Childminder in Herefordshire

Summary of outcome

Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills is leading Ofsted's work into how regulated early years and childcare providers in England have delivered child- centred practice and care, within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

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Summary of outcome

All early years providers must meet the legal requirements in the Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage. If we find that a provider is not meeting the requirements, we can take action to ensure they put matters right.

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Summary of outcome

On 16 May 2023, we received concerns that the provider was not meeting some of these requirements. Due to the safeguarding nature of the concerns we immediately suspended the provider's registration because we believed children may be at risk of harm. Suspension allows time for the provider to take steps to reduce or eliminate the risk of harm to children. The provider has a right to appeal against a suspension. The provider may not provide childcare for which registration is required while the suspension is in place and may commit an offence if they do so.

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Summary of outcome

On 13 June 2023, we carried out a regulatory visit while the provider was suspended. We found that the provider was not fully meeting some of the requirements relating to safeguarding.

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Summary of outcome

We have served a welfare requirements notice. This is a legal notice that requires the provider to take the actions below within the timescales set out. The provider will be able to give parents further information about this.

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Summary of outcome

improve the safeguarding culture within the setting to help identify indicators of potential child abuse earlier and ensure safeguarding protocols are followed in a timely way

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Summary of outcome

ensure that if any new information comes to light or any concerns arise about the suitability of an adult working with children these are reported to all relevant agencies promptly and without delay

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Summary of outcome

ensure all assistants have robust safeguarding knowledge, including of the setting child protection and whistleblowing procedures, and they feel comfortable to reports concerns of a safeguarding nature to relevant agencies in a timely way. On 19 June 2023, following our visit to the provider we reviewed the suspension and determined that the immediate risk to children was mitigated so we lifted the suspension. We will monitor the welfare requirements notice through the provider's re-inspection of their current inadequate grade, which is due. Therefore, the provider is still registered with Ofsted.

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Publication of compliance action

We aim to ensure that the welfare of children and young people is protected in the services we regulate. The Childcare Act 2006 and accompanying regulations set out our responsibilities to regulate childminders and childcare providers. This includes the enforcement powers we have in relation to those registered providers who do not comply with the requirements for registration.

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Publication of compliance action

We publish details of any actions we take, or the childminder or childcare provider takes to bring about compliance with requirements on our website for a period of five years.

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Publication of compliance action

For further information please read the Early years compliance handbook which can be found here at www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-provider-non-compliance- action-by-ofsted .

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