taken some action to comply with the WRN. For example, the provider has improved knowledge of some aspects of child protection and record keeping. However, we found that the provider had failed to take all necessary action to comply with the WRN. Therefore, we have served a second WRN. The provider is still registered with Ofsted.

p.3

Summary of outcome

improve knowledge of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse to keep children safe from harm, which then enables you to identify, understand and respond appropriately to signs of all possible abuse and neglect

p.3

Summary of outcome

ensure you have a full understanding of the 'Prevent duty guidance for England and Wales 2015' and improve yours and your assistant's knowledge of wider safeguarding issues

p.3

Summary of outcome

ensure all staff have appropriate, training, skills and knowledge to undertake their safeguarding role successfully and provide good quality experiences for all children

p.3

Summary of outcome

ensure every child's care is tailored to meet their individual needs and that all children have a key person who helps them to become familiar with the setting and who supports them to have a secure and settled relationship with adults caring for them

p.3

Summary of outcome

take necessary steps to promote the good health of children and prevent the spread of infection, with particular regard to preventing children from drinking from each other's water bottles

p.3

Summary of outcome

improve the cleanliness of the kitchen area to ensure suitable facilities for the hygienic preparation of food

p.3

Summary of outcome

manage children's behaviour in an appropriate way and reinforce clear and consistent boundaries and expectations for their behaviour

p.3

Summary of outcome

ensure that the premises are fit for purpose and suitable for the age of the children cared for and the activities provided on the premises, are compliant with requirements of health and safety legislation

p.4

Summary of outcome

ensure that you take all reasonable steps to ensure children in your care are not exposed to risks and demonstrate how you are managing risks, with particular regard to the kitchen area and mesh gate

p.4

Summary of outcome

ensure records are available for inspection at all times, this is with particular regard to you not being able to show the inspector your recruitment records.

p.4

Summary of outcome

On the 18 August 2020 we conducted a compliance monitoring visit for the Welfare Requirements Notice (WRN) served on the 12 August 2020. We are satisfied with the action taken by the provider to comply with the WRN. For example, the provider has improved knowledge of all child protection issues and record keeping. The provider has improved procedures to keep children safe and well. The provider is still registered with Ofsted.

p.4

Summary of outcome

On 25 August 2020 we received concerns that this provider was not meeting some of the requirements. On 7 and 10 September 2020 we carried out a regulatory visit. We found the provider was not meeting some of the requirements. We have served a welfare requirements notice. This is a legal notice that requires the provider to take the actions below within the timescales set out. The provider will be able to give parents further information about this.

p.4

Summary of outcome

ensure children are left in the sole care of any assistant for two hours at most in a single day

p.4

Summary of outcome

ensure children are not left with adults whose suitability has not been checked by Ofsted

p.4

Summary of outcome

ensure you have an appropriate procedure to check that assistants do not live in a household as another person who is disqualified under the Childcare (Disqualification) Regulations 2018

p.4

Summary of outcome

ensure you obtain an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check for adults living or working on the premises in a timely manner

p.4

Summary of outcome

demonstrate that public liability insurance is appropriate for childminding purposes

p.4

Summary of outcome

ensure all staff, including those that provide emergency contingency cover, understand child protection procedures and know children's individual needs so that they can keep children safe and offer quality experiences.

p.4

Summary of outcome

We found that the provider now understands their responsibilities in relation to vetting procedures and has met the safeguarding and welfare actions raised. However, we are taking steps to cancel the provider's registration. The provider has a right to object to our intention to take these steps. The provider is still registered with Ofsted.

p.5

Summary of outcome

On 23 November 2020 we carried out a further unannounced regulatory visit. We found the provider was not meeting some of the requirements. We have served a welfare requirements notice. This is a legal notice that requires the provider to take the actions below within the timescales set out. The provider will be able to give parents further information about this.

