Childminder in Lancashire

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.

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Summary of outcome

On 23 September 2021, we carried out an inspection and found the childminder was not meeting some of these requirements. The overall effectiveness of the provision was judged to be inadequate.

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Summary of outcome

We suspended the childminder's registration on 23 September 2021, because we believed that children may be at risk of harm. Suspension allows time for the childminder to take steps to reduce or eliminate the risk of harm to children. The childminder has a right to appeal against a suspension. The childminder may not provide childcare for which registration is required while the suspension is in place and may commit an offence if they do so.

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Summary of outcome

We served a welfare requirements notice. This is a legal notice that requires the childminder to take the actions below within the timescales set out. The childminder will be able to give parents further information about this.

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Summary of outcome

ensure all adults working with the children have a thorough understanding of what to do if allegations are made about any person who lives or works on the childminding premises

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Summary of outcome

ensure there are enough adults working directly with the children at all times, to meet their individual needs and keep them safe

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Summary of outcome

ensure that no smoking takes place on the premises when children are, or are about to, be present, and implement effective measures to protect children from the effects of second- hand smoke

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Summary of outcome

ensure the premises are clean and children are not exposed to items which are hazardous to their health, in particular, dog faeces, stale food and household rubbish implement an effective risk assessment and ensure children are not exposed to hazards on the premises; including, broken equipment, stacked equipment, access to unsafe items in the kitchen, cigarettes and cigarette stubs

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Summary of outcome

ensure the premises are clean, safe, fit for purpose and suitable for the ages of children attending

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Summary of outcome

ensure that babies are placed to sleep safely

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Summary of outcome

ensure an effective key-person system is in place which promotes every child's emotional well-being and gives them the individual support they need to feel settled

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Summary of outcome

ensure an accurate record of children's hours of attendance is maintained at all times.

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Summary of outcome

On 22 October 2021, we carried out an unannounced visit. We found that the childminder had improved their knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures and now fully understands their responsibilities in relation to managing allegations. The childminder had taken significant steps to clean, reorganise and make safe the premises and equipment. She had implemented more robust procedures for assessing risk and for checking the suitability of the play spaces. The childminder had implemented a no smoking policy, on her premises and to reduce the risk of harm associated with second-hand smoke. She had improved the hygiene arrangements around her dogs' use of the outside area, where children also played. The childminder identified a safe space to site a pram or travel cot in the lounge to provide safe sleeping arrangements. She restructured the registers and record-keeping procedures, to help her to plan for and demonstrate the names of each child

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Summary of outcome

present and the names of the adults who cared for them. The childminder had thought carefully how to ensure sufficient numbers of staff are suitably deployed to meet the needs of all children present.

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Summary of outcome

On 25 September 2021, we lifted the suspension because the childminder took appropriate action to deal with the matter that led to the suspension. We are satisfied the childminder has met the safeguarding and welfare actions raised and that the identified risk of harm to children has been removed.

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Summary of outcome

The childminder is still 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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