Childminder in Durham

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 Inadequate

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The provision is inadequate

Although some improvements have been made to the quality of education provided by this childminder, significant concerns about the suitability of the premises have an impact on children's safety and well-being. The childminder fails to identify risks within the rooms used by children, and only takes action to remove these when they are pointed out to her by the inspector. Furthermore, levels of supervision are not always robust enough to ensure that children are safe when eating.

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The provision is inadequate

Children do benefit from the strong attachments they form with the childminder. They receive plenty of cuddles and reassurance, for example when they have just woken up. They behave well and demonstrate good levels of concentration and perseverance as they take part in planned activities and independent play. Babies enjoy exploring different textures during a printing activity. The childminder shows older children how to cut potatoes into different shapes ready for printing. They watch attentively before trying this themselves. The childminder shows them pictures of different shapes and reminds them of their names. This helps to support their mathematical development. However, children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) do not receive consistent support to ensure that they make progress. This is because advice and support from other professionals is not always obtained in a timely enough manner.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

The childminder makes good use of the local area to help children to gain a knowledge and understanding of the world around them. They go on nature walks, visit local museums and they develop their physical skills when they go to the park.

p.2

need to do better?

n The learning environment provided by the childminder is cluttered and untidy. Children have difficulty accessing some resources independently, for example having to stand on books on the floor in order to choose their own stories. There are also a number of choking hazards, such as small plastic toys, coloured beads and small screws, on the floor or on surfaces within children's reach. Children are exposed to risks from falling objects due to trailing electrical wires and toys stacked in boxes on the window ledge. Furthermore, cords from window blinds are within children's reach. These pose a risk of strangulation. n The childminder does not carry out regular checks to ensure that the premises are safe. On the day of inspection, there were hazards including nail varnish remover, a sharp vegetable knife and a screwdriver within children's reach. There was also a sewing kit with a needle left on the sofa. Failure to identify and

p.2

need to do better?

remove risks compromises children's safety. n The childminder has made some improvements to her practice since her last inspection. She has accessed appropriate training. This was focused on

p.2

need to do better?

1 March 2024 supporting her to understand how to design and deliver a curriculum to cover all areas of learning. She describes what she wants children to learn during their time in her care. This includes identifying the knowledge and skills children need to be ready for school. n The childminder plans a range of purposeful activities. She identifies what she wants individual children to gain from these activities. She uses effective questioning to help assess children's understanding and to encourage them to develop their thinking skills. Story time is very popular with the children, and they are encouraged to describe what is happening in stories and to predict what might happen next. n The childminder has identified that some children in her care need additional support to help them to make progress. She uses some effective strategies, especially in relation to promoting their communication and language skills.

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need to do better?

However, she has not consistently ensured that appropriate arrangements are in place for children with SEND. She has not been persistent in following up concerns about children's development with parents and other professionals. Records of areas of concern and how these have been followed up are not maintained. n Children are checked regularly when they are sleeping. The childminder also supervises children as they climb on steps to wash their hands at the kitchen sink. She can describe indicators that children may be at risk of harm and knows how to refer these concerns to other agencies. However, she fails to meet the statutory requirement that children must be within sight and hearing when eating. This is because she lets children go into the living room on their own with their snack while she remains with other children in the kitchen. This compromises children's safety. n The childminder explains how she gathers information from parents about their

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need to do better?

children. She helps children to understand and celebrate each other's differences and similarities. For example, children find out about a range of cultural events. Children's experiences are enhanced as she works with families to find out about events they celebrate at home.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

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

p.3

Due date

ensure that all areas of the premises used for childminding are fit for purpose and suitable for children's care, play and learning 08/03/2024

p.4

Due date

carry out regular checks of the areas used for childminding in order to identify and minimise risks to children's safety 08/03/2024

p.4

Due date

ensure that appropriate records are maintained, with specific regard to liaison with other agencies in relation to children with special educational needs and/or disabilities 08/03/2024

p.4

Due date

ensure that children are within sight and hearing when eating. 08/03/2024

p.4

Due date

ensure that support for children who are not making the expected levels of progress is kept under review, and communication with parents and other professionals is carried out in a timely manner. 22/03/2024

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 2655755 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10317542 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 10 Date of previous inspection 4 October 2023

p.5

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 Saturday, except for 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 an assistant. The childminder provides funded early education places for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

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 The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their early years foundation stage curriculum. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

1 March 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

1 March 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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