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Summary of outcome

take necessary steps to promote the good health of children and prevent the spread of infection, with particular regard to not allowing the dog to jump up at highchairs when children are eating or allowing it to walk across the carpet with dirty feet, and preventing children from drinking from each other's water bottles

p.5

Summary of outcome

manage children's behaviour in an appropriate way; reinforce clear and consistent boundaries and help children to understand the expectations for their behaviour

p.5

Summary of outcome

ensure every child's care is tailored to meet their individual needs and that each child's key person helps them to have a positive, secure and settled relationship with the adults caring for them

p.5

Summary of outcome

ensure that exceptions to the usual ratios are only made, for example, when childminders are caring for sibling babies, caring for their own baby, or to maintain continuity of care, when the needs of all children can be met adequately.

p.5

Summary of outcome

On the 30 November 2020 we conducted a compliance monitoring visit for the Welfare Requirements Notice (WRN) served on the 23 November 2020. We found that the provider had met some of the actions set. For example, the provider has introduced new practice to manage children's behaviour and ensure every child's care is tailored to meet their individual needs. The provider also explained her procedure in relation to maintaining ratio requirements and that exceptions to the usual ratios will only be implemented where she cares for siblings and only where she can adequately meet the needs of children in this respect at the time. However, at the visit we found the provider was not meeting some of the requirements. We have served a fifth welfare requirements notice. This is a legal notice that requires the provider to take the actions below within the timescales set out. The provider will be able to give parents further information about this. The provider is still

p.5

Summary of outcome

ensure the refrigerator is clean so that food is stored in a hygienic and appropriate way and make sure that the dust pan, brush and kitchen cupboards are clean and free of food waste to help prevent the spread of infection and promote the good health of children.

p.6

Summary of outcome

We will monitor the provider's response to ensure the action is successfully completed.

p.6

Summary of outcome

On 1 December 2020, we received concerns that the provider was not meeting some of these requirements. On 2 December 2020, we carried out an announced regulatory visit. We suspended the provider's registration because we believe children may be at risk of harm. Suspension allows time for the provider to take steps to reduce or eliminate the risk of harm to children. The provider has a right to appeal against a suspension. The provider may not provide childcare for which registration is required while the suspension is in place and may commit an offence if they do so.

p.6

Summary of outcome

Having heard the provider's reasons for objecting to our notice of intention to cancel her registration on the 20 November 2020, we have decided to proceed with cancellation. The provider has the right to appeal to an independent external tribunal, the Health, Education and Social Care First-tier Tribunal.

p.6

Summary of outcome

On the 11 December 2020 we conducted a compliance monitoring visit for the Welfare Requirements Notice (WRN) served on the 1 December 2020. We are satisfied with the action taken by the provider to comply with the WRN. For example, the provider has cleaned her kitchen cupboard where the bin is stored. She has also cleaned the refrigerator and will ensure that food is stored in a hygienic way. The provider is still registered with Ofsted.

p.6

Summary of outcome

We have now lifted the suspension because the provider took appropriate action to deal with the matter that led to the suspension and we are satisfied that there is now no risk of harm to children.

p.6

Summary of outcome

As part of our monitoring process, we carried out unannounced regulatory visits to this provider on 12 January, 11 February and 18 March 2021. At these visits, we found that the provider was meeting the legal requirements in the Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage . On 10 May 2021, we carried out an early years inspection. At this visit, the provider received a judgement of 'Good' across all four of the inspection judgements. The full inspection report can be found on the Ofsted website. W e have decided not to proceed with cancellation and the provider remains registered with Ofsted.

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Publication of compliance action

We aim to ensure that the welfare of children and young people is protected in the services we regulate. The Childcare Act 2006 and accompanying regulations set out our responsibilities to regulate childminders and childcare providers. This includes the enforcement powers we have in relation to those registered providers who do not comply with the requirements for registration.

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Publication of compliance action

We publish details of any actions we take, or the childminder or childcare provider takes to bring about compliance with requirements on our website for a period of five years.

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Publication of compliance action

For further information please read the Early years compliance handbook which can be found here at www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-provider-non-compliance- action-by-ofsted .

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