Childminder in Southend on Sea

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Inadequate Behaviour and attitudes Inadequate Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Requires improvement

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The provision is inadequate

The provision for children's learning is weak. Children do not receive challenging learning opportunities, which build on their prior knowledge. The curriculum is poorly designed and does not meet children's individual learning needs. Children lack engagement in activities and the disorganised environment hinders their learning. The space available for children to play and learn in is limited, which creates a busy environment. Children who attend more than one setting do not receive a consistent approach to their learning as the childminder does not use the information gained from the other provision well enough. In addition, the arrangements for young children's sleep are unsafe and inappropriate, demonstrating that the childminder has a poor understanding of risks and how to prevent them. Some surfaces are unclean, creating an unhygienic space for children to eat their snacks and meals in.

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The provision is inadequate

Despite this, children appear happy and settled in the childminder's care. Although children move freely in the childminder's home, this is limited to the kitchen and garden. Children play cooperatively together, they have fun adding glitter to blue sand and watch it pour from the selection of containers. Children use play dough cutters and shapes to create models. They name the colours of the different play dough in each tub.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has not demonstrated the capacity to improve her understanding of how children learn, despite completing a number of training courses around learning, development and assessment. She now seeks information from parents about what their children can do when they first come to her. However, she is not using this information effectively enough to plan a curriculum that is tailored to meet individual children's needs. The childminder has unrealistic expectations of the children in her care. She does not adapt her teaching to help children learn and build on what they already know. n The childminder now has better links with other settings that children attend. However, she does not use the information shared with her effectively enough to provide children with a consistent approach to their learning. n The space used for childminding within the childminder's home is limited. This means that when shared with her family, for example it can become busy and

p.2

need to do better?

chaotic. This creates an environment that is not conducive to children's learning. n The childminder's arrangements for young children to sleep are unsafe. The childminder has not completed effective risk assessments to assure children's safety when they are sleeping. Some of the surfaces within the childminder's home, such as the legs of the highchair, the table and chairs and the back of the changing mat, are unclean creating an unhygienic space for children to eat and

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need to do better?

12 August 2021 have their personal needs attended to. n Children's mealtimes are disorganised. The childminder tries to take into account the individual children's routines. However, by doing this with little planning and preparation, some of the children do not eat the meals prepared for them by their parents. Others are fed while being held by the childminder as she moves between the kitchen and garden to watch the other children. n The childminder kept in regular contact with the families using her childminding provision during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Most of these children started school during this period so did not return to her care. The childminder has since commenced caring for a new cohort of children and developed her settling-in arrangements around the current government guidance. n Parents are happy with the care their children receive. They comment that their children enjoy their time with the childminder and her family and often speak

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need to do better?

about them when they return home. n Children have opportunities to learn about caring for animals as they tend to and pet the childminder's guinea pigs. They observe insects and creatures that live in a section of wildflowers and grasses in her garden. n The childminder enables children to enjoy physical play when they jump on the trampoline and visit parks and playgrounds in the local area.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the types of abuse. She recognises the signs and symptoms that would alert her to a child being mistreated or harmed. The childminder understands the importance of recognising wider safeguarding concerns, such as children being radicalised or drawn into gangs. The childminder regularly updates her safeguarding knowledge, for example through training and research. The childminder shares her safeguarding knowledge with her assistants, who do not work with her regularly.

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Due date

use the information gained about each child to plan a range of challenging experiences in all areas of learning 14/09/2021

p.3

Due date

12 August 2021 ensure children benefit from a good range of both adult-led and child-led play, which responds to children's individual needs and interests and builds on what they already know 14/09/2021

p.3

Due date

provide an area which is adequately equipped, clean and well organised for children to enjoy their meals and snacks 14/09/2021

p.4

Due date

ensure that the premises, including overall floor space, are fit for purpose and suitable for the age of the children being cared for and the activities on offer 14/09/2021

p.4

Due date

provide a safe and comfortable space for babies and children to rest 14/09/2021

p.4

Due date

take all reasonable steps to ensure that children are not exposed to risks, especially when sleeping 14/09/2021

p.4

Due date

use the information gained from other settings that children attend to create a consistent approach to children's learning. 14/09/2021

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY545970 Local authority Southend-on-Sea Inspection number 10128264 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection 9 October 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017. She lives in Westcliff On Sea, Essex. The childminder operates Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6pm all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder, occasionally, works with assistants.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the provider. n The childminder showed the inspector all areas of their premises used for childminding purposes. n The inspector spoke to the childminder about her learning intentions for the children and spoke to children at appropriate times. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Parents provided the inspector with oral and written feedback. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

12 August 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.

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Inspection activities

12 August 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.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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