Parkin, Melanie

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

p.1

The provision is inadequate

Children's safety and welfare are compromised on occasions. The childminder occasionally leaves sleeping children unattended in her vehicle on the drive outside her house. Even though she reads to other children in the hallway during these times, she is unable to see or hear children left in the vehicle. In addition, cleaning materials are accessible to children in the kitchen, and cables in the living room also pose a safety hazard. The home and rear garden are also not sufficiently maintained to be free from clutter. However, children do not access the rear garden. The childminder takes children on daily outings to promote their large physical development.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Despite safety concerns, children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They have a strong bond with the childminder and make friends at the setting. Children show excitement to go and collect other children. They help and support toddlers to climb onto soft-play equipment by holding their hands. Children are well behaved and have a positive attitude towards learning. They are excited to play and join in. The childminder encourages children to negotiate, take turns and respect each other's views, for example when they are deciding how to design and build an obstacle course together.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children are making progress in their development across all areas of learning and the childminder ensures that they have opportunities to be involved in a wide range of activities and outings. The childminder knows the children in her care well. However, learning is not always sharply focused enough to consistently build on what children already know and can do. For example, children who are already skilled at drinking from a cup without a lid are given cups with lids when they do not need them. n Children have opportunities for understanding the world with daily visits and outings within the local and wider community. Children explain that they like to visit the park and story time sessions. They also have regular opportunities for choosing and leading their own play. This promotes children's confidence and social skills. n Children's physical development and concentration are promoted well when they

p.2

need to do better?

balance bean bags on different parts of their bodies, and when they participate in a construction activity. They concentrate for extended periods of time while building, and the activity also helps to develop their mathematical skills. Children count how many building pieces they have and how many they will need. They also talk about their buildings being bigger, smaller or taller, and recognise 'cube' shapes. Children also have opportunities for problem-solving, such as how to change shapes and to ensure they include windows in their buildings. Children

p.2

need to do better?

4 July 2023 make links to what they already know, and recognise that they also sing a song about pointing at windows. n The childminder encourages children to think about how they can do things differently, for example to check it is safe before knocking down the towers they build. Children also learn to respect the resources and play environment; they happily help to tidy away when they have finished playing with some items. n The childminder promotes children's listening skills. Children concentrate to differentiate between different sounds when playing musical instruments. They also enjoy singing songs and rhymes with the childminder. n Children are given choices about what they would like to eat, from a selection of healthy meals and snacks. Mealtimes are relaxed and sociable occasions where children talk about what they like to eat at home and also about upcoming events, such as a family holiday. This helps to promote children's social,

p.2

need to do better?

language and communication skills. However, although children are encouraged to wash their hands before eating, they are not always reminded to do this after using the toilet. This does not help to consistently promote children's good health. n The childminder has a positive attitude towards continuous professional development. Since the last inspection, she has completed training regarding promoting children's healthy eating and has also renewed her paediatric first-aid qualification. n The childminder keeps parents updated about their child's development and progress through regular discussions. Parents were not present during the inspection but were invited to send their comments and views about the provision.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder does not ensure that children are always within her sight or hearing, which compromises their safety and welfare. There are also some potential hazards within the home which have not been evaluated effectively or removed. However, the childminder demonstrates a good knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures should she have any concerns about a child's welfare. She demonstrates that she would be able to identify signs of possible abuse and neglect at the earliest opportunity, and knows how to respond in a timely and appropriate way. However, the childminder has failed to notify Ofsted about changes to people living in the household, which is a requirement of her registration.

p.3

Due date

consistently promote children's safety and welfare by ensuring they are within sight or hearing at all times 14/07/2023

p.4

Due date

take all reasonable steps to ensure children are not exposed to risks, and demonstrate how risks are managed in relation to accessibility of cleaning materials and unsecured cables. 14/07/2023

p.4

should:

n strengthen curriculum planning to ensure that learning is focused more closely, and resources are more appropriate, to build on what children already know and can do n promote hygiene procedures by ensuring that the home is well maintained and also encourage children to wash their hands after going to the toilet.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY559673 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10300773 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 6 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection 22 January 2020

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2018 and lives in Chester-Le-Street, County Durham. She operates Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6.30pm all year round, and is also available to work on Saturdays and later in the day if requested. The childminder does not operate on bank holidays and during family holidays. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 pandemic began. n This inspection was carried out as a result of a risk assessment, following information received about the provider. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises and garden. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about children's learning and development, with a particular focus on communication and language. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while with the childminder. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact that this had on children's learning. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

p.6

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.

p.6

Inspection activities

4 July 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.

p.6

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.7

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7