Childminder in Durham

Summary of outcome

All early years providers must meet the legal requirements in the Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage, which you can find at www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundationstage-framework--2. If we find that a provider is not meeting the requirements, we can take action to ensure they put matters right.

p.1

Summary of outcome

On 1 March 2024, we carried out an inspection and found the provider was not meeting some of these requirements.

p.1

Summary of outcome

The report and inspection outcome will be published in due course. Following the inspection, we served a welfare requirements notice on 4 March 2024. This is a legal notice that requires the provider to take the actions below within the timescales set out. The provider will be able to give parents further information about this. The provider is still registered with Ofsted.

p.1

Summary of outcome

• ensure children are within sight and hearing when eating

p.1

Summary of outcome

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

p.1

Summary of outcome

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

p.1

Summary of outcome

• ensure appropriate records are maintained with specific regard to liaison with other agencies in relation to children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

p.1

Summary of outcome

We will monitor the provider's response to ensure the actions are successfully completed.

p.1

Summary of outcome

We suspended the provider's registration on 4 March 2024 because we believe children are, or may be, at risk of harm. Suspension allows time for the provider to take steps to reduce or eliminate the risk of harm to children. The provider has a right to appeal against a suspension. The provider may not provide childcare for which registration is required while the suspension is in place and may commit an offence if they do so.

p.1

Summary of outcome

On 11 March 2024, we carried out a regulatory visit. The focus of the visit was to check whether the provider had met the safeguarding and welfare actions raised at their last inspection and to monitor compliance with the suspension. We found the provider was not caring for children and had taken action to address the welfare requirements notice. However, it was found that the provider had failed to notify Ofsted of a significant event which is likely to affect the suitability of any person who cares for, or/is in regular contact with, children on the premises on which childminding is provided, which is a requirement of their registration. Ofsted was unable to determine the suitability of all individuals associated with the registration.

p.1

Summary of outcome

Following the visit, Ofsted was notified the childminder had cared for children while suspended. In addition, Ofsted found that the childminder had failed to obtain all children's details for whom she was responsible.

p.2

Summary of outcome

On 13 March 2024, we lifted the suspension as the childminder had taken action to ensure children were no longer at risk of harm in relation to the actions resulting from the inspection on 1 March.

p.2

Summary of outcome

However, subsequent concerns led to Ofsted suspending the childminder's registration again on 13 March 2024, because we believe children are, or may be, at risk of harm due to these new concerns. Suspension allows time for the provider to take steps to reduce or eliminate the risk of harm to children. The provider has a right to appeal against a suspension. The provider may not provide childcare for which registration is required while the suspension is in place and may commit an offence if they do so.

p.2

Summary of outcome

Following this action, we also served a welfare requirements notice on 14 March 2024. This is a legal notice that requires the provider to take the actions below within the timescales set out. The provider will be able to give parents further information about this. The provider remains registered with Ofsted.

p.2

Summary of outcome

• demonstrate how you will obtain relevant information about children in your care to ensure the safe and efficient management of the setting and ensure children's individual needs can be met.

p.2

Summary of outcome

On 25 March 2024, we carried out a regulatory visit to monitor compliance with the welfare requirements notice. We found the childminder had taken action to address the welfare requirements notice. The suspension of the registration remained in place while Ofsted continued with their enquiries.

p.2

Summary of outcome

On 17 April 2024, Ofsted interviewed the childminder. On 19 April 2024, we lifted the suspension because the provider took appropriate action to deal with the matter that led to the suspension. We are satisfied that the identified risk of harm to children has been removed. However, we found that the provider had failed to notify Ofsted of a significant event, which is a requirement of their registration. We issued a warning letter to the provider.

p.2

Summary of outcome

On 18 June 2024, we completed a monitoring visit to ensure the childminder remained suitable for registration. We found the childminder was complying with the requirements of registration.

p.3

Summary of outcome

On 4 July 2024, Ofsted received concerns regarding the managing of children's behaviour. We liaised with the local authority designated officer (LADO). On 19 July 2024, Ofsted received additional concerns regarding the supervision of children and the safe transportation.

p.3

Summary of outcome

On 5 August 2024, Ofsted completed a regulatory visit. We did not identify any breaches of the requirements. This was followed by an inspection on 12 August 2024.

p.3

Summary of outcome

The childminder is still registered with Ofsted.

p.3