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

p.1

The provision is inadequate

Children are cared for in an outbuilding in the garden. The childminder has not considered potential fire hazards, putting children at risk of significant harm. For example, the childminder uses a bottled-gas heater, surrounded by a fire guard. However, she does not risk assess it to ensure that it is used safely. Additional heating, directly where children play, is a significant burn risk to children. 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

Some children bring packed lunches, and others have a cooked meal. This is provided by the co-childminder, who cooks meals in the main house and brings them across to the outbuilding. Meals are served from the kitchenette in the outbuilding. 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 that is stored in drink dispensers.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children are exposed to risk of injury, as the environment is cluttered. Resources are stacked around the room, and children do not have space to move around freely or safely. 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, she joins a younger child in the role-play area and hides a doll under a blanket. They play peekaboo together.

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. n Children have very little natural light, as the windows on one side of the room are very small. In addition, the blinds are drawn on the window above the sectioned-off 'toilet area'. The childminder explained that this is to 'try and conserve heat'. Despite the use of heaters, the temperature of the room is not warm enough for children to be comfortable. The childminder told the inspector that they 'layer up' and wear coats when it is very cold. n The childminder 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 the ability to identify and manage risks. At this inspection, a plug-in, oil-filled

p.2

need to do better?

radiator was used as additional heating. This was placed where children play and was very hot, risking children being burned. The childminder had not considered this to be a hazard, although she did turn it off immediately when the risk was pointed out to her.

p.2

need to do better?

12 December 2022 n Children do not have space to play freely. For example, when a child tries to push a soft toy around in a doll's buggy, there is no space to do so. The child becomes frustrated, removes the toy from the buggy and throws it across the room. Despite this, children do learn about what is acceptable behaviour. Overall, they play well together and develop friendships with their peers. n The childminder does not ensure that she is meeting food hygiene regulations. She does not ensure that surfaces are wiped before use. The childminder pushes glue pots and other resources that have been used during the morning to one side on the work surface so that there is space to serve food. n The childminder talks confidently about the children in her care. She knows where they are in their learning and what she needs to do to support their continuing progress. The childminder plans activities with her co-childminder to

p.2

need to do better?

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 Children enjoy the childminder's interactions with them. The childminder builds close emotional bonds with them. She engages with children and chats with them as they play, providing a running commentary about what they are doing. During these times, she maintains children's interests and introduces vocabulary such as 'traffic lights' as they build a roadway together. n The childminder demonstrates that she keeps parents informed about their children's day and learning.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Children are exposed to numerous hazards in the premises, and the childminder does not have a good enough understanding of how to keep them safe. Despite this, she is aware of child protection. She has completed training in safeguarding and is aware of the indicators of abuse. The childminder knows how to report concerns and is aware of wider safeguarding issues. She understands her responsibility to recognise and support families and children who may be at risk of extreme behaviours or views.

p.3

Due date

12 December 2022 take 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 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 EY494612 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 10266691 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 25 January 2018

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Carlton Colville, Suffolk. She works with an assistant and co-childminder. The provision operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 6. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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 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 childminder. n The inspector checked evidence of the suitability of all household members and qualifications of the childminder.

p.6

Inspection activities

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

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.

p.6

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.7

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.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7