Childminder in Kent

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

p.1

The provision is inadequate

Although children are happy and secure in the childminder's care, she does not help them effectively to develop positive attitudes to their learning. The childminder does not organise the environment well enough to engage children's interests and challenge them during periods of free play. This has an impact on the way that children behave. For example, children constantly run up and down the playroom and throw toys, which could potentially harm others. Children benefit from some time outside. However, too many children are allowed on the trampoline at one time. This potentially puts them at risk of accidents or injuries. Children's health is also not fully protected. For instance, they share one towel in the bathroom, which could transmit illnesses. Additionally, children do not develop an awareness of good oral health. The childminder does not keep up to date with changes to local safeguarding agencies and their relevant guidance.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

The childminder has high expectations for children's literacy. Children are beginning to write the letters in their name. Although children enjoy some stories, books are not fully accessible as these are kept on high shelves. Therefore, learning opportunities are reduced for children. Children listen to a story about going swimming. They talk about swimming with their own families at home and develop their confidence to speak in a group situation. Children are encouraged to recall different events in the story, to reflect on their own learning. For instance, they say that the swimming pool was a 'big' pool. Children learn new words to add to their growing vocabulary, such as 'splash'.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder provides opportunities for children to have daily exercise, which supports their physical and emotional health. For example, she takes children to the soft-play area and they go on nature walks to see the wildlife around the local lakes. Children subsequently learn about the community in which they live and about the wider world around them. Children play on the equipment in the childminder's garden to develop their large-muscle skills. However, the childminder does not follow the manufacturer's instructions and comply with the requirements of health and safety legislation, regarding how many children play on the trampoline at the same time. In addition, she does not keep her safeguarding knowledge up to date to ensure that children are protected. Furthermore, she does not have appropriate fire control equipment in place on the premises to meet safety requirements. These breaches in legal requirements

p.2

need to do better?

have an impact on keeping children healthy and safe. n Children freely access writing materials to help to develop their emerging writing skills. They persevere during an adult-directed task and concentrate appropriately when they colour in sheets of 'Pudsey Bear', printed off the

p.2

need to do better?

18 November 2021 computer. Children are learning to write the letters in their name. However, they struggle during periods of free play to focus their attention and choose activities. The childminder does not set up the environment in an enticing way to motivate children to play. As a result, children continually display unwanted behaviour. n Overall, children have an appropriate understanding of a range of mathematical concepts and language, ready for the next stage in their learning. For example, they learn to recognise numbers and name colours in a game, rolling two separate dice. Children develop their physical skills, for example by picking up counting bears with large tweezers and putting them into cups. They practise their hand-to-eye coordination. Children count, hear the names of numbers and start to recognise them in books. n The childminder provides healthy nutritious snacks, cooked meals and drinks for

p.2

need to do better?

children. Children wash their hands before meals and manage their own personal hygiene routines. However, the childminder does not take sufficient steps to prevent cross-infection and possible illness in relation to handwashing facilities. She also does not promote children's good oral health, as required. This compromises children's health and well-being. Nonetheless, the childminder sits at the table with children during mealtimes to support their social and language skills. They discuss what fruit they like and develop an awareness of healthy eating. However, the childminder does not encourage children to manage some tasks for themselves to support their growing independence, such as peeling their own bananas at snack time. n There are effective arrangements in place for sharing information before children start. The childminder finds out from parents what children know and can do, which helps them to settle. Children form close attachments with the

p.3

need to do better?

childminder. Parents are informed regularly about their children's progress, which supports home learning. The childminder has recently attended some training about the new curriculum. However, the quality of teaching is not fully effective. Self-evaluation is still in its early stages. The childminder involves parents in making a few suggestions about how she could continually improve. However, she does not make the most of opportunities to develop her practice, for example by sharing ideas with other childcare professionals.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has not kept her knowledge of local multi-agency child protection arrangements up to date. She has not updated her safeguarding policy to reflect recent changes in local authority reporting protocols. This affects her ability to act appropriately to protect children's welfare if needed. The childminder does not have a highly secure understanding of the signs and symptoms of suspected child abuse, to protect children from the risk of harm. She has a satisfactory understanding about some of the wider safeguarding issues, such as behavioural indicators related to radicalisation and extremism, and she knows who to report her concerns to. The childminder does not ensure that her risk assessment is effective. She does not keep children healthy and safe.

p.3

Due date

ensure that the organisation of the environment and resources is consistently stimulating to support children's self-chosen play 06/12/2021

p.4

Due date

keep up to date with local area child protection guidance and develop a secure understanding and knowledge of the signs and symptoms of child abuse, to protect children from the risk of harm 10/01/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure that the safeguarding children policy intended to safeguard children is kept up to date 06/12/2021

p.4

Due date

ensure that appropriate fire control equipment is in place, such as a fire blanket 20/12/2021

p.4

Due date

comply with requirements of health and safety legislation when using equipment 06/12/2021

p.4

Due date

ensure that robust arrangements are in place to reduce the risk of cross-infection when handwashing, and to teach children about good oral health. 06/12/2021

p.4

should:

n provide further opportunities through daily routines to help children be independent and manage some tasks for themselves.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY558301 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10190321 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 5 Number of children on roll 3 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2018 and lives in Greenhithe, Dartford, Kent. She operates from Monday to Friday all year round, except for bank holidays and planned family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 pandemic began. 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 walked the inspector around her home to understand how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder and interacted with children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector looked at a sample of documents. This included the safeguarding children's policy and complaints procedure.

p.5

Inspection activities

18 November 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.5

Inspection activities

18 November 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.6

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.7

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.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7