Childminder in Lancashire

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

Children's safety is compromised due to significant breaches of requirements. Risk assessment procedures are not always effective. This results in the premises not being secure and individuals being able to gain access, without permission, while minded children are present. The childminder has failed to notify Ofsted of changes to individuals working directly with children. New assistants who have not had their suitability determined work in ratio with children, which is a breach of requirements. The childminder has allowed her paediatric first-aid certificate to expire. Neither she nor any of her assistants hold a current paediatric first-aid certificate. Some assistants do not follow the childminder's safeguarding policy regarding mobile phone use. These matters place children at risk.

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The provision is inadequate

Children are happy in the nurturing care of the childminder and her team of assistants. While some children at times struggle to appropriately regulate their emotions, they do recognise when they have not behaved kindly to their friends. They then show their caring attitude and emerging emotional awareness by hugging their friends and apologising without prompting. In the main, children receive a balanced curriculum. They use their imagination to create their own games and explore numbers and quantities in support of their mathematical development. Children recall past experiences. They talk about a recent visit to the aquarium and the names of the fish they saw.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has failed to maintain the improvements seen at the monitoring visit, which took place after the previous inspection. On the day of this inspection, the inspector was able to access the premises as the front door was left unlocked. While the childminder took immediate action to resolve the issue, this indicates that she continues to fail to adequately risk assess her premises. That said, the outdoor area is now well maintained and suitable for children to use. The home is no longer cluttered and is otherwise free from hazards. n There are significant weaknesses in the childminder's approach to recruitment and vetting. She has not told Ofsted about some assistants who work with directly with children. The childminder also has no proof of suitability, such as a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, for some assistants. n The childminder does not appropriately or safely deploy her assistants. During

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need to do better?

the inspection, an unchecked assistant took children to the toilet alone and out of sight of the childminder. This placed children at potential risk. Once brought to her attention, the childminder ensured this did not happen again during the rest of the inspection. n New assistants talk about the support they receive from the childminder to help them improve their practice. This includes induction information to familiarise

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need to do better?

4 March 2022 themselves with various policies and procedures, which they adhere to. However, longer standing assistants disregard aspects of some policies. For example, they sit in a room with sleeping children out of sight of the childminder and use their personal mobile phones. This is contrary to the childminder's policy and places children at potential risk. n The childminder acknowledges that she employs assistants in order to help her meet the needs of all early years children in her care. However, until their suitability is determined by Ofsted, assistants cannot work in ratio with children. On the day of inspection, some assistants had not yet had their suitability confirmed. This means that ratio requirements were not met, which is a breach of requirements. n The childminder now ensures that the environment is smoke free. Young children now sleep free from the risks associated with second-hand smoke.

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need to do better?

Hygiene routines are effective. Overall, the premises are suitable. n The childminder has made improvements in the curriculum provided to children. There is now greater support for their emerging independence. Children are supported in learning how to manage their own emotions and to do things for themselves. As a result, they are better prepared for their eventual move to school. However, breaches of statutory requirements have a significant impact on children's learning and development. n Children are rarely upset or distressed. The childminder and her assistants are attentive to children's needs and provide activities that interest and stimulate them. Assistants get down at ground level with babies and encourage them to reach for items on a mobile above them. Their motivation sees babies really try hard to stretch and grab hold of their target. Such activities help babies develop their core strength and coordination.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder fails to adequately risk assess her premises, which allows others access to the premises while children are present. Her approach to recruitment of assistants lacks rigour. Newly appointed assistants begin working with children, in ratio, without verifying their suitability. This includes no proof of a DBS check being completed. The childminder's mobile phone policy does not ensure children's safety. She failed to notify Ofsted of a change to individuals working directly with the children. The childminder and her assistants have a sound understanding of indicators of abuse. They know how to report concerns if they are worried about a child. Assistants are clear in their responsibility to whistle blow if they feel that the childminder is not reporting concerns appropriately. The childminder and her assistants know precisely what to do should there be an allegation against anyone living or working on the premises.

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Due date

implement effective risk assessments to ensure children's safety, with particular regard to the security of the premises 15/04/2022

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Due date

ensure that the setting's policy for the use of mobile phones is implemented at all times 15/04/2022

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Due date

ensure people looking after children are suitable to fulfil the requirements of the role 15/04/2022

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Due date

ensure that those individuals whose suitability has not yet been determined do not work in ratio with children 15/04/2022

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Due date

ensure that at least one person working with children holds an appropriate and current paediatric first-aid certificate. 15/04/2022

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY457908 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10210847 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 9 Date of previous inspection 23 September 2021

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2013 and lives in Accrington. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.45pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an early years qualification at level 6. She employs three assistants.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n The inspector spoke to a parent during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The childminder and the inspector carried out a joint observation.

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Inspection activities

4 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

4 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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