Childminder in Lewisham

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

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The provision is inadequate

The childminder and her assistants do not ensure children's safety. The childminder does not adhere to adult-to-child ratios and cares for too many children. Although she works with assistants, she is unable to meet the needs of the number of children she cares for. Younger children are not getting the support they need during their play. Older children are not in sight and hearing of an adult at times, including when eating.

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The provision is inadequate

The childminder has a positive attitude and is caring. However, she struggles to manage her provision effectively. The curriculum is not sufficiently challenging for all children and they do not have access to a stimulating learning environment. Some children, especially younger children, wander around with no guidance or support from staff. The childminder's inability to identify poor practice has a negative impact on children's learning, especially for younger children. For example, when younger children eat cereals from an activity, staff do not support the children in how to use the activity for learning. This also poses a risk to children's health.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

The childminder's procedures for risk assessment are not effective. During the inspection, it was necessary for the inspector to identify and point out hazards to the childminder to ensure that children were safe. For example, children have access to hot radiators, leaving them exposed to the risk of being burnt. This shows that the childminder and her assistants fail to identify and minimise all risks and hazards swiftly enough.

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need to do better?

n The systems that the childminder has in place to monitor and evaluate her and her assistants' practice are not effective. She is not able to identify poor practice, such as when assistants are not following good hygiene procedures. Additionally, she has not provided her assistants with effective training or coaching that helps develop their practice further. As a result, the assistants, despite receiving some training, show limited understanding of how to excite and engage younger children in learning activities. n The childminder does not adhere to adult-to-child ratios and cares for too many children. This has an impact on the quality of education for all children. Furthermore, children are not supervised effectively to ensure their safety. For example, the childminder and her assistants leave children without adequate supervision while they are eating breakfast. This leaves children at risk of choking without the assistants' or childminder's knowledge.

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need to do better?

n The childminder and her assistants do not implement a curriculum that sufficiently meets the needs of all children. They observe children as they play

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need to do better?

21 February 2024 and know some of their next steps in learning. However, they do not always extend children's knowledge and skills. Children move frequently between the activities available and receive little support on how to use them. The childminder's and her assistants' lack of interaction limits children's development and learning. n Children enjoy circle time, where they sing songs and listen to stories. Younger children learn about animal sounds, and older children are able to talk about how they feel. However, the time for the group activities is too long and loses its purpose, as some children lose interest and start to wander away. n Children enjoy becoming independent. They play happily alongside each other most of the time. Generally, the childminder has clear expectations for children's behaviour. However, some activities are mundane, not meaningful and are not appropriately challenging for children. Children quickly get bored and lose

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need to do better?

interest, displaying unwanted behaviour. Furthermore, when young children try to take resources away from others, the assistants do not use appropriate strategies to support children. Instead, they just say, 'No, thank you', and do not role model how to share. This does not support children's understanding about taking turns and sharing. n Parents are positive about the childminder and the service she provides. They report on the 'family feel' of the setting and the caring nature of the staff. Parents state how happy their children are to attend and that they have good communication with the childminder. For example, they value the childminder's updates when they collect their children, as well as her digital communication.

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 the supervision of assistants is effective in supporting and coaching them to improve their personal effectiveness and promote the interests of children 13/03/2024

p.3

Due date

21 February 2024 ensure that staff are deployed effectively so that children are always within sight and hearing whilst eating 13/03/2024

p.3

Due date

ensure that the required staff:child ratios are met so that children's individual needs and safety are assured 13/03/2024

p.4

Due date

put effective risk assessment procedures in place to ensure children are safe and to identify and eliminate all potential safety hazards to children. 13/03/2024

p.4

Due date

plan and implement challenging experiences based on children's individual needs and interests and ensure assistants know how to support children in their play and focus on what they need to learn next. 03/04/2024

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 2773259 Local authority Lewisham Inspection number 10332062 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 18 Number of children on roll 27 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2023 and lives in Bellingham, in the London Borough of Lewisham. She employs three assistants to work alongside her at various times. The childminder provides care Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm, all year round. She receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged three and four years.

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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 provider. n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their early years curriculum. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder, her assistants and the children and assessed the impact that these were having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder. n Parents shared their views on the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on

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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.

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Inspection activities

21 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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