Childminder in Durham

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

Children's safety is compromised because the childminder has limited knowledge of safeguarding issues. She does not know what procedures to follow should an allegation be made against her or a family member. The childminder's policy does not reflect up-to-date guidance. For instance, it does not contain information about who to contact should she have concerns about a child's welfare. Despite this, children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. She provides a home- from-home environment. The childminder is warm and caring and provides children with the comfort and attention that they need to help them to feel safe and secure. Relationships between the childminder and the children are positive.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

The curriculum is not broad enough to meet children's individual learning needs. At times, planned activities do not provide sufficient challenge for children, which limits the progress that children are able to make. That said, children play well together, sharing and taking turns with an interactive ice-cream cart and small- world animals. They happily invite the childminder into their play. She narrates as children play and introduces words, such as 'cheetah'. This helps to extend children's vocabulary.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder's knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and child protection is weak. She does not have an adequate understanding of what to do in the event of an allegation. Furthermore, she does not have an understanding of the 'Prevent' duty. The childminder's safeguarding policy is ineffective. It does not meet local safeguarding partnership guidance. Therefore, children's safety cannot be assured. n The childminder gathers information from parents about what children can do when they first start at the setting. She carries out some observations and assessments. However, she does not target her teaching to ensure that her interactions with children provide challenge or focus on what they need to learn next. n The childminder is unaware of the requirement to complete the progress check for children aged between two and three years. This means that any gaps in children's learning and development are not identified quickly enough.

p.2

need to do better?

n Despite the childminder recognising weaknesses in her practice, she has not identified any professional development opportunities to help her improve the quality of her teaching. n The childminder supports children's health and well-being well. Children have daily opportunities for outdoor play, and to be active and spend time in the fresh air. They visit local parks and play in the childminder's garden. The childminder offers healthy, balanced and nutritious snacks and encourages parents to bring

p.2

need to do better?

28 April 2023 healthy packed lunches. This supports children to learn about the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices. n Children behave well and are learning to share and take turns. They enjoy taking responsibility as they help tidy away the toys for lunchtime. The childminder offers children praise and encouragement. Children smile with pride at their achievements. n Parents receive daily updates about the children's activities and the progress they make. The childminder shares some information with parents for how they can continue to support their child's learning at home. Parents comment that the childminder is 'caring and thoughtful'. n The childminder regularly collects some of the children from their school and nursery. However, the childminder has not engaged with the other settings. She has not considered how this partnership working will support children's continuity of care, learning and development.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children are developing some independence skills. They learn to put on their coats and place their wellingtons on the correct feet. Children independently select toys and equipment. n The childminder supports children's language skills. For example, she repeats the name of shapes as children select them. She asks age-appropriate questions and gives children plenty of time to respond. As a result, children's listening and speaking skills are developing.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a poor understanding of child protection and safeguarding. She does not understand the procedures to follow should an allegation be made against her or a member of the household. The childminder's safeguarding policy is ineffective and does not include some safeguarding procedures, such as who to contact in the event of a concern or an allegation being made. Furthermore, the childminder does not have a good understanding of how to identify children who are at risk of radicalisation or extremism. This means children's safety and welfare cannot be assured. That said, the childminder can identify some possible indicators of abuse. The premises are secure, the childminder carries out robust risk assessments to make sure her home is safe. The childminder has maintained a first-aid certificate.

p.3

Due date

28 April 2023 improve knowledge and understanding of safeguarding, with particular regard to what to do in the event of an allegation against a member of the household 02/06/2023

p.3

Due date

implement a policy and procedure to safeguard children in line with the guidance and procedures of the local safeguarding partnership 02/06/2023

p.4

Due date

have regard to the 'Prevent duty guidance 2015' 02/06/2023

p.4

Due date

improve the curriculum, so that it provides a challenging and enjoyable experience for each child in all areas of learning and development 02/06/2023

p.4

Due date

improve knowledge and understanding of and implement progress checks for all children aged between two and three years 02/06/2023

p.4

Due date

undertake training and professional development opportunities to improve the quality of teaching and education to a higher level. 02/06/2023

p.4

should:

n develop partnership working with other settings children attend, to support continuity of learning.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY482366 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10285633 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 8 Date of previous inspection 12 October 2017

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2014 and lives in Peterlee. She operates all year round from 7am to 7.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider has had since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector observed interactions between the childminder and children, and spoke with her at appropriate times during the inspection. n Parents shared their views of the setting through written feedback. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about children's learning and development. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, such as first-aid certificates, policies, risk assessments and evidence of suitability checks. n The childminder and inspector completed a joint observation together. n The inspector engaged with the children during the inspection.

p.5

Inspection activities

28 April 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

28 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

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