Childminder in North Northamptonshire

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. The premises are not secure and uninvited visitors are able to gain entry without being challenged. Risk assessments are not effective at minimising risks to children. For example, they do not identify the risks from broken toys and dog faeces in the garden that children walk through. During the day, children are not taught about the importance of good hygiene as the childminder and assistants fail to wipe all children's faces and hands after playing outside. Children do not learn and understand daily routines as the childminder does not set clear expectations for them. Children spend much of their time wandering around the environment without purpose.

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The provision is inadequate

Children are not supported by the childminder and assistants to communicate and share resources with others. Therefore, they frequently struggle to resolve conflicts over toys and become unhappy and frustrated. Children's learning is not supported through opportunities that are well planned. The childminder and assistants are not clear what they want children to learn, and do not make sure that activities build on what children already know and can do. Therefore, children lose focus during activities. The quality of the childminder's and assistants' interactions are inconsistent. Children are not supported to develop vital skills during activities. For example, young babies sit for long periods of time without any interaction from adults. However, at times, the assistant speaks with older children, asking them questions about an ant they have found. She encourages them to describe the ant, and supports them to sing songs about animals. Overall, children are happy when

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The provision is inadequate

they arrive and the childminder greets them with a smile. Children ask adults for help when they need it.

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need to do better?

n The childminder and her assistants do not clearly understand what children know and can do. Although they observe children throughout the day, they do not monitor effectively children's progress. The childminder and assistants do not find out what opportunities children get at home, or identify potential gaps in learning and experiences. n The childminder gathers information from parents and carers when children first start. However, this information is not shared with the assistants and, therefore, they do not know enough about new children to support their care and developmental needs. n The childminder does not complete risk assessments effectively. For example, the procedure for visitors entering the setting does not ensure children's safety. Children use resources that have not been assessed for their safety. For example, children fall inside a stack of tyres in the garden and become stuck. Children are exposed to hazards, such as dog faeces and broken toys.

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need to do better?

28 April 2022 n The childminder does not fully consider children's interests and developmental needs when planning activities. Activities do not engage children as they are either too complex or not challenging enough. Children practise moving porridge oats around a tray with spoons. However, their attention soon wanders as there is no purpose to the activity. Older children are not supported to extend their understanding of mathematics and quantities. Younger children are not exposed to key words and simple instructions. They quickly lose focus and wander round the poorly organised environment. n The childminder's and assistants' interactions do not consistently motivate children to engage in chosen play. Learning that takes place is mostly incidental. For example, younger children play on equipment in the garden in silence, alongside other children, and do not hear any new vocabulary. However, at times the childminder does develop older children's spoken language while

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need to do better?

playing with dolls. They discuss what babies need to eat and drink to stay healthy, and how to change their nappies carefully. n The childminder and assistants do not support children to do things for themselves or understand the importance of care routines. Children go outside without putting their shoes and coats on in cold weather, as the childminder does not support them to understand how to dress appropriately. n The childminder does not help children manage or explain their own feelings. She is not always alert to, and does not appropriately deal with, poor behaviour. Therefore, when children disagree about sharing a resource, they become distressed and show unwanted behaviours, such as shouting and pushing each other. n The childminder does not give enough attention to improving the quality of education and interactions. She identifies areas that the assistants need to improve, but does not provide support or training to raise the standards of

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need to do better?

teaching and education. The childminder does not ensure that the environment supports the opportunities she wants children to have, such as the opportunity to role play and develop their imagination. n The childminder makes sure Disclosure and Barring Service checks are carried out for those individuals who either work directly with children or live on her premises. However, her records are disorganised. On the day of inspection, she could not locate references or identification checks which she used to determine the suitability of her assistants. Therefore, the childminder cannot demonstrate that she efficiently gathers and maintains required information about all staff working with children. n Overall, parents are happy with the service provided by the childminder and her assistants. They comment that they enjoy being sent pictures of what children are doing throughout the day. Parents explain that communication about

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need to do better?

development and care needs could be improved.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder and assistants do not ensure that risk assessments are effective at

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Safeguarding

28 April 2022 identifying and minimising risks to children. The premises are not secure and the procedures in place to safeguard children from unidentified visitors are not effective. Children are exposed to potential hazards, such as the risk of illness from dog faeces. The childminder cannot effectively check the ongoing suitability of staff working with children as she does not effectively obtain, record, and share information about staff, including their suitability checks. The childminder and assistants can identify the signs and symptoms of abuse. They know the procedures they must follow if they have a concern about a child in their care.

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Due date

support everyone working with the children to undertake appropriate training and professional development opportunities that raise the quality of teaching 18/05/2022

p.4

Due date

provide appropriately challenging and engaging opportunities for children, focusing on gaps in learning and experiences, and have clear intentions to build on what children know and can do 18/05/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure that children are supported to manage and explain their feelings 18/05/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure children's good health is prioritised and steps are taken to ensure good hygiene 18/05/2022

p.4

Due date

assess risks consistently and take all appropriate steps to reduce potential hazards to adults and children 18/05/2022

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Due date

ensure that the premises are safe and secure, so that unauthorised individuals cannot gain entry 18/05/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure relevant information about staff and children is obtained, stored, and shared appropriately 18/05/2022

p.4

Due date

28 April 2022 improve the arrangements for using information shared between parents and carers, ensuring children's care and developmental needs are met consistently between the setting and home from when they first start 18/05/2022

p.4

Due date

organise the areas used by children more effectively to ensure all children have the opportunity to make choices in their play and learn knowledge and skills across all the areas of learning set out in the early years foundation stage. 18/05/2022

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2553624 Local authority North Northamptonshire Inspection number 10219457 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 9 Number of children on roll 12 Date of previous inspection 17 December 2021

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2020 and lives in Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire. She operates for 51 weeks of the year from 7am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder and one of her assistants hold early years qualifications at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The childminder and inspector observed and evaluated an activity. n The inspector observed the childminder, assistants, and children of all ages throughout the environment. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder and assistants regularly during the inspection. n Parents' and carers' views were taken into consideration. n A sample of documents were reviewed, including paediatric first-aid certificates, suitability checks, and safeguarding policies and procedures. n The childminder and inspector conducted a learning walk together, discussing the learning intention for children and how the environment is arranged.

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Inspection activities

28 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

28 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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