Childminder in Harrow

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

Weaknesses in the leadership and poor safeguarding knowledge of the childminder's assistants compromise children's safety. Additionally, weaknesses in the supervision of children and the deployment of the childminder and her assistants, as well as the lack of a daily record of children's attendance, result in children's welfare not being protected.

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The provision is inadequate

Despite this, children settle well and form secure relationships with the childminder and her assistants. They separate easily from their parents and eagerly join in with activities on offer. The childminder speaks to children's parents on arrival. This helps to ensure that the transition between home and the setting is as smooth as possible.

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The provision is inadequate

The childminder designs a broad curriculum based on children's interests and what they need to learn next. However, there are inconsistencies in how well the curriculum is implemented within the setting. On occasions, the childminder and her assistants do not provide children with consistently good quality teaching and interactions. This results in children receiving varied learning opportunities. Consequently, children do not make as much progress as they are capable of.

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The provision is inadequate

Children are clear about expectations for behaviour. They have good manners and are learning to share space and resources successfully with one another.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has failed to ensure that her assistants have a secure knowledge and understanding of safeguarding. They do not know the procedure to follow if they have a concern about a child's welfare or if an allegation is made against their colleagues. This means that children's safety cannot be assured. n The childminder does not fully understand all the requirements relating to the assessment of children's progress. Although she knows how children make progress in their learning, she does not ensure that her assistants are fully aware of children's individual learning needs. Additionally, during inspection, the childminder was not able to evidence that she completes a progress check for all children aged between two and three years. n The childminder has sought some professional development opportunities to enhance her knowledge. However, she does not ensure that her assistants have a sound knowledge of how to keep children safe. Therefore, children's safety

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need to do better?

and welfare are compromised. n The assistants feel supported and comment on work being manageable. However, the childminder's evaluation of their practice is not fully effective. She

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need to do better?

16 March 2023 does not ensure that identified weaknesses in teaching are swiftly addressed. Although assistants attend mandatory training, the childminder does not provide them with effective coaching and support to improve the quality of their teaching. n The childminder helps children to develop an awareness of healthy eating. She ensures that freshly cooked meals are well balanced. Children demonstrate self- care skills as they remember to wash hands before meals. However, due to poor deployment of the childminder and her assistants, children are not always well supervised while eating. This could lead to adults not being able to act swiftly enough if an emergency occurs. n The childminder does not keep required records relating to children's attendance and their hours of arrival and departure. This compromises children's safety. n Children enjoy playing outside. They run, jump and practise riding wheeled toys.

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need to do better?

However, at times, the assistants observe children at play, rather than successfully extending their learning. They do not engage the less confident children in high-quality interactions as much as possible. This leads to some children's learning not being maximised. n All children join in for dancing and singing sessions. They learn action songs and songs to celebrate festivals and special occasions, such as Mother's Day. However, the childminder and her assistants do not always plan and lead activities well, which leads to some children being disappointed and disengaged in their learning. For example, during singing time, the microphone that children used was not working properly, and not all children had a chance to use it. n There is a strong focus on supporting children's fine motor skills. Children strengthen their small muscles while exploring play dough. They regularly practise their mark-making and early writing skills. For example, some children

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need to do better?

learn to write their names. They also learn to use scissors safely. n The childminder works very well with parents. Parents say that they are very happy with the play and learning environment provided by the childminder. Parents appreciate daily updates about their children's day at the childminder's home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

Children are not protected from potential harm. While the childminder has a clear understanding of child protection, her assistants do not. They do not know the correct procedure to follow if they are concerned about a child's welfare or if an allegation is made against their colleague. They are not aware of their responsibility in line with the 'Prevent' duty. The childminder does not consistently ensure that she, or one of her assistants, is always supervising children while eating. Additionally, the lack of accurate record-keeping places children at risk of harm.

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Due date

ensure that assistants have a secure knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures in line with the local safeguarding partnership 14/04/2023

p.4

Due date

ensure that the deployment of the childminder and assistants remains effective at all times, to support all children's learning 14/04/2023

p.4

Due date

ensure that all children are consistently supervised, especially while they are eating 14/04/2023

p.4

Due date

maintain a daily record of the names of children being cared for and their accurate hours of attendance 14/04/2023

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Due date

ensure that a progress check is completed for all children aged between two and three years 14/04/2023

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Due date

improve interactions with the less confident children to ensure their learning is always maximised 14/04/2023

p.4

Due date

provide relevant coaching and mentoring for assistants to raise the quality of education and children's attitudes towards learning to a good level. 14/04/2023

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY431838 Local authority Harrow Inspection number 10281203 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 17 Number of children on roll 23 Date of previous inspection 5 October 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2012. She lives in the London Borough of Harrow. She offers full-time and part-time care each weekday from 7am to 7pm, throughout most of the year. The childminder is eligible to receive funding for free early years education for children aged two, three and four years. She holds a relevant early years qualification and works with assistants.

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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 childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The childminder led the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about what they want children to learn. n Children shared their views with the inspector. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity with the childminder. n Parents shared their views on the childminding provision with the inspector.

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Inspection activities

16 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

16 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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