Childminder in Essex

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 Good

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The provision is inadequate

Children's safety is compromised. The childminder does not carry out risk assessments that are thorough enough. Younger children are able to access small items that pose a choking hazard. Children are provided with a wide range of learning opportunities indoors and through trips and outings. However, the childminder does not plan suitably challenging activities for all children. In addition, children who prefer to learn outdoors have few opportunities to access the childminder's garden freely.

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The provision is inadequate

Despite this, children enjoy their time with the childminder. They move confidently around the areas of her home used for childminding. Children are kind and caring towards each other. They understand the childminder's house rules, such as tidying away the toys they have finished using before they get new ones out. Children are polite and well-mannered, remembering to say 'please' and 'thank you'. They have fun as they learn about the seasons. For example, they visit a pumpkin farm in autumn and choose a selection of pumpkins of different shapes and colours to display. Children paint using conkers they have collected and explore a tray of leaves and other natural materials.

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need to do better?

n The childminder does not risk assess some of the activities she provides well enough to ensure younger children remain safe. She does not fully consider the developmental stage of some of the children. As a result, small items that could be swallowed by younger children are freely available at their height. n The childminder does not keep appropriate records and make them available for inspection. She does not provide written summaries of children's progress between the ages of two and three years for parents, as required. The childminder does not ensure that she complies with data protection requirements, such as maintaining her registration with the Information Commissioner's Office. n Children participate in a wide range of planned and freely chosen learning experiences indoors. However, at times, the childminder focuses too heavily on formal teaching of shapes, numbers and letters and does not extend the

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need to do better?

children's learning in an enjoyable and challenging way. The childminder takes children on outings. However, she does not plan well enough for children who prefer to learn outdoors. The childminder makes some use of her garden, but mostly during the summer months when the garden is less wet. n The childminder has continued working during the majority of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the national lockdowns, she cared for the children of key workers. Parents comment verbally and in writing how well the childminder supported them through this period. They are complimentary about her care and

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need to do better?

11 November 2021 state how they trust her to care for their children. n The childminder provides activities and discussions that help children to develop their mathematical thinking. She encourages them to count as they make decisions about how many conkers they would like to use for their painting. She uses large and small resources to help children to understand the concept of bigger and smaller. The childminder supports this learning through appropriate language. n Children learn to take turns and share equipment. For example, the childminder uses a timer on her phone to help children share a favourite magnifying glass. The children enjoy setting the timer and waiting for the alarm to sound. n Children practise picking up objects with plastic tweezers. They concentrate and achieve their aim, transferring the items from one place to another. The childminder is on hand to support their learning. n The childminder has completed some core training since her last inspection in

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need to do better?

relation to safeguarding and managing children's behaviour.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder's risk assessments are not robust enough to ensure that younger children remain safe. The childminder knows the signs and symptoms that would alert her to a child being abused or harmed. She understands current safeguarding legislation and guidance, such as the 'Prevent' duty. The childminder updates her safeguarding knowledge regularly and keeps abreast of changes.

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Due date

risk assess all aspects of the provision to ensure that children are not exposed to risks, especially the resources used for younger children 10/12/2021

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Due date

ensure that records are easily accessible and available for inspection 10/12/2021

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Due date

retain records relating to individual children for a reasonable period after the child has left the provision 10/12/2021

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Due date

11 November 2021 consider the individual needs, interests and development of each child and use this information to plan challenging and interesting activities for each child indoors and outdoors 10/12/2021

p.3

Due date

complete a progress check for all children between the ages of two and three years 10/12/2021

p.4

Due date

adhere to data protection legislation. 10/12/2021

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY348088 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10213593 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 11 Date of previous inspection 9 December 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2007 and lives in Chelmsford, Essex. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder receives funding for the provision of early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The childminder showed the inspector all areas of her premises and discussed how she ensures that they are suitable. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n Children shared their views with the inspector. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children. n The childminder and the inspector discussed an observation and how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact that this had 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 documents on

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Inspection activities

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

11 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.

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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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