Dando, Louisa

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 and welfare are not given enough priority. The childminder has not notified Ofsted of changes to her circumstances. She has not informed Ofsted of all assistants working on the premises so that the relevant checks can be completed. This does not help to protect children from adults whose suitability has not been cleared. Children are not kept safe on the premises because the childminder fails to take action to minimise identified risks. The childminder does not understand how to comply with indoor space requirements. The premises are cluttered with resources, and children do not benefit from adequate space in which to play and learn.

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The provision is inadequate

The quality of education is inadequate. The childminder does not provide children with suitably challenging experiences that help to develop their knowledge and skills. For example, some of the younger, quieter children sit for long periods of time on their own with a toy without any adult interaction. The childminder does not implement her plans for the curriculum consistently or children's learning targets in her practice effectively. As a result, children do not make good levels of progress.

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The provision is inadequate

Children generally behave well. They are supported by the childminder and her assistant to be kind and friendly, and most can share and take turns. Children build their independence skills, such as feeding themselves at mealtimes. They express their needs, and most are able to use the toilet and wash their hands.

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need to do better?

n The childminder does not make sure that all statutory requirements are continually met, despite previous compliance actions being raised. This does not protect children's safety and welfare or support their learning effectively. n The childminder has not informed Ofsted about all assistants working with her so that checks can be completed to confirm their suitability to work with children. This was an action raised previously. Therefore, the childminder's ability to meet and sustain her legal responsibilities is poor. She has not notified Ofsted of changes to her circumstances. n The premises and equipment are not organised in a way that helps to meet the indoor space requirements and every child's individual needs. This means that although she abides by adult-to-child ratio, at times, there are too many children present to fit comfortably in the space available. There is very little floor space available for children due to the clutter of equipment and resources. This does

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need to do better?

not enable children to play safely in their environment. This was an action raised at a previous visit and demonstrates that the childminder's capacity to improve is weak.

p.2

need to do better?

18 October 2022 n The childminder states that she completes risk assessments to help ensure that the premises remain safe and suitable for children. However, she does not put these consistently into practice. Consequently, there are areas within the home that children have access to where they are exposed to potential hazards. For example, there are too many resources stored around the perimeter of the lounge. This means that some of the resources become a tripping hazard and children are not able to access toys in a safe way. Compliance action has been raised previously to address this breach, which shows that the childminder does not understand her role and responsibilities. n The childminder has some understanding of how children learn and sometimes, her interactions with them are positive. For example, when looking at pictures of squirrels and pumpkins, the childminder encourages younger children to count

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need to do better?

up to five and she introduces simple concepts, such as 'big' and 'small'. However, she does not know how to provide a curriculum that helps all children to develop the key skills that they need for future learning. Activities lack breadth and challenge and do not offer the children the opportunities they need to build on their skills and knowledge. This does not help them to reach their full potential. n The childminder completes the required progress checks when children are aged between two and three years. However, she does not make good use of these to clearly evaluate children's progress and plan for the next steps in their learning. As a result, children often occupy themselves with the toys available, rather than enjoying well-planned activities that extend their learning. n Parents speak kindly of the childminder. They share that their children are happy to attend. The childminder gathers relevant details from parents when children

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need to do better?

first start. This includes information about children's daily routines and what they like to play with. Parents are given feedback on collection to keep them informed about their children's day. n The childminder has paid insufficient regard to her professional development. She does not fully understand the requirements of the 'Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage'. The childminder ensures that she completes mandatory training, such as safeguarding and paediatric first aid. However, she does not focus her ongoing professional development to help her understand her statutory responsibilities and raise the quality of children's education to a good level. n Children gain an understanding of healthy lifestyles and have sufficient opportunities to develop their physical development. For example, children enjoy going on nature walks as they learn about the changing seasons.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The weaknesses in the childminder's leadership and management mean that children are not safeguarded. The childminder does not make sure that Ofsted are aware of all adults working on the premises. The organisation of the premises compromises children's safety. The premises are not consistently safe and risk

p.3

Safeguarding

18 October 2022 assessments are poor. However, the childminder and her assistant know the signs of abuse and the procedures to follow should they have a concern about a child's welfare. The childminder understands her responsibilities to refer to other agencies, where required. Records are in place and ready for inspection.

p.3

Due date

improve knowledge and understanding of changes that must be notified to Ofsted, including those working at the premises 26/10/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure that the premises and equipment are organised in a way to meet the indoor space requirements and the needs of all children 26/10/2022

p.4

Due date

take action to ensure that there is sufficient, suitable overall floor space available for children 26/10/2022

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Due date

take action to improve risk assessment to ensure that all possible hazards to children are identified and minimised to keep them safe. 26/10/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure a written summary of children's progress is completed between the ages of two and three years and shared with parents 01/12/2022

p.4

Due date

implement a curriculum that challenges children's learning and enables them to build on their skills and knowledge 01/12/2022

p.4

Due date

18 October 2022 focus professional development opportunities more effectively to identify and address areas of weakness, to drive improvements, and raise the quality of education and practice to a consistently good level. 01/12/2022

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY418188 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10243380 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 12 Number of children on roll 10 Date of previous inspection 3 May 2022

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2011 and lives in Basildon. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with two assistants.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documents on request. n The childminder and the inspector discussed the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n Children shared their views with the inspector.

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Inspection activities

18 October 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

18 October 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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