Childminder in Essex

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's safety and well-being are not assured. The childminder does not provide an environment that is safe and suitable for children. This means that children are exposed to undue risks that may compromise their health and safety. The childminder has insufficient knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children. The childminder does not recognise the indicators that a child may be at risk of harm or abuse. She is unaware of the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child's welfare.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children do not receive a high-quality education due to weaknesses in the childminder's knowledge and skills. She is unable to implement a curriculum that is focused on children's needs and next steps in learning. Activities provided do not motivate children to learn. They are mainly adult-led and lack purpose and challenge. The childminder is polite and kind towards the children, but her interactions do not support their critical-thinking or communication skills.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Despite this, children appear confident and happy in the childminder's care. They are polite and play alongside each other, sharing their experiences. They talk to one another about the pictures they are colouring. They are keen to talk to visitors about their play and share their knowledge. For example, they explain that they are colouring pictures of rare birds.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder has recently completed relevant safeguarding training. However, her knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and child protection is poor. She does not demonstrate an understanding of her role as the designated safeguarding lead. This places children at risk of harm. n The childminder does not identify and minimise all hazards in the environment to ensure children are fully protected. For example, children visit the bathroom alone, and open cleaning products are within reach. In addition, there is a used animal litter tray outside the bathroom door that the children can access. Therefore, children's health and welfare cannot be assured. n The childminder does not have a secure understanding of how children develop and learn. The childminder does not provide a curriculum that is suitably challenging or ambitious. She does not build on what the children already know and what they need to learn next. This means that opportunities to extend

p.2

need to do better?

learning are missed. n Activities are overly adult-led, which limits children's exploration, creativity and challenge. For example, when engaging in a block play activity, the children are handed blocks and told where to place them to make a car garage. During a sticking activity, children are directed where on their paper to stick the feathers.

p.2

need to do better?

27 January 2023 Although children engage in these activities, their learning is not promoted effectively. n Interactions are poor and do not support children's communication and language development. The childminder engages children in simple conversations. However, she does not challenge children's thinking or introduce new vocabulary, as she only uses simple statements and questions that require one- word answers. n Children generally behave well and play together cooperatively. However, at times, when they become disinterested in an activity, the childminder prevents them from moving on to a new activity. For example, children who have had enough of a dancing activity are told they cannot go and play elsewhere, as they must carry on dancing. This results in children displaying unwanted behaviour. The childminder does not recognise the link between the child's disinterest in the activity and their displayed behaviours.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children are encouraged to wash their hands before eating and wipe their own noses, putting the tissues in the bin. However, the childminder does not encourage the children to wash their hands after they have finished. In addition, she does not wash her own hands after helping children with hygiene tasks. This does not promote positive attitudes towards hygiene practices or prevent cross- infection. n The childminder does not evaluate her provision. She has not considered or identified professional opportunities to help her improve the care and education she provides, to further benefit the children. n Parents share positive feedback about the childminder. She keeps them informed about their children's day. However, she does not recognise the importance of sharing ideas or information with parents, to continue children's learning at home.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder does not have a robust knowledge of the procedures to follow if she has a concern about a child in her care. She does not have a secure knowledge of the types and signs of abuse. She has poor knowledge of her responsibility to protect children from radicalisation or female genital mutilation. The environment is not appropriately risk assessed. Cleaning products are stored, with their lids off, where the children can easily reach them unsupervised. Dirty cat litter trays are left where the children have unsupervised access.

p.3

Due date

update knowledge of all safeguarding matters, including the risks to children from radicalisation and female genital mutilation 17/02/2023

p.4

Due date

take steps to minimise all hazards in the environment 17/02/2023

p.4

Due date

improve knowledge and understanding of learning and development requirements to aid you in implementing an ambitious curriculum that consistently excites, stimulates and challenges children 17/02/2023

p.4

Due date

ensure children's good health is promoted, with specific regard to taking necessary steps to prevent the spread of infection 17/02/2023

p.4

Due date

undertake relevant professional development opportunities to enhance the quality of the learning experiences for children and address weaknesses in the provision. 17/02/2023

p.4

should:

n provide opportunities for children to carry out activities in their own way, to promote their creativity and independence n improve the quality of interactions, particularly to support children's thinking and communication skills n ensure developmental progress and ideas for home learning are shared with parents.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY414617 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10275609 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 4 Date of previous inspection 10 April 2018

p.5

Information about this early years setting

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

p.5

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 provider. n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children. n The childminder and inspector discussed how the curriculum is implemented and the impact that this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

p.5

Inspection activities

27 January 2023 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

27 January 2023 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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