Childminder in Essex

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is inadequate

Children's safety and welfare are not assured because the childminder has not ensured that she is meeting all the legal requirements of her registration. For example, she does not understand the importance of maintaining the required records to ensure the safe and efficient management of her childminding service. This compromises her ability to protect children's safety and well-being.

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The provision is inadequate

Despite this, children appear to develop strong attachments to the childminder. They seek her out for comfort and reassurance when they are tired or upset. Children have access to a range of age-appropriate resources. They enjoy looking at books and concentrate as they carefully open the flaps to look at the pictures behind. Children enjoy singing. They are familiar with the songs and remain engaged as they join in with the actions. However, children are not learning to behave well because the childminder does not make sure they have a clear understanding of her expectations.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children are enthusiastic to play outside in the childminder's garden. They have plenty of opportunities to develop their physical skills. For example, they try hard to balance as they walk along wooden beams. However, the childminder does not consistently plan for children's individual learning needs to help them make the best possible progress.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder does not maintain the required records for each child in her care and ensure these are easily accessible and available. She does not consistently keep a daily record of the names of children being cared for on the premises and their hours of attendance. The childminder has failed to maintain a written record of children's accidents or injuries and any first-aid treatment. Furthermore, she does not always keep an accurate record each time she administers medicine to a child. This compromises her ability to monitor children's safety and welfare. n Partnership with parents is weak. Parents say they have verbal discussions with the childminder and receive messages about their child's experiences. However, parents do not know what their children's next steps in learning are. This is because the childminder does not ensure parents are kept up to date about their child's progress or provide information to give parents the opportunity to support

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need to do better?

children's learning at home. n The childminder has not established effective partnerships with professionals at other settings that children also attend. For example, she does not regularly communicate with other providers to share information about children's development to support their future learning.

p.2

need to do better?

5 December 2022 n The childminder does not help children to learn about expected behaviour or boundaries effectively. For example, when children throw toys or sand, she asks them to stop. She does not support them to understand the consequences of their actions and how they may have an impact on others. Children do not always respond to requests and instructions from the childminder. For example, children persist in jumping on the furniture, despite the childminder telling them to stop. She does not explain to them why or that it could be dangerous. As a result, children are not developing a sense of right and wrong. n The childminder generally supports children's language development. For example, she introduces new words and repeats these for younger children to copy. n Although the childminder plans a balance of free play and adult-led activities, she does not always consider children's individual learning needs. This is

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need to do better?

because she has not obtained sufficient information about each child's development to ensure they benefit from meaningful learning opportunities. In addition, the childminder does not consistently review children's progress to establish the next steps in learning. n Children enjoy adult-led activities. For example, they make salt dough and use cutters to make different shapes. This supports their early writing skills. The childminder encourages children to recall and make links with past experiences. For example, she asked if they could remember making play dough. n The childminder encourages children to develop some independence, such as putting on their own boots and shoes to go outside.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder does not understand all of her responsibilities. She does not maintain accurate documentation, such as accident records, to ensure children's welfare is protected. Nevertheless, the childminder demonstrates a secure understanding of the possible signs and symptoms that would alert her that a child may be at risk of harm. She is confident in her knowledge of the appropriate procedures to follow to record and report any concerns she may have. The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge of safeguarding issues, such as radicalisation and female genital mutilation. The childminder conducts a daily risk assessment of her home to identify and remove any hazards and help minimise risks to children.

p.3

Due date

5 December 2022 maintain the required records for children, to ensure the safe and efficient management of the childminding service 09/01/2023

p.3

Due date

ensure that a daily record of the names of the children being cared for on the premises and their hours of attendance is always maintained 09/01/2023

p.4

Due date

keep an accurate written record of accidents, injuries and any first-aid treatment given to children 09/01/2023

p.4

Due date

keep an accurate written record each time a medicine is administered to a child 09/01/2023

p.4

Due date

ensure parents are kept up to date with their child's progress, and provide information to give parents the opportunity to support children's learning at home 09/01/2023

p.4

Due date

develop effective partnerships with professionals at other settings children attend, to ensure all appropriate information is shared to support children's learning 09/01/2023

p.4

Due date

develop a consistent approach to managing children's behaviour, in order for them to understand and follow behaviour expectations 09/01/2023

p.4

Due date

ensure that an accurate understanding of each child's development is obtained, and use the information to plan experiences that are tailored to meet each child's learning needs. 28/02/2023

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 2596307 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10251403 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 6 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2020 and lives in Colchester. She operates every weekday, except Wednesday, from 7am to 6pm. The childminder works all year round, except for family and bank holidays. The childminder holds a childcare qualification at level 4.

p.5

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 childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure it is safe and suitable. n The childminder joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector looked at a sample of key documentation.

p.5

Inspection activities

5 December 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

5 December 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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