Childminder in Buckinghamshire

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

p.1

The provision is inadequate

Significant breaches of requirements compromise children's safety and well-being. They are at risk due to the childminder's weak safeguarding knowledge and understanding of procedures. Additionally, risk assessments are ineffective. This exposes children to hazards within the childminder's home. Consequently, children receive care in an unsafe and insecure environment. Furthermore, children's good health is not promoted well as hygiene practices are not effective.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

The childminder does not understand how to plan and support children's learning effectively. They do not benefit from an appropriate early years curriculum. The childminder does not maintain the required documentation to ensure she is able to meet the needs of all children.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Despite these weaknesses, children are happy and settled. They benefit from a close caring relationship with the childminder. They are independent, engage well and concentrate for considerable amounts of time. Children play enthusiastically with wooden trucks and toys that make sounds. This supports their understanding of cause and effect. Overall, children behave well. On occasion, the childminder offers reminders of expected behaviours, such as not to climb on furniture and throw toys. However, the learning for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is not well supported. The childminder has a poor understanding of how to seek effective help, to ensure children make the best possible progress.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder does not maintain an up-to-date knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures. She does not know the process to follow in relation to concerns about children or allegations made against herself or members of her household. Additionally, she has not reviewed her safeguarding policy in line with recent changes to legislation. This poses a risk of harm to children. n On occasion, the childminder choses to leave children in the care of unvetted adults. She does not ensure relevant checks are in place to confirm their suitability. This is a breach of requirements and places children at potential risk from those whose suitability is not assured. n The childminder does not give good enough consideration to ensuring that children in her care are not exposed to hazards. She does not manage risks effectively. For example, there are tools and chemicals in an area children use to select toys and resources. Additionally, the office area in the living room is

p.2

need to do better?

accessible to children with adult scissors and a paper shredder in reach. Consequently, the environment where the childminder cares for children is not safe or secure. This compromises children's safety.

p.2

need to do better?

26 May 2022 n The childminder does not maintain documentation effectively for the safe management of the setting and care of the children. She does not record personal information about them, including details of those with parental responsibility. Furthermore, her written procedure for handling complaints does not meet requirements. The childminder's paperwork is not easily accessible and she is not able to provide all required documents for inspection. n The childminder's own hygiene procedures present a risk of cross-infection to children. For example, she allows her cats to sleep on a children's wooden table, which they then choose to play at. In addition, she does not encourage children to wash their hands before eating or ensure surfaces are clean. This does not promote children's good health. n The quality of education is weak. The childminder has a poor understanding of the learning and development requirements, especially in relation to the areas of

p.2

need to do better?

learning. As a result, she has not been able to develop an appropriate early years curriculum to build on what children know and can do. The childminder does not have effective knowledge of caring for children with SEND. Consequently, she is unable to put arrangements in place to support these children precisely or seek help from other professionals. This hinders their learning and progress. n The childminder works in partnership with parents to support potty training. She ensures children receive a healthy and balanced diet. The childminder and her husband, who very occasionally acts as her assistant, hold valid first-aid certificates. n Parents appreciate the flexibility the childminder provides and talk favourably about outings offered to children. Parents comment that they receive regular verbal feedback on their children's well-being and progress.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The lack of effective risk assessments places children at risk of harm. The childminder does not maintain an up-to-date safeguarding policy which is in line with the guidance and procedures of local safeguarding partners. Her knowledge and understanding of the processes to follow if she has a concern about a child is weak. This also applies to allegations being made about her or a household member. This does not safeguard children. However, the childminder is able to effectively identify possible signs and symptoms of abuse, including wider safeguarding aspects.

p.3

Due date

implement a safeguarding policy and procedure which is in line with the guidance and procedures of the local safeguarding partnership to ensure that children are effectively safeguarded 10/06/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure you have a secure knowledge and understanding of the referral processes for a child concern or in the event of an allegation being made against yourself or household members 10/06/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure adults whose suitability has not been checked are not allowed unsupervised contact with children being cared for 10/06/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure risk assessments are effective and all risks and hazards to children's safety are identified, removed, or minimised 10/06/2022

p.4

Due date

take effective steps to ensure that all areas of the premises and equipment are fit for purpose, and suitable for the age of children cared for 10/06/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure good hygiene and cleanliness procedures are followed at all times to promote children's good health 10/06/2022

p.4

Due date

improve and update knowledge and understanding of how to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities 10/06/2022

p.4

Due date

maintain the following information for each child in your care: full name; date of birth; name and address of every parent and/or carer who is known to the provider, information about any other person who has parental responsibility for the child; which parent(s) and/or carer(s) the child normally lives with and emergency contact details for parents and/or carers 10/06/2022

p.4

Due date

26 May 2022 maintain an effective written procedure for dealing with concerns and complaints from parents and/or carers, that meets requirements 10/06/2022

p.4

Due date

develop further knowledge of the early years foundation stage requirements, especially in relation to the educational programmes 10/06/2022

p.5

Due date

develop a curriculum that is ambitious, sequenced and meets the individual needs of children and provides them with appropriate learning experiences. 10/06/2022

p.5

Setting details

Unique reference number EY453176 Local authority Buckinghamshire Inspection number 10232607 Type of provision Childminder

p.6

Registers

Early Years Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.6

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 3 Date of previous inspection 14 February 2017

p.6

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2013. She lives in Aylesbury, in Buckinghamshire. She cares for children from 6.30am to 7.30pm daily and offers overnight care. She works throughout the year, with the exception of family and bank holidays. The childminder holds a childcare qualification at level 3. The childminder occasionally works alongside her husband, who is her assistant.

p.6

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 have taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received from the provider. 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 with the childminder about the leadership and management of the setting. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

p.6

Inspection activities

26 May 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.

p.6

Inspection activities

26 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.

p.7

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.8

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8