Childminder in Hertfordshire

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

The childminder is not meeting several requirements of her registration. She has not informed Ofsted of significant information that may have an impact on her registration. The childminder does not supervise children at all times. Children, including babies, frequently access the toys that belong to the childminder's dog. They handle toys, which have been in the dog's mouth, and the childminder does not take swift action to remove the toys to prevent cross-contamination. This has a negative impact on children's safety, health and well-being.

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The provision is inadequate

The childminder knows children's likes and dislikes. She uses this information to plan some experiences that support children to make steady progress in their learning. For example, she provides 'tummy time' for babies who are not yet crawling, to encourage them to develop the skills they need to begin to move independently.

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The provision is inadequate

The childminder provides children with language-focused activities to support their speaking skills. She reads with them, narrating as they play, to develop their vocabulary. Together, they chat about the things that the children have been doing at the weekend, such as who went to see Father Christmas. Generally, children behave well. They show their understanding of some of the childminder's rules. However, she does not teach children how to keep themselves safe when they are playing or how to manage their personal care.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has failed to provide the necessary information to Ofsted, relating to her suitability. She has also failed to follow procedures and report an allegation made against herself in a timely manner. n The childminder has not taken action to risk assess the contact that children have with her dog, despite an incident taking place where her dog scratched a child's face. While the childminder reports that the scratch was minor, she has not taken sufficient steps to prevent any future incident. Additionally, she does not record all accidents to children in her care or use the information to assess any emerging pattern of risk. n The childminder does not supervise children at all times to ensure their safety and does not recognise the potential risk to them of this poor supervision. She allows young children to play in a separate building in her garden, while she remains in the house. The childminder has not identified significant hazards in

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need to do better?

this building. This includes a rocking chair in which children could trap their fingers and a shelving unit of a height children could climb. n The childminder does not undertake sufficient professional development opportunities to keep up to date with all the requirements of the 'Statutory

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need to do better?

13 December 2023 framework for the early years foundation stage'. For example, she is unaware of the requirement to place children down to sleep safely in line with the latest government safety guidance. n The childminder does not act as an effective role model to help children learn about good hygiene practice and how this contributes to their health. For example, she does not wash her hands after changing nappies, or between changing nappies and preparing the children's snack. The childminder does not teach children about the consequences of eating food that has been dropped on the floor. n The childminder provides opportunities for children's learning throughout the day. She encourages children to develop their understanding of the world on trips to parks and local areas. The childminder helps them to explore the natural world around them. n The childminder provides children with access interesting fiction and non-fiction

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need to do better?

books, including those with recognisable characters. Children point out things that they recognise in 'The big book of words'. They use the relevant word to share things that they can see with visitors. n The childminder seeks regular feedback from the parents of children that she cares for. She shares information about the range of activities that she provides and the developmental progress that children make.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has not followed local procedures for the management of allegations. She has not taken timely action to share relevant information to enable Ofsted to assure that all adults working with children are suitable for their roles. However, she does have some knowledge of signs and symptoms to enable her to recognise when children may be at risk of abuse and/or neglect.

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Due date

implement a policy, that is in line with the procedures of the local safeguarding partners, to follow in the event of an allegation being made against any household member 16/01/2024

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Due date

13 December 2023 supervise children to ensure their safety at all times 16/01/2024

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Due date

carry out a robust risk assessment to identify areas of potential hazard and take action to remove or minimise the hazard 16/01/2024

p.4

Due date

improve knowledge and understanding of the requirement to notify Ofsted of any significant information that may affect the registration or the suitability of anyone connected with the registration 16/01/2024

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Due date

undertake relevant professional development opportunities to ensure that all the requirements of the registration are understood and met at all times 16/01/2024

p.4

Due date

take all necessary steps to promote children's good health, this includes implementing appropriate hygiene procedures to protect them from cross- contamination 16/01/2024

p.4

Due date

ensure that all accidents to children are recorded. 16/01/2024

p.4

Due date

improve the programme for personal, social and emotional development so that children learn about how to keep themselves safe and well, including how effective hygiene procedures contribute to their good health. 24/01/2024

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY538000 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10323913 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection 9 January 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016 and lives in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. She operates from 8am to 6pm on Monday to Thursday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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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 provider. n The inspector viewed areas of the premises used for childminding. n The inspector reviewed some relevant documentation used by the childminder for the running of her setting. n The childminder told the inspector what she wants children to learn. n The inspector observed the childminder's interactions with children and discussed these with the childminder. n The inspector reviewed written feedback from parents and took their views into consideration.

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Inspection activities

13 December 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

13 December 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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