Childminder in Barnet

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

Children's safety is compromised due to breaches to the requirements in relation to safeguarding and risk assessment. The childminder and her assistants have recently attended safeguarding training, however, the childminder does not demonstrate sufficient understanding of the local safeguarding partnership procedures. In addition, the childminder and her assistants fail to identify potential hazards in the environment and when they are pointed out do not address these. This means that children's safety cannot be assured.

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The provision is inadequate

The childminder does not plan a curriculum that reflects the developmental needs of the young children who attend. She shows awareness of the importance of the prime areas of learning from the early years foundation stage, which are particularly important for the learning and development of children under three- years old. For example, children enjoy a painting activity where they are encouraged to strengthen their fine motor skills using paint brushes. However, at times, the childminder focuses on teaching children skills which are not appropriate to their age, such as recognition of letters and numbers. As a result, some children become restless, as they are not developmentally ready for this.

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The provision is inadequate

Despite these weaknesses, children are happy and confident at the childminder's. They develop warm relationships with the childminder and her assistants. They listen to the adults when they remind them how they should behave and follow instructions well. Children love joining in with singing and are gleeful when staff blow bubbles. They jump and giggle as they take turns to catch the bubbles.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is not familiar with the local safeguarding partnership procedures. She does not understand how to proceed should there be an allegation of harm against herself or any adult living or working in her home. This impacts on her ability to swiftly address any concerns. Furthermore, this compromises the safety and welfare of children. n The childminder involves children in making risk assessments for outside. She explains how children help to clear the leaves when it has been windy. However, she does not effectively assess the risks of resources and equipment that children use indoors. For example, wires are hanging within reach of the children, the corner of the television is positioned at child's eye height where they play and battery covers are missing on toys. When these hazards are pointed out to the childminder and her assistant, they do not demonstrate an understanding of the potential risks. Therefore, children's safety cannot be

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need to do better?

assured. n Children enjoy chatting with staff, who respond warmly. Staff model the correct

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need to do better?

23 January 2024 pronunciation of words if children say them incorrectly. For example, when children mispronounce the word yellow while they are painting, the childminder responds with 'you want yellow?'. This supports children's developing language and communication skills. n The childminder has not implemented a well-sequenced curriculum that consistently meets the needs of the children who attend, all of whom are under three-years old. As a result, some activities focus on testing children's phonics, letter and number recognition and are not appropriate for their age and do not support the children's prime areas of learning. n The weaknesses in the curriculum results in the childminder's assistants not always being able to identify what they intend for children to learn from the activities they provide. This impacts on the quality of education. n Sharing is encouraged by staff, and children are thoughtful towards their friends.

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need to do better?

They praise each other and notice when they or their friends are doing well. This helps to support their self-esteem and confidence. n Children are given choices to play in the garden. They enjoy building towers with bricks and taking turns to ride on a see-saw together. The childminder and her assistants position themselves behind children who may not yet have the skills to securely hold on as they move up and down, so they are able to join in with their friends. n The childminder ensures she communicates regularly with parents. She lets them know what their children have done each day. Parents share their children's achievements from home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

There is not an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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Due date

develop a secure understanding of the local safeguarding partnership procedures 23/02/2024

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Due date

ensure risk assessments are effective in identifying potential hazards in the environment and that any hazards are removed promptly 23/02/2024

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Due date

23 January 2024 plan and implement a curriculum which is appropriate for the age of children who attend, particularly in the prime areas of learning 23/02/2024

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Due date

monitor and evaluate assistants' understanding and implementation of the curriculum to swiftly identify weaknesses in practice and raise the quality of education. 23/02/2024

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY360811 Local authority Barnet Inspection number 10304974 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 7 February 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2007 and is located in the London Borough of Barnet. She operates all year round, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, 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 childminder. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises with the childminder. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The childminder's 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 Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

23 January 2024 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

23 January 2024 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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