Childminder in Essex

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Met

p.1

The provision is inadequate

The childminder and her assistants do not know the process to follow if an allegation was made about any adult living or working on the childminding premises. This compromises children's safety.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children are happy and relaxed in this setting. They are cared for in a home-from- home environment. There are high expectations for every child to make the best possible progress. Children form secure bonds with their key persons, who know them well and plan appropriate next steps to assist children in making good progress from their starting points.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children readily make their wishes known and are confident to seek support when they need it. The childminder and her assistants are responsive to their needs. Children receive praise and encouragement, which helps to ensure their emotional well-being.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children enjoy spending time in the vast outdoor area. They enjoy visiting the horse, chickens and ducks that live at the setting. Children excitedly collect eggs from the duck house. They know to leave one egg behind and the reason why. This helps them to learn about nature and the world around them. When indoors, children are free to choose from the available toys and resources. During a painting activity, they explore the different marks they can make using sponges, brushes and their fingers. Children proudly show off their creations.

p.2

need to do better?

n Following actions previously raised by Ofsted, the childminder has made positive changes to ensure children are safe while they are sleeping. She has risk assessed the arrangements for sleeping effectively and ensures children are always supervised. n Stories and songs are used to promote children's communication skills. They enjoy joining in with action rhymes and suggest songs they could sing with their friends. Children develop a love of books and spend time looking at them, both independently and with the childminder and her assistants. Story times are interactive, and the children are encouraged to talk about the pictures. Children snuggle up to the assistants as they read to them. n The childminder supports children's language effectively. They express their wants and needs by using words and expressions. She listens carefully and repeats and extends what the children are saying. This helps children to develop

p.2

need to do better?

their communication skills. n The childminder and her assistants help children to develop an understanding of counting and mathematical concepts. For example, they talk about buckets

p.2

need to do better?

27 February 2023 being heavy when filled with sand. When children play, they provide commentary, modelling counting and naming shapes. n The childminder supports children to be independent. She encourages them to feed themselves at mealtimes and move to open-top cups as appropriate. Children put on their own wellies when they go into the garden. Children are proud of their achievements and share these with their friends. n Children generally behave well. On occasions, they struggle to share resources. The childminder and her assistants manage this well and offer suggestions to help children resolve their issues. However, they do not always provide suitable explanations to support children to develop a deeper understanding of the rules and boundaries. For instance, they remind children not to throw toys without explaining to them why this could be dangerous. n The childminder and her assistants encourage some children to wash their hands

p.2

need to do better?

before some mealtimes, but not others. They do not wash their hands after wiping children's noses. This means practice is not consistent to help children understand about the importance of good hygiene routines. n Partnerships with parents are strong. The childminder understands the importance of effective partnership working with parents and the positive impact this has on children's well-being and learning. Parents report that their children have made steady progress in their development since starting at the setting. They comment that their children are happy and settle well. A range of methods is used to communicate with parents about their child's day and progress. n The childminder encourages her assistants to complete regular training courses and attend development meetings to continually improve the quality of learning provided for the children. The assistants report that they feel supported by the

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistants have attended training and there is a safeguarding policy in place. However, they do not know the procedures to follow in the event of an allegation being made about adults living or working on the premises. This means children's welfare is not assured. The childminder and her assistants know the procedures to follow if they have a concern about a child's well-being. She discusses safeguarding with her assistants during supervision and staff meetings. They are aware of issues such as female genital mutilation and county lines.

p.3

Due date

27 February 2023 improve knowledge of the procedures to follow in the event of an allegation been made against any adult living or working on the premises. 13/03/2023

p.3

should:

n help children to develop a deeper understanding of the rules and expectations at the setting n put in place consistent hygiene routines to help children understand the importance of how this contributes to their good health.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 149484 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10281471 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 9 Number of children on roll 11 Date of previous inspection 8 December 2017

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1997 and lives in Saffron Walden, Essex. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with up to two assistants. She holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3.

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 and the inspector discussed how the early years provision is organised, including the aims and rationale for their curriculum. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to the assistants at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the childminder with the inspector.

p.5

Inspection activities

27 February 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

27 February 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.

p.6

Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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