Childminder in Hertfordshire

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 do not receive a good-quality education. The childminder has failed to improve her teaching skills since the last inspection. Additionally, she chooses to extend the number of early years children she cares for at any one time. However, she is unable to demonstrate how she meets their needs effectively. The childminder's interactions with children fail to progress or build on their learning and development. Older children do not receive challenging enough interactions to progress their learning further. For example, the childminder frequently asks all children what colour blocks they are using. This question is not appropriate for babies and lacks meaning for them. It is too easy for older children who can identify different colours already. Older children argue over the toys and struggle to share the resources. The childminder fails to manage this effectively for children who are at the stage of learning to understand the consequences of their actions.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

The childminder is kind to the children, who begin to form secure attachments with her. They seek comfort from the childminder and gradually become settled and more confident in her care. Babies sit, watching older children play, and sometimes explore the toys. The childminder sometimes follows children's interests and praises them when they answer questions correctly. However, the childminder's responses to the babbling sounds that babies make are minimal. Babies use walkers to develop their walking skills, and the childminder encourages them to feed themselves. This promotes young children's physical coordination.

p.2

need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, the childminder has made insufficient improvements to raise the quality of care and education she provides for children. While she has attended some courses, she has not developed enough knowledge to meet the requirements. For example, she has improved her knowledge of some safeguarding matters, but identifies that she needs to improve her knowledge of children's development. Furthermore, the childminder does not plan and provide a curriculum that supports children to make good progress in their learning. n The childminder frequently cares for more than three children under the age of five years. She spends time on routines, which are time consuming. For example, children wait until everyone has finished eating, meaning that babies are strapped into chairs for long periods of time. Children receive limited meaningful interactions, and their learning experiences are minimal during this

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need to do better?

time. If children need their nappy changing, they all wait in the bathroom area. n The childminder does not help children to understand the consequences of their behaviour or what is expected of them. For example, when older children argue, the childminder tells them to share but gives no explanation about how to do this. Furthermore, the childminder frequently uses the word 'naughty' to

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need to do better?

1 November 2022 describe children's behaviour. This means younger children are exposed to negative language, and the childminder does not help children to understand what they need to do. n The childminder does not support children's health consistently well enough. Children have squash, pudding pots and sweet bread for meals. Furthermore, on the day of the inspection, the childminder did not sanitise the changing mat after the pet cat and shoes had been on it. This means there is a risk of cross- contamination to children. n The childminder fails to display her certificate of registration. This is a legal requirement. n The childminder knows that children have made progress in their learning. This includes knowing that parents say their children can now put their shoes on. However, she fails to have a good overall understanding of children's development in all areas of learning and how to support them further.

p.2

need to do better?

n Parents are satisfied with the service the childminder provides. They tell the inspector that their children are happy to attend. The childminder promotes some partnership working and shares information with staff at the nursery that children attend.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder cannot identify the signs that a child might be at risk of female genital mutilation. Despite this, the childminder has developed some of her safeguarding knowledge. She can identify other signs and symptoms of abuse sufficiently and has an awareness of the 'Prevent' duty guidance. The childminder also knows where to go if she has a concern about a child or if an allegation has been made against herself or a household member.

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Due date

ensure you have a secure understanding of the signs and symptoms of female genital mutilation 21/11/2022

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Due date

ensure that the needs of all children are met, particularly when choosing to care for an increased number of early years children 21/11/2022

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Due date

1 November 2022 improve children's good health by working with parents to ensure children receive a healthy, balanced diet 21/11/2022

p.3

Due date

ensure nappy changing procedures promote good hygiene practice, to support children's good health 21/11/2022

p.4

Due date

manage children's behaviour in a way that is appropriate to their age and stage development 21/11/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure the certificate of registration is displayed. 21/11/2022

p.4

Due date

improve the quality of teaching to ensure all children receive consistently meaningful and challenging learning experiences, including effectively promoting children's language and communication development 19/12/2022

p.4

Due date

assess children's learning and provide a challenging curriculum experience that meets their learning needs so they can make good progress. 19/12/2022

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY411398 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10247485 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection 21 June 2022

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2010 and lives in Stevenage. She operates all year round, from 7.30am until 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector and the childminder held a discussion to understand how the early years provision and curriculum are organised. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the childminder and evaluated this. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of all persons living in the premises. n The inspector considered the views of parents by speaking to them at the inspection and reading written references.

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Inspection activities

1 November 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

1 November 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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