Dando, Louisa

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 make sufficient progress since the last inspection to ensure that children's safety and well-being is effectively promoted. She demonstrates weak knowledge of the procedures to follow if she has concerns about any of the children in her care, including where developmental delays have been identified. The childminder has ineffective recruitment procedures in place. This means she does not ensure assistants provide Ofsted with the required information to complete appropriate suitability checks. Children are left in the care of assistants who have not completed any training and do not hold a paediatric first-aid certificate. The childminder does not have adequate arrangements for the supervision, coaching and monitoring of her assistants. Therefore, she is unable to assess their knowledge of their roles and responsibilities and build on the quality of teaching and interactions with children.

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The provision is inadequate

Children are provided with limited opportunities to participate in a rich curriculum. The childminder and her assistants do not focus their attention on improving their knowledge of how children learn, for example through effective professional development opportunities. They do not plan a range of challenging experiences that help children to make the best progress and develop key skills required to become independent learners. Despite this, children are settled and content in the childminder's care. They approach her for a cuddle and engage in conversations, recalling trips and outings with her. Children are generally well behaved and understand the childminder's expectations. She reminds them to say 'please' and 'thank you' and to show kindness towards each other.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has made some progress since her last inspection in relation to organising the available space within her home more effectively. She now cares for less children, especially very young children. The childminder has improved her procedures for checking the premises for hazards before the children attend each day. Where potential hazards remain, such as the pet litter trays in children's reach, the childminder or her assistants escort the children. While this arrangement means that children are supervised around such hazards, it inhibits their ability to develop independence with regards to personal care. Toys and resources are now presented in clearly labelled storage boxes that are easily accessible. n The childminder lacks an effective understanding of her responsibilities with regards to ensuring that those who have regular contact with children are suitable. She has notified Ofsted of new assistants who work with her, but the

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need to do better?

information has not been shared in a timely manner. Required documentation has not been submitted for these checks to be completed. As a result, assistants

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need to do better?

17 April 2023 who have worked with the childminder for over six months are still not cleared as suitable with Ofsted. In addition, the childminder regularly leaves children in the early years age group with assistants who do not hold a full and current paediatric first-aid certificate. This does not ensure children's safety. n The childminder does not have effective arrangements for the supervision of her assistants who work directly with children. She does not provide them with support or coaching and does not monitor their practice or interactions with children effectively. n The childminder uses a number of tools to track and monitor children's progress. However, she does not take consistently effective action where she identifies gaps in children's development. This means that some children are not well prepared for their next stage of learning, such as school. n The childminder and her assistants take children on trips and outings in the local

p.2

need to do better?

area. They provide some opportunities for children to gain purposeful experiences. However, too much emphasis is placed on children's formal learning, such as teaching them to write their own names. The childminder's curriculum lacks appropriate challenge for children to learn basic skills, such as independence and effective speech and language. n Following the last inspection, the childminder provided parents with the opportunity to comment on her childminding provision by way of a questionnaire. Parents who responded state that they are happy with the childminder's care of their children. They value her flexible approach and have no concerns about her pets being around their children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistants do not demonstrate secure knowledge of their responsibilities with regards to safeguarding children. The childminder does not act on identified concerns in a timely manner to safeguard children. She does not keep an accurate record of any action taken to share information with appropriate agencies. There are no systems in place for ensuring that assistants complete relevant safeguarding training or to monitor their understanding where training has been completed.

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Due date

17 April 2023 improve knowledge and understanding of safeguarding matters to ensure any issues or concerns in children's lives are responded to appropriately and in a timely manner 03/05/2023

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Due date

train all staff to understand the safeguarding policy and procedures and ensure that they have up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding 03/05/2023

p.4

Due date

put in place appropriate arrangements for the supervision of staff to provide support, coaching and training to help staff to improve their practice 03/05/2023

p.4

Due date

ensure that people looking after children are suitable to fulfil their role 03/05/2023

p.4

Due date

ensure that all assistants who might be in sole charge of the children for any period of time hold a full and current paediatric first-aid certificate 03/05/2023

p.4

Due date

focus professional development opportunities more effectively to identify and address areas of weakness, to drive improvements and raise the quality of education and practice to a consistently good level 03/05/2023

p.4

Due date

maintain records and obtain and share information with other professionals to help ensure that the needs of all children are met. 03/05/2023

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY418188 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10262059 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 12 Number of children on roll 13 Date of previous inspection 18 October 2022

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2011 and lives in Basildon. She operates all year round, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with two assistants.

p.5

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 viewed all areas of the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The childminder and the inspector discussed the curriculum and intentions for children's learning. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while with the childminder. 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 The childminder and inspector discussed an observation of practice and the impact that this had on children's learning. n The children provided the inspector with written testimonials from parents, which the inspector took into account. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on

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Inspection activities

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 April 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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