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 Not applicable

p.1

The provision is inadequate

Safeguarding is not effective. The breaches of the early years foundation stage have a significant impact on children's health and welfare. For example, the area where children's food is prepared is not hygienic. The childminder does not consistently follow good hygiene practices or encourage children to do so. In addition, the childminder lacks knowledge of the local safeguarding partnership procedures. This lack of knowledge could impact on her ability to report concerns about children swiftly to the appropriate agencies. She is also unclear about how to respond to allegations made against herself or a household member. Ofsted have taken enforcement action in relation to these breaches.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Despite this, children show they have secure relationships with the childminder, including those who are new to the setting. Parents say the childminder is very welcoming and she has helped to build their children's confidence. Children's behaviour is positive, and they benefit from the praise given by the childminder.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

The childminder does not use assessments effectively to plan purposeful learning experiences for children. As such, she is unable to identify areas where children may need further support. Children spend the majority of their morning wandering around the playroom or they play alone. The childminder has not completed the progress check when children are aged between two and three years. In addition, she has not considered or sought advice from other professionals when children show difficulty in their communication and language skills. This does not help to prepare children for the next stages in their learning.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder does not provide a challenging curriculum for children to make good progress. Although she is aware of the need to prepare children for the next stages in their learning, she does not implement clear, purposeful plans for this. This does not help children to develop a love or enthusiasm for learning, or build foundations for the future. n Progress made by children is incidental. The childminder does not engage with older children for extended lengths of time and does not teach them through play or planned activities. For example, children play alone and in silence for the majority of the morning. On occasion, the childminder will ask children to share their knowledge of a colour and will attempt to extend their self-chosen imaginative play. Babies spend a lot of time in the high chair with snacks and are not stimulated. n Children are not deeply engaged in any learning. Although they move freely

p.2

need to do better?

around the childminder's home, there are no opportunities for them to develop critical thinking skills or develop new skills. In addition, the playroom spaces

p.2

need to do better?

4 October 2023 used by children are very cluttered and children cannot access resources until the childminder moves things out of the way. n Assessments are not used effectively. Although the childminder has knowledge of what the progress check at two years is used for, she has not completed them or shared them with parents. In addition, the childminder has not established partnership working with other professionals. She has not considered seeking support from other agencies, where there may be potential delay in children's learning. n Food preparation areas are unclean and unhygienic. The kitchen area where babies' bottles, children's food and drinks are prepared, is cluttered with recycling, leftover food, pet food and unwashed laundry. The childminder acknowledges this is unsuitable. This is a breach of the early years foundation stage requirements and has an impact on children's health. n The childminder does not follow good self-care practices or promote healthy

p.2

need to do better?

eating. For example, children do not wash their hands before they eat and have unhealthy snacks, such as jam biscuits. Children are not offered fresh drinking water. The childminder does not wash her hands after she changes babies' nappies or wear any protective clothing to prevent cross-infection. This does not help children to learn about the importance of living a healthy lifestyle and also has an impact on their health. n Despite this, babies show they feel secure with the childminder. She knows when they need their bottle and provides cuddles when they show they are tired. The childminder praises children and encourages them to be kind. For example, she helps older children to share crayons and models good manners. n The childminder has not considered ways to evaluate the setting to ensure requirements are met. As a result, there are several breaches of the early years foundation stage. In addition, the childminder has not accessed any professional

p.3

need to do better?

development to continually improve her skills and knowledge to work with children. This has had a significant impact on the quality of the provision for children.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder does not have a robust understanding of the safeguarding and welfare requirements. This has led to several breaches which have a potential impact on children's health, safety and welfare. The childminder demonstrates knowledge of some of the potential signs and symptoms of abuse and knows how to record these. However, she is unclear on who she will report these concerns too. In addition, the childminder does not have the information or knowledge of the role of the local authority designated officer. This could significantly impact on her ability to report concerns about children swiftly to the relevant agencies or respond timely if an allegation is made against herself or household member.

p.3

Due date

develop her knowledge and understanding of the local safeguarding partnership procedures and implement these into the policy, to ensure any concerns are reported swiftly, including concerns about children and allegations against herself 11/10/2023

p.4

Due date

ensure children's good health is consistently promoted, specifically in regard to the meals children are offered and provide children with fresh drinking water throughout the day 11/10/2023

p.4

Due date

improve the overall hygiene in the setting and ensure there are suitable facilities for the hygienic preparation of food and babies' bottles 11/10/2023

p.4

Due date

develop ways to reflect and evaluate the provision, including areas for professional development, to ensure the requirements are met and improvements are made to raise quality. 11/10/2023

p.4

Due date

improve the curriculum and quality of teaching, to ensure children engage in purposeful learning, which helps them to make good progress 29/11/2023

p.4

Due date

improve children's access to enjoyable activities that help them to play, explore, think critically and practise new skills, and consider the impact of overcrowding resources in areas that children play in 29/11/2023

p.4

Due date

4 October 2023 ensure assessments are completed and used effectively, specifically the progress check at age two to identify areas where children may need further support. 29/11/2023

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 2655755 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10310044 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 6 Number of children on roll 8 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.6

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2021 and lives in the Belmont area of Durham. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder closes for one week at Christmas. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 6. She works with one full time assistant. The childminder provides funded early education places for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.6

Inspection activities

n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n This was the first 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 her evaluation of the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n A joint observation was completed by the childminder and inspector, indoors during children's self-chosen play. n The inspector held a discussion with the childminder in relation to the leadership and management of the setting. She looked at relevant documentation such as evidence of the childminder's suitability to work with children. n The childminder obtained written feedback from parents for the inspection.

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.

p.7

Inspection activities

4 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.

p.7

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.8

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.8

Inspection activities

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

p.8

Inspection activities

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

p.8