Childminder in Central Bedfordshire

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

The childminder has failed to address the actions raised at the previous inspection and no improvements have been made. Overall, children do not receive the good quality education to which they are entitled. Children are cared for by adults who have not been vetted by Ofsted. This does not assure children's safety.

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The provision is inadequate

On the whole, adult interactions with children are minimal and do not meet children's learning and developmental needs. Assistants occasionally provide children with a commentary to their play. However, children receive little opportunity to hold meaningful discussions with adults to build on their communication and language skills. The childminder and her assistants frequently busy themselves with tasks, instead of interacting with children and building on their learning. Despite this, children appear happy and settled in the childminder's home. They eagerly join the other children when they arrive at the start of their day. Children become independent and complete tasks for themselves. For instance, they put on their shoes and coats independently before they go outside to play.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has taken on new assistants since the previous inspection. However, she has failed to notify Ofsted about her new assistants, who she is already including in her staff-to-child ratios. Ofsted have not been able to complete the relevant checks to ensure that all adults who work directly with children are suitable for their roles before they start. This does not assure children's safety. Furthermore, the childminder is occasionally working outside of the terms of her registration. For instance, the childminder is working with three assistants for short periods of the day, which is not allowed under her current registration. n Staffing arrangements remain ineffective. The childminder and her assistant are busy meeting the general needs of the high number of young children who attend. This minimises the time that they have available to hold meaningful interactions with children. Additionally, it means that the childminder does not

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need to do better?

have time to support newer assistants. The childminder has not prioritised professional development for herself or her established assistant since the previous inspection. As a result, practice has not improved. n A number of children frequently wander around with little purpose to their play and demonstrate poor levels of engagement or concentration, in particular younger children. For instance, they stand and watch television or push toys up and down the floor with minimal interaction from adults. The childminder and her assistants do little to try to re-engage the children in meaningful play and learning. This has an impact on children's progress.

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need to do better?

22 March 2023 n The childminder knows the children she cares for and speaks confidently about their current stages of development. However, she does not use this knowledge effectively to provide children with tailored learning opportunities. For example, children of various ages and stages all play together with play dough. Adults do not adapt the activity to support each child's individual targets, and children are not challenged in their learning. As a result, children gain little from the activity on offer, and some children quickly lose interest. n Required documents were not available during the inspection. For instance, the childminder was unable to demonstrate that she holds a relevant and current paediatric first-aid qualification. The childminder has not followed her own processes in relation to the induction of new assistants. For instance, she states that she has not yet provided them with written guidance outlining their roles

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need to do better?

and responsibilities within her setting, which is part of her usual induction process. This demonstrates a lack of professional organisation and leadership. n Generally, children behave appropriately for their age and stage of development. Adults remind children to walk when they are indoors, and children quickly respond to the instructions of the childminder and her assistants. However, due to poor deployment of adults, instances where children are unkind to one another sometimes go unnoticed. The childminder does not address children's poor behaviour when other children tell her what has happened. This does not promote children's understanding of how to behave positively towards one another. n The childminder gathers relevant information from parents when children start. However, children do not have opportunities to follow their interests independently due to the poorly arranged learning environment. For instance, a

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need to do better?

number of resources are up on shelves out of children's reach. Children appear keen to access these independently, However, they have to ask if they want something specific. Not all children are able to see what toys are on offer and have no option but to play with the resources the childminder gets out for them. This limits their ability to plan their own learning opportunities or follow their interests readily.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has not prioritised notifying Ofsted about new assistants. This means that the relevant suitability checks have not taken place before assistants work directly with children. Nonetheless, the childminder and her assistants are able to identify the signs of abuse and neglect. The childminder understands the process to follow should she need to raise any concerns regarding children to outside agencies. The childminder and her assistants are aware of the process to follow should they have concerns about their colleagues. The childminder is aware of wider safeguarding concerns, such as being able to identify children who may be at risk of exposure to extreme views or behaviours.

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Due date

provide Ofsted with the required information regarding new assistants so that suitability checks can be completed before they start working directly with children 06/04/2023

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Due date

ensure that assistants receive appropriate induction into their roles and have access to relevant training so that they can provide children with quality learning and developmental experiences 06/04/2023

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Due date

ensure all records are easily accessible and available for inspection 06/04/2023

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Due date

ensure staffing arrangements are effective and enable adults to engage in high-quality interactions to meet children's learning and development needs and support their understanding of positive interactions with one another. 06/04/2023

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Due date

use assessment information effectively to provide children with individually tailored learning experiences that are challenging and engaging and build on what they already know and can do 03/05/2023

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Due date

arrange the learning environment to enable children to access resources independently so that they can make choices for themselves and follow their own interests. 03/05/2023

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY370766 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10259401 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 12 Number of children on roll 21 Date of previous inspection 27 September 2022

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2008 and lives in Houghton Regis. She operates all year round from 7.30am until 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for family holidays and bank holidays. The childminder provides funded early years education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector had a tour of the areas of the premises used for childminding. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder, her assistants and children. She considered the impact of these interactions on children's learning and development. n Parents shared their views of the childminder's provision with the inspector, who took their views into consideration. n The inspector spoke to children and assistants at appropriate times during the inspection.

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Inspection activities

22 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

22 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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