Childminder in Hertfordshire

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

The childminder does not have a secure understanding of how to implement the early years foundation stage requirements. He has failed to meet a number of requirements which relate to safeguarding and children's welfare. This has a negative impact on children's care and learning.

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The provision is inadequate

Children are not receiving the education to which they are entitled from the childminder. His planning of group activities is poor and this does not support children's individual learning and development needs appropriately. Children sit quietly and listen to the uninspiring words from books the childminder reads to them. The concepts are too hard for children to understand and the childminder does not offer any explanation. Children do not have consistent, appropriate opportunities to hear and see words to develop their communication and vocabulary.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

While children appear settled and happy in the childminder's care, he does not take sufficient steps to provide appropriate opportunities suitable to their development. Despite this, children are keen to join in with creative activities. They participate in imaginative play and display caring natures as they pretend the dolls are babies. Children are learning how to take care of themselves and others. For example, they pretend to brush the doll's teeth and talk about their own teeth brushing routines.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder does not have a clear and ambitious view for his setting. He does not reflect on his practice and look for ways to continuously develop. Consequently, the childminder's practice has declined since the last inspection. He does not feel it is necessary to seek relevant professional development opportunities to help him improve his teaching skills and develop his knowledge. As a result, his curriculum planning is poor and activities are not well matched to children's development to support their learning. n The childminder's teaching skills are weak and he does not prepare for activities or consider the learning and development needs of the children. He does not recognise that the activities he has chosen are too difficult for the children and he does not adapt them accordingly. Children do not make good progress in their learning. n During the COVID-19 pandemic, the childminder and his co-minder made

p.2

need to do better?

changes to the service they offer. For example, they reduced the number of children attending to help minimise the risk of cross-infection from schools to the young children they care for. This helps to keep children safe and healthy. n Children have opportunities to learn about their similarities and differences. The childminder talks to children about their families and they learn what festivals

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need to do better?

29 November 2021 are important to their friends. At other times, the childminder interacts with children as they play, encouraging them to count. n The childminder encourages children to be independent. Children use safety knives to chop fruit for their snack and are pleased with their achievements. Additionally, children have opportunities to be physically active. They go on walks within the community and play in the garden, which supports their health and physical well-being. n The childminder gains some information from parents on what children can already do when they start to attend the setting, in order to work out what children need to learn next. However, he does not use this information to plan effectively to allow children to build on their learning. Planning is not tailored to each child to ensure it captures their individual learning needs and provides sufficiently challenging activities. n Parents' comments in children's development books are positive. They state they

p.2

need to do better?

are pleased with the progress their children are making. The childminder keeps parents updated on children's progress using electronic messages and discussions. n Children behave well in the childminder's home and follow his instructions. For example, they help to tidy up the toys when he asks them. Children have developed a secure relationship with the childminder and appear settled in his care.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder's poor child protection knowledge undermines his ability to protect the children in his care. He does not have a secure knowledge and understanding of all potential safeguarding and child protection issues. The childminder has failed to gain an understanding of the 'Prevent duty guidance for England and Wales 2021'. He does not know about protecting the children he cares for from being groomed or radicalised. This is a significant risk to children's safety. The childminder has a safeguarding policy in place, however, he has not considered the use of mobile phones and cameras in his setting. This further compromise children's safety.

p.3

Due date

29 November 2021 improve knowledge of safeguarding concerns, especially with regard to recognising signs of children being at risk of being groomed or radicalised 20/12/2021

p.3

Due date

improve knowledge of the 'Prevent duty guidance for England and Wales 2021' and implement into policies and practice 20/12/2021

p.4

Due date

ensure that the safeguarding policy includes procedures for the use of mobile phones and cameras 20/12/2021

p.4

Due date

undertake appropriate professional development opportunities to increase knowledge and understanding of how to provide children with a high-quality curriculum that helps them learn and develop 20/12/2021

p.4

Due date

improve the quality of teaching and provide a range of interesting and stimulating activities that meet individual children's learning needs and focus on what they need to learn next in order to secure their good progress. 20/12/2021

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY223233 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10103782 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 6 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection 10 July 2013

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2002 and lives in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. He works alongside his wife who is also a registered childminder. The childminder operates from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. He is registered to provide overnight care.

p.5

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID19 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 inspector and the childminder discussed how the curriculum is organised and looked at the space used for children's learning. n The inspector observed the childminder and his co-minder joining in activities with children and discussed the learning that was taking place with him. n A sample of policies and procedures was looked at by the inspector, which included documents relating to safeguarding and complaints. n The inspector discussed the needs of individual children with the childminder and talked with him about the progress they are making. n The inspector took into account the written views of parents and discussed how the childminder evaluates his practice.

p.5

Inspection activities

29 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.

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Inspection activities

29 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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