Childminder, Out-of school day care in Essex

This provision does not meet requirements

Children's safety and well-being are significantly compromised because the childminder has failed to identify several breaches in the requirements of the early years foundation stage. Although the childminder recognises that there are weaknesses in her knowledge and practice, she has not taken steps to rectify these. For example, she has not attended safeguarding training for a significant number of years. As a result, the childminder's knowledge is not up to date with the current regulations and legislation. The childminder's safeguarding policy and procedures have not been updated for over eight years and are not in line with current legislation. This poses a significant risk to children and compromises their safety and welfare. In addition, children's health and well-being are not supported effectively because the childminder does not consistently keep required records.

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This provision does not meet requirements

Despite this, children settle quickly when they arrive at the childminder's home after school. They move around the environment confidently and know where to find the resources they want to play with. Children of all ages play well together and remain engaged. They say they enjoy spending time at the childminder's home. Children behave well and are considerate of others. For example, they decide to share out the spinning-top toys equally and put one back in the bag, so that the game is fair.

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need to do better?

n The childminder demonstrates a poor knowledge and understanding of the statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage. She fails to ensure she keeps up to date with changes and has overlooked aspects of the provision that require improvement. This compromises children's safety and welfare. n The childminder has not updated her policies and procedures for a significant number of years. As a result, the safeguarding policy is not in line with current local safeguarding guidance. The childminder is unaware of the changes. This significantly compromises children's safety. n The childminder has not undertaken any professional development opportunities, except mandatory first-aid training, for a significant period of time. She recognises the need to improve her knowledge, understanding and skills. However, she has not yet explored ways in which she can achieve this. As a result, the childminder lacks knowledge of the requirements and does not

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need to do better?

continually improve her practice. n At school collection, the childminder talks to teachers and passes on any important information to parents. However, she does not maintain and share information to ensure the needs of all children are met and there is an overview of patterns of concerns in a child's life at home or elsewhere.

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need to do better?

3 March 2022 n The childminder fails to maintain necessary records. For example, she does not obtain written permission from parents prior to each medication being administered to children, or keep a written record of all medication administered. In addition, she does not keep an accurate record of accidents or injuries, and of any first-aid treatment given to children in her care. n The childminder does not have a secure understanding of the requirement to notify Ofsted of any significant events, or incident, which may impact the suitability of people caring for children. n Children do not always have daily opportunities to be physically active and play outside in the fresh air. During this inspection, children were not able to go outside to play in the childminder's garden despite the good weather. This compromises children's health and well-being. n The childminder provides a healthy snack for children when they return from

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need to do better?

school. Children sit together and chat enthusiastically about their day at school. They show good manners and dispose of any rubbish appropriately. n The childminder provides a good selection of resources for children and considers their interests. Children have access to a good selection of books. Some children like to sit and read quietly. Others chat together and talk about the books they like to read. n Parents comment that their children are happy to spend time with the childminder. They value her support and flexibility. They appreciate the recent construction of a canopy to shelter them from bad weather when they collect their children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has failed to keep her safeguarding knowledge up to date. She has not attended regular safeguarding training and shows a very poor understanding of her responsibilities to safeguard children. She does not demonstrate a thorough understanding of the signs and symptoms that might indicate a child is at risk of harm. The childminder does not fully understand the action to take and who to contact when there are possible concerns about a child in her care. The childminder does not demonstrate a good understanding of wider safeguarding issues, such as the 'Prevent' duty. This lack of knowledge and understanding puts children's safety and welfare at significant risk.

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Due date

3 March 2022 ensure safeguarding policy and procedures remain up to date and are in line with local safeguarding partnership guidance 14/04/2022

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Due date

gain a thorough and ongoing knowledge of safeguarding procedures, in order to swiftly identify and report concerns regarding children's safety and welfare; this includes local authority designated officer training 14/04/2022

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Due date

undertake suitable professional development opportunities to ensure that you can meet the requirements and continually improve practice 14/04/2022

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Due date

maintain and share information with other professionals to ensure the needs of all children are met and there is an overview of patterns of concerns in a child's life at home or elsewhere 14/04/2022

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Due date

keep an accurate record of accidents or injuries, and of any first-aid treatment given to children in your care 14/04/2022

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Due date

obtain written permission from parents prior to each medication being administered to children and keep a written record of all medication administered 14/04/2022

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Due date

improve your understanding of the requirement to notify Ofsted of any significant events or incident, which may impact the suitability of people caring for children 14/04/2022

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Due date

ensure children have daily opportunities to be physically active and play outside in the fresh air. 14/04/2022

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY245543 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10124402 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 10 Number of children on roll 11 Date of previous inspection 3 June 2014

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2003 and lives in Colchester, Essex. She operates during school term time, from 7.30am to 9am, and from 3pm to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays.

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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 the premises and discussed how they ensure it is safe and suitable. n The inspector spoke to children, to find out about their time at the setting. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children. n The inspector looked at a sample of key documentation.

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Inspection activities

3 March 2022 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

3 March 2022 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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