Childminder in Milton Keynes

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

The weak curriculum for children does not support their ongoing learning and future development effectively. As a result, some activities for children do not have a good purpose, meaning any learning is coincidental. The unsafe environment poses a risk for children's safety, and their well-being is compromised. This has a negative impact on their all-round development and their day-to-day experiences. Despite these significant weaknesses, children demonstrate that they are content and enjoy playing together. For example, during the inspection, children spent considerable time playing with dough where they made imaginary food and characters. Children are strong communicators who are starting to express their ideas. They ask questions readily as they play. The childminder talks to children and supports their developing communication skills. She recognises when children do not make expected progress in their development. This enables her to seek

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The provision is inadequate

advice from other professionals so that children have additional support when needed.

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The provision is inadequate

Overall, children behave well. They need encouragement to remind them of expectations and respond positively to this. Children discuss their disagreements and learn about how others feel. Activities help children to share resources and learn about taking turns. The childminder has close relationships with children, and they respond to her warm attention. Children demonstrate that they feel secure and enjoy talking and laughing with the childminder.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has become lax in the organisation of her childminding provision. She exposes children to an environment that is not safe and ready for them to play and learn. For example, when children arrive, there is an ironing board and iron set up in the living room. In the bathroom, there are plastic bags within children's reach which pose a risk of suffocation. n The childminder does not maintain a safe environment for children. Her risk assessments are not effective to identify hazards. This places children at risk of harm. There is medication within reach of children in both the living room and the kitchen. This medication, if consumed, is toxic and harmful for children. Consequently, this means the childminder fails to protect children adequately. n The childminder does not deal with complaints about her provision suitably. She does not consistently investigate and evaluate complaints and provide a written

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need to do better?

response as required. This means that she does not meet requirements or evaluate how she can improve her provision. n There is no clear focus or intention for the curriculum for children. The childminder plans 'in the moment' for children but does not consider how her support can develop their future learning. She does not reflect on how she can

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need to do better?

19 April 2022 adapt a curriculum to suit children's different ages or the different periods of time that they attend her setting for. As a result, although children enjoy the activities, these do not help to motivate and stimulate them or challenge them to learn future skills. n Despite the weaknesses in children's learning and development, the childminder observes children and exchanges information with their parents. This helps her to provide children with some continuity in their learning and experiences and includes parents in their children's care. n The childminder takes children on outings outside of the home. These are positive for children as they enjoy jumping in huge muddy puddles at the woods, choosing books at the library and buying ingredients for cooking activities at the shops. n Through exchanging information with families, the childminder knows children well. She values children's home circumstances and previous experiences, such

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need to do better?

as their special family celebrations. This helps her to support children's individuality. n The childminder recognises the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's mental health. She has attended training to help her to promote children's well-being. n The childminder works alongside other childminders to help her to consider different aspects of her work with children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder does not take action to keep children safe in her home. However, she does fully understand her responsibility in relation to recognising and responding to child protection concerns. The childminder can identify what might indicate that children are at risk of harm. She knows how to work with the local safeguarding children partners to report any concerns about children's welfare. She knows about risks children face outside of her setting. The childminder is aware of how to support families and recognises the negative impact of poverty on children's lives. She understands how local crime in the community can affect families' sense of safety.

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Due date

19 April 2022 conduct regular risk assessments of all areas used by children to ensure that any hazardous items are removed, including storing of medications safely out of the reach of children 13/05/2022

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Due date

maintain the environment so that it is always organised and safe for children's use 13/05/2022

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Due date

ensure that all complaints are dealt with appropriately following requirements and that a suitable record of these are kept 13/05/2022

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Due date

provide children with a broad curriculum to strengthen their prior learning and build upon what they know now and need to learn in the future. 13/05/2022

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY494674 Local authority Milton Keynes Inspection number 10233103 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 9 Date of previous inspection 23 April 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016. She lives in Monkston Park, in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. She provides care from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, except family holidays and Christmas. The childminder holds a level 3 early years qualification. She provides funded early education for children aged two and three years old.

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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 inspector observed the quality of the curriculum during discussions about activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the childminder. n The inspector talked to the childminder and children at suitable times throughout the inspection. n This inspection was prioritised as part of a risk assessment process.

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Inspection activities

19 April 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

19 April 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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