Childminder in Brent

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Inadequate Behaviour and attitudes Inadequate Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is inadequate

The childminder has more children than she is registered to care for. As a result, the quality of education for children is poor and their safety and well-being are compromised. This is because the childminder is unable to meet the needs of so many young children. Children rarely spend time engaging in meaningful activities. When they do spend time sitting together, for example when colouring in pictures, the activities do not match their young age and abilities. Rather than colouring the pictures, children peel the paper off crayons and draw on their hands. They have few colouring materials, meaning that they spend time waiting or take the crayons and pencils from each other. The lack of implementation of a suitable curriculum means children are not benefiting from activities that help them to build on what they already know.

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The provision is inadequate

Children generally appear settled. For example, crying is minimal and they move around the room looking at different toys and equipment. Children make some choices, for example they chose to play with a sit-on toy. However, the popularity of the toy causes children to push each other as they all want to ride on it at the same time. Children do not have the support they need to understand about their behaviour and learn how to act sociably with others.

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need to do better?

n At the inspection, there were five children present under the age of five years old. Four of these children were under the age of two years old. Children at this age require high levels of care and supervision to keep them safe. The childminder was not able to demonstrate that she could meet the level of care children need. For example, young children continually climb through a safety barrier into the kitchen area while the childminder is changing children's nappies. The nappy changing area is at waist height, so when the childminder turns away, there is a risk that children could fall. Therefore, the childminder cannot keep children safe at all times. n The childminder does not carry out effective risk assessments. This is particularly the case when children play in the garden, which is a communal area. The gate cannot be locked and people walk through the area. The childminder has to constantly remove children from trying to open the gate which leads out onto

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need to do better?

the street. During the inspection, the inspector needed to intervene as a young child put a small stone in their mouth, which posed a risk of choking. n The childminder is unable to supervise all children closely. Sleeping arrangements for children do not promote their safety and good hygiene. All children sleep together in one room, in two beds. The childminder does not check on children as they sleep. Young children sit at the table to eat. Although they are within sight and hearing, the childminder does not interact with them

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need to do better?

21 April 2022 as they eat or supervise them closely. This is because she has too many children to care for. n The childminder does not have a curriculum that meets the needs of the young children who she cares for. Although she can discuss how she could support children's learning, she does not put this into practice. The childminder knows that young children acquire speech through being exposed to language and her communication with them. She is aware that songs and rhymes promote children's communication and language skills. However, throughout the inspection, the childminder's only communication was to direct children and give them instruction. n The childminder does not know what is most important for young children to learn. Activities are poorly matched to children's abilities. For example, the childminder explains that she wants children under the age of two to develop a knowledge of letters and numbers before they can talk. Consequently, children

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need to do better?

do not benefit from the activities the childminder provides as they are unsuitable for their age and stage of development. n On the whole, children get along well together. However, when disagreements do break out over toys, the childminder does not give children an explanation of when their behaviour does not meet expectations. For example, when children do not share construction toys, she removes the toys and places them on top of a cupboard rather than explaining to children how to share and take turns. Consequently, children do not learn about sharing and taking turns to build on their personal, social and emotional development. n Despite the numerous weaknesses, the childminder recognises that she needs to improve. She is starting to take steps to recruit an assistant to work with her. Children show that they trust the childminder and have a close bond with her. They cuddle up with her when they need reassurance and comfort.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Due to the childminder being unable to supervise children adequately, carry out effective risks assessments and keep children safe in her care, children are at risk of harm in the setting. However, the childminder does understand about her role in identifying children who might demonstrate the signs and symptoms of abuse. She understands that she needs to refer any concerns about children's welfare to the local safeguarding children partners. The childminder understands how to recruit any assistants safely, for example making sure that all checks are in place before they start work.

p.3

Due date

carry out effective risk assessments to ensure that children's ongoing safety is met at all times, especially when they play in the garden 05/05/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure that children are adequately supervised, including checking them when they sleep and monitoring them closely while they eat 05/05/2022

p.4

Due date

maintain safe adult-to-child ratios at all times to ensure that children's needs are met and children are kept safe 05/05/2022

p.4

Due date

manage children's behaviour effectively so that they learn about expectations for behaviour, including having support to share and take turns 05/05/2022

p.4

Due date

devise and implement a curriculum for children that meets their individual needs and stage of development and supports their ongoing progress 05/05/2022

p.4

Due date

focus on the prime areas of learning for young children to ensure they enjoy activities that are well matched to their abilities and they develop their communication and language skills. 05/05/2022

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 2630598 Local authority Milton Keynes Inspection number 10237745 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

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 6 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2021 and lives in Oxley Park. She operates all year round, from 6am to 10pm, seven days a week, including bank holidays. The childminder provides free funded early education for children aged 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 discussed the curriculum and observed it in practice, including observing activities indoors and outdoors. The inspector assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n A joint observation was carried out with the childminder. n The inspector talked to the childminder and children at suitable times throughout the inspection. n Written feedback from parents was reviewed.

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Inspection activities

21 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

21 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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