Gregory, Laura Jane

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

p.1

The provision is inadequate

Weaknesses in the childminder's safeguarding knowledge mean that children's safety is compromised. As the designated safeguarding lead (DSL), the childminder does not ensure that she and her assistants implement and follow effective safeguarding policy and procedures. This is a breach of requirements under the 'Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage'.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children appear happy and engage well with the childminder and her assistants. However, they are not cared for by adults who know their precise next steps in learning and their individual medical, health and dietary needs. This impacts on their health and safety, as well as the development and progress they make. Children do not benefit from care routines that promote their personal development. For example, the childminder does not organise children's nappy and potty training areas to offer them the independence and privacy they require to support their physical and emotional development.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

The childminder and assistants are kind to children. Young children behave well and show care and consideration to one another. Adults support children to develop good manners, and these are consistently used by children during their play and care routines. For example, very young children say, 'Can I please have more?' and 'No, thank you', during snack time.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder does not keep her knowledge and understanding of safeguarding relevant and up to date. This means that she does not have the skills to support and advise the assistants with whom she works. This has resulted in breaches to the early years safeguarding and welfare requirements. n The childminder has failed to provide Ofsted with information relating to adults working with children. The childminder does not follow robust systems to ensure the suitability of her assistants during the recruitment process. Currently, the childminder does not have systems in place to regularly update these suitability checks. Assistants are not provided with key information during their induction to ensure that they can meet the healthcare needs and dietary requirements of the children they care for effectively. This does not sufficiently ensure children's safety and well-being. n The childminder does not provide assistants with a consistent level of support,

p.2

need to do better?

coaching and mentoring. The arrangements for their supervision are ineffective. This impacts on them gaining the knowledge and skills to fulfil their roles and responsibilities. For example, assistants who identify and request further training and development to help them understand the early years foundation stage do not receive this support.

p.2

need to do better?

5 October 2023 n The childminder does not have a secure understanding of the role of the assistant. She counts assistants in ratio and on occasion leaves children in their sole care without the required parental permission or suitability checks in place. This does not assure children's safety. n Children are provided with lots of opportunities to be physically active and play outside on a daily basis. The childminder extends children's learning with regular visits and trips out to support their understanding of the world. However, the childminder's current risk assessments are not effective. They do not adequately identify hazards in the indoor and outdoor environment. For example, children are permitted to access the childminder's lounge and outdoor area before routine checks have been completed and dangerous household items removed. In addition, the childminder does not consider how to protect children's privacy

p.2

need to do better?

and ensure they maintain their dignity during tasks such as nappy changing. This does not sufficiently ensure children's safety or promote their well-being. n Adults support children to develop a love for stories, songs and books, which helps them to learn new words and language. However, the childminder's curriculum does not adequately support individual children's next steps. The childminder does not share the knowledge she holds about her assessment of children's precise needs with her assistants. This results in children accessing activities and experiences that lack purpose when left in their care. n Parents are keen to share their positive experiences of the care and education that their children receive from the childminder and her assistants. They feel that there are effective systems in place to keep them updated about their children's learning and development. Parents value the open and honest

p.3

need to do better?

communication they have with the childminder. They report that they are confident and feel assured regarding their child's well-being. This demonstrates an effective parent partnership.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Safeguarding knowledge is not secure. The childminder is not aware of the role of the local authority designated officer and her duty to ensure that concerns about staff practice or allegations are reported in a timely manner. This does not adequately ensure children's welfare, as it cannot be assured that adults will follow the correct procedures when they have concerns. In addition, the childminder does not ensure that her assistants are aware of key information necessary to ensure children's good health and safety, such as details of allergies and healthcare needs. The childminder lacks knowledge and understanding regarding the vetting and recruitment procedures that require completing to determine staff suitability.

p.3

Due date

ensure procedures to safeguard children are in line with local safeguarding partnership guidance and include actions to take when there are concerns about a child or in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff or other household member 03/11/2023

p.4

Due date

gain an up-to-date, relevant knowledge as DSL, in order to provide staff with advice and support, as well as to take appropriate action, where required, to respond to signs of possible abuse and neglect 03/11/2023

p.4

Due date

provide Ofsted with information about all adults working with children within the required timeframes to allow for suitability checks to be carried out, and put in place effective systems for recruitment and checks of the ongoing suitability of staff 03/11/2023

p.4

Due date

implement appropriate systems for the supervision of staff 03/11/2023

p.4

Due date

gain a secure understanding of the role of the assistant, including the requirement to obtain parental permission for children to be left in an assistant's sole care and how working with an assistant impacts adult-to-child ratios 03/11/2023

p.4

Due date

implement effective systems for risk assessments to ensure the safety and suitability of the premises, resources and activities. 03/11/2023

p.4

Due date

5 October 2023 gain a secure knowledge and understanding of the 'Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage' requirements in order to provide all children with an ambitious curriculum that meets their needs 03/11/2023

p.4

Due date

review arrangements for the daily routine to support children's right to dignity and privacy during personal care procedures. 03/11/2023

p.5

Setting details

Unique reference number EY381203 Local authority Windsor and Maidenhead Inspection number 10311354 Type of provision Childminder

p.6

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.6

inspection

Total number of places 13 Number of children on roll 10 Date of previous inspection 30 April 2018

p.6

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in February 2009 and lives in Maidenhead, Berkshire. She operates during school term times, from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday. The childminder holds a relevant level 3 qualification in early years and works with two assistants. The childminder provides funded early years education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.6

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provision. n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the childminder. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The childminder and inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their early years foundation stage curriculum. n The childminder and assistants spoke to the inspector during the inspection. 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 inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the

p.7

Inspection activities

childminder. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

p.7

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

5 October 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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