Childminder in Hertfordshire

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

The childminder has a lack of knowledge and understanding of the procedures that help to protect children. This compromises the well-being and safety of children in her care and her ability to deliver the best possible outcomes for them. The childminder has a poor understanding of how to deliver an effective curriculum. The lack of clear intentions for children's learning and poor planning means they do not receive the level of education to which they are entitled. This hinders the progress children make. The childminder does not interact with children in a way that encourages them to think or share their ideas. As a result, children are not suitably challenged.

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The provision is inadequate

That said, children listen to the childminder sing songs in English and French. They welcome her reassuring and gentle taps on their back to help them to fall asleep. Children move around the home and make independent choices of what they would like to play with. They enjoy exploring how different toy vehicles move as they push them backwards and forwards on the floor. Children talk about their actions as they paint. They practise the pronunciation of some words as the childminder repeats these correctly. Children display friendly and respectful relationships. They say 'well done' as they proudly show each other their paintings.

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need to do better?

n The childminder does not demonstrate a positive attitude to improving the provision she offers. She has not addressed the actions raised at her previous inspection. This means the childminder does not provide a good early years experience for the children in her care. n The childminder does not have a suitable knowledge of the safeguarding procedures to follow if she has a concern about a child's welfare. This means that the childminder is unable to report concerns she has about children to the correct external agencies in a timely manner. In addition, the childminder does not know when it is appropriate to share concerns about some aspects of abuse with parents. This means children's welfare is not assured. n The childminder is not aware of the correct procedure to follow should she receive an allegation against herself or any other member of the household. She does not check the identity of visitors to her home while she is caring for

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need to do better?

children. This compromises children's safety. Furthermore, the childminder has not ensured that the required information has been submitted to Ofsted regarding the Disclosure and Barring Service check for the proposed assistant. n The childminder gathers some useful information from parents to help her to understand how to meet their children's routine and care needs. However, she does not gather information about what children know and can do when they first start attending, to help her to understand what children need to learn next.

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need to do better?

17 March 2023 The childminder regularly sends parents photos of children participating in activities via an online app. Parents say they appreciate the support their children receive from the childminder to manage their personal needs. They comment how their children enjoy the different activities she provides. n The childminder does not develop her professional skills or knowledge. She does not link the gaps in her knowledge and understanding of how to promote children's learning to appropriate training opportunities. She does not encourage children to build on their existing knowledge and has a poor understanding of how this supports children's development. As a result, curriculum planning is poor, and activities are not well matched to children's developmental needs to support their learning. n The childminder lacks understanding about how to plan and implement a suitably challenging and sequenced curriculum to help children to build on what

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need to do better?

they know and can do. She does not have a system in place to monitor children's learning. The childminder says she wants children to be happy. Beyond this, she does not plan well enough to demonstrate how she will support and extend children's learning to gain the skills they need to be ready for school. n Children benefit from healthy, nutritious meals cooked by the childminder. However, she does not provide children with enough support to feed themselves to develop their independence and ability to do things for themselves. n Regular visits to organised groups enable children to mix with larger groups of children to support their social skills. They learn to share and take turns with toys. Outings to local parks and use of the childminder's garden provide children with fresh air and support for their physical skills. The childminder takes children to outdoor swimming pools in the summer months to develop their confidence in

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has failed to supply Ofsted with the necessary information in order for suitability checks to be carried out on a proposed assistant. The childminder has a poor knowledge of safeguarding procedures. She does not know the correct agencies to which she must report safeguarding concerns about a child's welfare or should she receive an allegation against herself or a household member. The childminder does not update her safeguarding training. She is not aware that discussing some aspects of abuse with a child's parent is not appropriate and may put them at further risk. Despite this, she can describe some signs and symptoms of possible child abuse. She keeps children within sight and hearing and regularly monitors them as they sleep.

p.3

Due date

provide Ofsted with the required information to enable all suitability checks to be completed, including the Disclosure and Barring Service check for any proposed assistants 14/04/2023

p.4

Due date

improve knowledge of when and with whom it is appropriate to discuss safeguarding concerns about children 14/04/2023

p.4

Due date

implement an effective safeguarding policy that includes the procedure to report any concerns about a child 14/04/2023

p.4

Due date

implement a procedure that includes the steps to be taken for reporting any allegations of serious harm or abuse by any person living or working at the premises, whether the allegations relate to harm or abuse committed on the premises or elsewhere 14/04/2023

p.4

Due date

ensure that the identity of any visitor to the setting is checked and verified 14/04/2023

p.4

Due date

improve partnerships with parents, with particular regard to gaining and sharing information about what children know and can do when they initially start 14/04/2023

p.4

Due date

ensure that appropriate professional development opportunities are undertaken to improve knowledge and understanding of how to provide a well- designed curriculum for children. 14/04/2023

p.4

Due date

17 March 2023 implement a curriculum that delivers challenging and enjoyable experiences for each child, focusing on what they need to learn next to secure their good progress. 14/04/2023

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 149299 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10247692 Type of provision Childminder

p.6

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection 22 June 2022

p.6

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2000 and lives in Stevenage. She operates from 8am until 5pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

p.6

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 childminder. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the childminder. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the childminder's first-aid certificate. n The inspector spoke to children during the inspection. She took account of the views of parents through the written feedback provided.

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Inspection activities

17 March 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

17 March 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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