Childminder in Suffolk

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

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The provision is inadequate

Children are not safe in this setting. The childminder has not considered potential fire hazards, putting children at risk of significant harm. During the inspection, the childminder was using a bottled-gas heater, surrounded by a fire guard. She put her coat at the side of the fire, with the sleeve hanging inches from it. Additional heating, directly where children play, is a significant burn risk to them. In addition, the environment is cluttered, exposing children to the risk of injury. Following the inspection, the provider's registration was suspended, as children may be at risk of harm should the provider have continued to operate.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

The childminder cooks children's meals in the main house and serves these from the kitchenette in the outbuilding where children are cared for. However, the work surface in the kitchenette is cluttered and not suitable for serving meals. There is no running water in the building. Children wash their hands in a portable sink with cold water, which is stored in drink dispensers.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Despite these significant weaknesses, children have access to a varied range of toys. They readily choose what they want to play with. The childminder engages with the children and joins in their games. For example, when a child chooses to play with the dolls, the childminder extends the activity to introduce caring for babies.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder has not ensured that she is meeting fire regulations and does not risk assess the premises so that hazards are identified and reduced. As a result, the environment is not fit for purpose or safe for children to play. Despite the use of heaters, the temperature of the room is not warm enough for children to be comfortable. Children do not have space to move around and sometimes become frustrated, such as when there is no space to push a doll's buggy around. n The childminder does not ensure that the learning environment is suitable. She stacks equipment and resources on top of each other, posing a risk of injury to children if these were to topple. The childminder does not show any ability to identify and manage risks. At this inspection, the childminder was using a plug- in, oil-filled radiator as additional heating. This was placed where children play and was very hot, putting children at risk of being burned. The childminder had

p.2

need to do better?

not considered this as a hazard. n The childminder does not ensure that she is meeting food hygiene regulations. Glue pots and other resources that have been used during the morning are pushed to one side on the work surface so that there is space to serve food. The childminder does not wipe this surface before putting food directly on it.

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need to do better?

12 December 2022 n Children do not have space to play comfortably. There is very little natural light, as the windows on one side of the room are very small and obscured by a metal grill. The blinds are drawn on the window above the sectioned-off 'toilet area'. At this inspection, the co-childminder said that this was to try and conserve heat. n The childminder knows where children are in their learning and what she needs to do to support their continuing progress. She plans activities with her co- childminder to build on what children already know and can do. However, older children spend a lot of time playing alone, and the childminder does not ensure that activities offer them sufficient challenge. This does not help all children make the good progress that they are capable of. n The childminder understands her role in preparing children for the next stage of their learning, such as moving on to school. She helps them understand what is

p.2

need to do better?

expected of their behaviour, to consider the needs of others and play harmoniously together. The childminder builds close emotional bonds with the children. Younger children readily go to her for reassurance and to share their play. n The childminder supports children's developing speech and language skills. She engages with children and provides a running commentary about what they are doing. She introduces new vocabulary. For example, when playing with dolls and role-play food with a younger child, the childminder introduces the names of food and crockery items. n The childminder demonstrates secure partnerships with parents. She keeps parents informed about their children's day and learning. The childminder maintains mandatory training, such as paediatric first aid.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder does not have a good enough understanding of her responsibility to keep children in her care safe. Children are exposed to numerous hazards in the premises. Despite this, the childminder is aware of her duty in relation to child protection. She is aware of the indicators of abuse and knows how to report concerns. The childminder has completed child protection training to ensure that she is aware of local procedures for reporting and managing concerns.

p.3

Due date

12 December 2022 take any necessary steps to ensure that fire safety regulations are met 03/01/2023

p.3

Due date

organise the premises to meet the needs of the children and ensure that they are able to play safely, with regard to the risk of stacked resources toppling and general clutter 03/01/2023

p.4

Due date

ensure that children are not exposed to the risk of burns from unprotected heating sources 03/01/2023

p.4

Due date

carry out full risk assessments for the whole of the premises to identify potential hazards and the action taken to limit risks 03/01/2023

p.4

Due date

ensure that the premises is fit for purpose, with appropriate heating, natural daylight and space for children to move around freely. 03/01/2023

p.4

Due date

improve teaching skills to ensure that all children are fully included and engaged 31/01/2023

p.4

Due date

ensure that all children receive consistently good-quality learning experiences that motivate them to play, listen and learn. 31/01/2023

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY496573 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 10266692 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 17 Date of previous inspection 14 February 2018

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015. She works with a co-childminder. The childminder operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides 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 provider. n We carried out this inspection as a result of the risk assessment process, following information we received about this provider. n The childminder talked to the inspector, to explain how the early years curriculum is organised. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this had on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with the childminder at appropriate times throughout the inspection. She observed an activity and jointly evaluated this with the co- childminder. n The inspector checked evidence of the suitability of all household members and qualifications of the childminder.

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Inspection activities

12 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

12 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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