Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

p.1

The provision is inadequate

Children's well-being and safety are not assured because neither the childminder nor her co-childminder have a secure enough knowledge and understanding of safeguarding matters. They have not attended mandatory safeguarding training. Despite this, adults are appropriately deployed and children are well supervised as they explore the rich learning environment, both inside and outside.

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The provision is inadequate

Children and babies are settled. They respond positively to the childminder's friendly, yet calm and reassuring approach. Very young children's individual routines from home are followed. Nappy changing is dealt with sensitively before children are gently settled to sleep, in the provided sleep room. All children understand how to behave because the childminder is a positive role model and has clear expectations for behaviour. Even children's small achievements are recognised and praised with words such as 'good job'.

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The provision is inadequate

All children spend large amounts of time playing and exploring outside in the very well-resourced play area. They scoop and sieve the dry sand in the sand tray and play imaginatively as they pick petals and leaves and make these into 'flower soap' at the water tray. Children work cooperatively together as they decide to wash and dry their pedal car, before 'driving off' on their next adventure, around the garden.

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need to do better?

n The childminder works closely with another childminder each day. They also employ assistants to work with the children. Safeguarding is not given priority. While new assistants receive an induction, this induction does not cover child protection procedures in enough detail. In addition, assistants do not receive effective regular supervision, in order to help them to continually improve and raise the quality of teaching to a higher level. n The childminder gathers a range of information about the children before they start. The childminder uses this to plan activities that capture children's interests. She makes regular observations of what children know and can do. She completes assessments, including a progress check on children when they are aged between two and three years. n Delays in children's development are quickly identified. The childminder works closely with parents and other professionals. She has recently completed speech

p.2

need to do better?

and language training in order to ensure that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported to make the best possible progress. n The childminder conducts effective risk assessments to ensure the premises are safe for children to play. She holds a valid paediatric first-aid certificate. She knows how to deal with accidents and injuries to children and maintains accurate records. Children are encouraged to take safe risks. They know how to

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need to do better?

19 May 2022 safely climb up the steep steps of the slide, before sliding down on their tummies. They are taught how to keep safe as they learn to safely handle scissors before having a go at snipping at the long grass. They use their 'harvest' to feed the resident pet rabbit, knowing that they need to be careful not to poke their fingers into the run. n The childminder provides ongoing commentary about what the children are doing. She asks questions for them to respond to, giving them time to think and to practise their speaking skills. The childminder reads favourite stories to the children, with animation. She uses actions and a change of tone of her voice to bring the story alive. This captures the children's interest and they copy her, roaring back with vigour. The childminder introduces new words, explaining that roaring makes the character's voice sore and 'hoarse'. n Children enjoy healthy snacks and meals, which are cooked and prepared for

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need to do better?

them. They are encouraged to try new foods and learn about table manners, remembering to say 'please' and 'thank you'. Older children practise using cutlery and even the youngest children have a go at feeding themselves with a spoon. n The childminder works hard to build partnerships with parents. She provides parents with daily verbal feedback, backed up by written message books. During national restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the childminder continued to support families. She involves parents and keeps them informed about their children's learning through written learning journals, which are shared on a regular basis.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has not attended mandatory child protection training. The childminder is not sufficiently aware of the child protection procedures to follow should there be concerns about the well-being of a child or an allegation made against an adult working with the children. The childminder does not have a secure enough knowledge of safeguarding matters. Assistants, who are employed to work with the childminder, have not been sufficiently trained in child protection procedures. That said, the childminder can recognise possible signs and symptoms of abuse. Safe recruitment practices are followed and all those living or working on the premises obtain a valid Disclosure and Barring Service check.

p.3

Due date

19 May 2022 ensure that procedures to safeguard children are in line with guidance set out by the relevant local safeguarding partnership and that clear procedures are in place and understood, including the action to be taken when there are safeguarding concerns about a child and in the event of an allegation being made against an adult working with the children 24/06/2022

p.3

Due date

attend an appropriate child protection training course in order to be able to identify, understand and respond appropriately to possible signs of abuse and neglect 24/06/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure assistants have an up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding issues and that they are suitably trained to understand safeguarding procedures 24/06/2022

p.4

Due date

put appropriate arrangements in place for the supervision of assistants who have contact with children and their families, and ensure that supervision includes support, coaching and training for the assistants and fosters a culture of continuous improvement. 24/06/2022

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY500506 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10236785 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 17 Date of previous inspection 23 January 2017

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016. She works with a co-childminder, from the co- childminder's home, in Doddington, Cambridgeshire. The provision is open all year round, from Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm, except for bank holidays. The childminder also works with assistants. She holds a level 3 qualification. The childminder offers funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder 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 childminder. n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The inspector viewed the premises, inside and out, and established how the childminder keeps children safe. n The childminder explained how she organises her setting and plans the curriculum and experiences for children. n The inspector observed the childminder, her co-childminder and the assistant interacting with the children and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with the childminder, her co-childminder and the assistant at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector and the childminder reflected on a learning experience for the

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Inspection activities

children. n The childminder shared a sample of documents with the inspector, which included accident records and evidence of the suitability of adults working with the children.

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Inspection activities

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 May 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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