Childminder in Durham

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Inadequate Behaviour and attitudes Inadequate Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

p.1

The provision is inadequate

The childminder has a poor understanding of her responsibilities to safeguard children. She has failed to follow local authority safeguarding procedures when she has had a concern about a child. The childminder does not ensure children are safe because she has not identified potential hazards within her home. Children's welfare is not protected because the childminder fails to maintain necessary records for childminding. For example, she does not obtain prior written permission to administer medication to children. Furthermore, nappy changing procedures compromise children's health.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

The childminder has a poor understanding of how to support children in their learning. She has unrealistic expectations about what children can achieve. She does not build on what children already know and can do. Her knowledge of child development is poor. This significantly hinders the progress children make. Despite the weaknesses in teaching, children demonstrate reasonable concentration. They are happy and they enjoy sitting and listening to the childminder read stories. However, the experience lacks challenge or purpose because some books have torn pages, making it difficult for the childminder to read. She also confirms that she does not know what she wants the children to learn from this experience. The childminder has altered how children arrive and leave the premises since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Children leave their parents at the door and wash their hands on arrival. Windows are also now left open to ventilate the

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder does not have effective risk assessments in place. The childminder has used rope to try and secure gates, which are waist height, and her doors are unlocked. This does not prevent unauthorised visitors from entering her home. Cleaning fluids and a razor are visible and accessible to children in the bathroom. The childminder fails to comply with the manufacturer's guidance on the safe use of the trampoline. For example, she allows children aged under six years to use it. This compromises children's safety. n The childminder fails to maintain all required records for childminding to ensure children's needs are met and their welfare is maintained. Furthermore, at the time of the inspection, information relating to the children in her care was not easily accessible and available. This prevents her from sharing information with other professionals in a timely manner. n The childminder does not have a clear policy for administering medication to

p.2

need to do better?

children. As a result, she has administered medication to children without obtaining prior written permission. In addition, she has not kept a record each

p.2

need to do better?

15 June 2021 time medicine is administered. The childminder does not have safe and hygienic procedures for nappy changing. She changes children's nappies on the carpet where children are playing. This compromises children's health and safety. n The childminder does not consider children's needs or stages of development when planning her curriculum. Her poor knowledge of child development and how children learn limits her ability to provide a broad curriculum to support children's individual needs. The childminder plans activities that exceed children's understanding. For example, she plans activities for children to recognise numbers but does not consider the prior skills children need to know, such as counting objects accurately, to enable them to do this. This prevents children from making the best possible progress. n Partnerships with parents and other professionals involved with children are not

p.2

need to do better?

effective. The childminder does not obtain relevant information about children in a timely way when they first start. She does not gather enough information about children's health conditions so that she can meet their needs effectively and promote their well-being. n Children behave well in the childminder's home and follow her instructions. For example, they tidy up the toys when she asks them. Parents comment that their children's behaviour has calmed down a lot since they started. n Children develop good relationships with the childminder. They enjoy sitting on her knee listening to stories. Children greet the inspector confidently. Parents comment that their children enjoy spending time with the childminder. They say that they can relax at work because their children are happy.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a weak knowledge of safeguarding and child protection. She does not understand her responsibilities to report safeguarding concerns to other professionals in a timely manner. The childminder is not alert to all possible signs and symptoms that suggest a child is suffering from abuse or neglect. Her policies and procedures do not ensure the safety of children in her care. The childminder is unaware of current statutory guidance documents, including 'Working Together to Safeguard Children'. She is also unfamiliar with how to identify and protect children from extreme views and behaviours. Failure to maintain relevant information and records compromises children's safety. Furthermore, poor risk assessments pose further threats to children's safety.

p.3

Due date

ensure the ability to identify, understand and respond appropriately to signs of possible abuse and neglect 29/06/2021

p.4

Due date

improve knowledge and understanding of safeguarding policy and procedures, to enable concerns to be responded to in a timely and appropriate way 29/06/2021

p.4

Due date

develop understanding of the 'Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018' and 'Prevent duty guidance for England and Wales 2015' 29/06/2021

p.4

Due date

ensure all reasonable action is taken to prevent unauthorised persons from entering the premises 29/06/2021

p.4

Due date

review and improve risk assessments to ensure that all potential hazards are identified and relevant steps are taken to manage and minimise these 29/06/2021

p.4

Due date

ensure written permission is obtained prior to administering medicine to children, and maintain a written record each time medicine is administered and inform parents or carers as soon as possible 29/06/2021

p.4

Due date

ensure procedures for changing nappies are safe and hygienic 29/06/2021

p.4

Due date

maintain all relevant records and obtain and share information with parents and other professionals working with children to ensure the safe and efficient management of the setting, and to meet children's individual needs 29/06/2021

p.4

Due date

ensure records are easily accessible and available to Ofsted. 29/06/2021

p.4

Due date

improve knowledge and understanding of how to identify individual children's stage of development, and use this information to plan and deliver appropriately challenging activities which build on what each child already knows and can do. 06/07/2021

p.5

Setting details

Unique reference number 2502629 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10191517 Type of provision Childminder

p.6

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.6

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 3 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.6

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2018 and lives in Bishop Auckland. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for two-year-old children.

p.6

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 pandemic. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The childminder showed the inspector around the parts of her home used for childminding. She explained how she planned her curriculum. n The inspector observed the children playing and observed the childminder's interactions with children. n The childminder evaluated an activity with the inspector. n Parents provided written feedback for the purpose of the inspection. n The inspector talked to the childminder at various points during the inspection. n The childminder showed the inspector a range of documentation, including those relating to her suitability.

p.6

Inspection activities

15 June 2021 We carried out this inspection 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.6

Inspection activities

15 June 2021 regulates and inspects to 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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.7

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspection activities

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.8

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8