Childminder in Bedford

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

Children's safety and welfare are compromised. The childminder shows insufficient understanding of her responsibility to meet the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the early years foundation stage. For example, arrangements for monitoring sleeping children are weak. The childminder has failed to implement an appropriate safeguarding policy and cannot explain how she will keep children safe. Neither the childminder or her assistant demonstrates sufficient understanding of the signs and symptoms that could indicate a child is at risk from harm.

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The provision is inadequate

The childminder does not help children to understand how to behave appropriately. She is inconsistent in setting boundaries to ensure children are clear about her expectations. As a result, children do not develop a positive attitude to learning. Nevertheless, children enjoy a range of play and learning opportunities in the childminder's home. They select resources that the childminder provides, based on their individual interests. Children enjoy learning opportunities outside of the home environment. They discuss with visitors the trips to stay-and-play groups as well as local library story sessions. During these group sessions, children engage with others to help develop their social skills. This learning is transferred into the childminder's home environment. For example, some children work as a team to create rainbows out of different coloured chalks.

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need to do better?

n The childminder's current sleep arrangements do not support children's safety. Although the equipment used, such as cots and bedding, meets the needs of children, the childminder does not monitor children when they are sleeping. She does not carry out frequent checks to ensure children are safe. n Safeguarding procedures are weak. The childminder is not able to identify when children may be at risk from abuse and has insufficient knowledge of the correct referral process to follow. In addition, the childminder does not know the procedures to follow in the event of an allegation being made about her or a household member. Although the childminder identifies these weaknesses in her practice, she has failed to address them. This means children's welfare is not assured. n The childminder does not have appropriate arrangements in place to support the practice of her assistant or identify gaps in his knowledge. The childminder does

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need to do better?

not ensure her assistant undertakes appropriate training to improve their understanding of safeguarding. As a result, her assistant demonstrates a poor knowledge of safeguarding issues. This does not support the safety and welfare of children. n The childminder and her assistant do not manage children's behaviour in appropriate ways. On occasion, the childminder speaks to children in a harsh

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need to do better?

1 August 2024 tone when she observes them kicking and throwing toys. She fails to address these situations in an appropriate and considered manner. This does not support children to manage their emotions and understand the impact the resulting behaviours may have on themselves and others. n Children enjoy nutritious home-cooked meals. They sit with their childminder and her assistant and discuss the healthy vegetables that they eat. Children have access to outdoor play opportunities in the secure garden. They enjoy trips to local parks. This supports children to develop some understanding of healthy lifestyles. n Children enjoy the activities the childminder provides and engage well in play. For example, children use chalks to draw characters on the patio. They discuss their features and the 'superpowers' they provide. n The childminder helps prepare children for the new routines they will follow when they go to school. For example, children enjoy sociable mealtimes where

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need to do better?

they feed themselves. Children confidently put their shoes on and manage essential hygiene routines independently. n Children are confident communicators, who enjoy chatting with their friends and adults. The childminder and her assistant support this by using children's interests as topics of conversations. The childminder models good language skills and consistently addresses children's mispronunciations.

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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.

p.3

Due date

establish appropriate procedures to monitor sleeping children to ensure they are safe 23/08/2024

p.3

Due date

implement an effective safeguarding policy in line with local safeguarding partners' guidance and requirements 23/08/2024

p.3

Due date

1 August 2024 improve knowledge and understanding of the safeguarding procedures to follow in the event of an allegation being made 23/08/2024

p.3

Due date

attend child protection training in order to identify, understand and respond appropriately to signs of possible abuse and neglect 23/08/2024

p.4

Due date

provide appropriate support and guidance to assistants ensuring their knowledge remains up to date regarding safeguarding issues 23/08/2024

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Due date

establish appropriate arrangements for the supervision of assistants that supports their practice and promotes the interests of children 23/08/2024

p.4

Due date

ensure children's behaviour is managed in an appropriate way. 23/08/2024

p.4

Due date

improve the programme for personal, social and emotional development to ensure that children learn to manage their emotions and gain an understanding of the impact their behaviour may have on themselves and others. 23/08/2024

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY406530 Local authority Bedford Inspection number 10351624 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 8 Date of previous inspection 2 October 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2010 and lives in Kempston. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with an assistant. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 looked at relevant documents, including evidence of the suitability of all persons living at the premises. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder, her assistant and children during activities. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching to assess the impact on children's learning. n The inspector and childminder completed a joint observation of an activity to assess the quality of teaching. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder and her assistant about the monitoring of learning and development in the setting and tracked the progress of children.

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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

1 August 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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