Childminder in Worcestershire

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

There are several breaches to the 'Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage' that mean children are put at risk of harm at this childminder's home. Children's safety and welfare are compromised. Risk assessment is not used effectively to identify and minimise risks to children's safety. The childminder and her assistant fail to identify and remove risks from around the home. Children play in areas with trailing wires, and a disused shredder and vitamins are all in reach of children. Even when children trip on the wires, the childminder fails to remove the hazard. Older children, who use the bathroom independently, are exposed to different risks. Unlocked cupboards that are within the reach of children contain nit hairspray and perfumes, and an open tub of nappy cream is left next to the toilet. Despite some of these items being pointed out by the inspector, the childminder does not move them out of the reach of children. This puts children at risk of harm.

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The provision is inadequate

The childminder's knowledge of child protection is poor. She has failed to report safeguarding concerns about children. This has potentially put them at risk of further harm. The childminder does not prioritise essential first-aid training for herself or her assistant. In addition to this, her knowledge of managing medical emergencies is poor. This means that there is no one on site with the required training and knowledge to keep children safe if medical treatment is required. This puts children at risk of harm. The childminder provides some resources for children to play with, but she does not have high enough expectations for their learning. As a result, children do not make the progress they are capable of.

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need to do better?

n The quality of education that children receive is poor. The curriculum is not ambitious enough for them to become well prepared for the next stage in their learning. Younger children spend a lot of time wandering aimlessly around the environment not engaged in purposeful play. Teaching and learning are sparse, and children spend most of their time free playing. n The childminder does not fulfil her role and responsibilities to safeguard children in her care. She does not recognise when a situation could be a child protection concern. The childminder has not shared her concerns about children to local safeguarding partners. She does not keep accurate records of safeguarding information that are easily accessible. n The childminder and her assistant do not use risk assessment rigorously enough to identify and respond to risks to children's safety. They fail to notice risks in the environment. They allow children to use the bathroom unsupervised where

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need to do better?

medications and other unsuitable items can be accessed. Children could ingest chemicals and creams that are left out. This puts them at risk of harm. n The childminder does not ensure that mandatory training is kept up to date.

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need to do better?

29 February 2024 Both the childminder and her assistant's paediatric first-aid training expired several months ago. Despite knowing this, she has not completed this required training. When asked how she would manage a choking child, the childminder gave incorrect advice that could put a child in further danger. This demonstrates that the childminder does not have sufficient knowledge of how she would effectively manage medical emergencies. n The required adult-to-child ratios are not met. The childminder and her assistant exceed the number of children they can care for. Young babies cry and become distressed when the childminder and her assistant struggle to balance auxiliary tasks with meeting their emotional needs. Older children also lack learning and development support as the childminder and her assistant juggle changing nappies, preparing snacks, and settling young babies to sleep. As a result, the

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need to do better?

impact of exceeding the ratios means that children's needs are not met well enough. n The childminder does not have effective procedures in place to ensure that the ongoing suitability of assistants is monitored. Consequently, their suitability to continue to work with children is not known by the childminder. n The childminder encourages older children to be gentle around the young babies. Children behave well and follow instructions. They help to tidy up and wash their hands ready for snack time.

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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

ensure that procedures for risk assessment are effective so that any hazards that pose a risk to children's safety are removed or minimised 25/03/2024

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Due date

ensure that safeguarding policies and procedures are understood, so that signs indicating a child may be at risk of harm are recognised, and concerns are reported in a timely manner 25/03/2024

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Due date

29 February 2024 ensure that at least one person on site has a valid paediatric first-aid certificate 25/03/2024

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Due date

make sure that all required information and records are sufficiently organised and are easily accessible and made available upon request 25/03/2024

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Due date

ensure that the required adult-to-child ratios are maintained so that the individual needs of the children are met 25/03/2024

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Due date

ensure that the ongoing suitability of assistants is monitored to make sure that they remain suitable to work with children. 25/03/2024

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Due date

implement a broad and varied curriculum that is ambitious for every child. 25/03/2024

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY461676 Local authority Worcestershire Inspection number 10334619 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 12 Number of children on roll 22 Date of previous inspection 17 October 2022

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2013 and lives in Worcester. She operates from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 6 and employs two assistants.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. 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 inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder, her assistant and children.

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Inspection activities

29 February 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

29 February 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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