Ofsted ranks Colchester childminder inadequate in inspection

The childminder, whose name has been redacted by Ofsted, cared for up to six children at her house in Colchester for 13 years.

Ofsted inspector Lyndsey Barwick said the carer’s knowledge of child protection and safeguarding was “poor”.

Her inspection in January found there was a used animal litter tray outside the bathroom door that the children could access and open cleaning products were within reach.

Child care - a stock image of a young child (Image: Pixabay)

The childminder used the whole of the ground floor of her property and the first floor bathroom for her business, alongside taking and collecting children from school.

Ms Barwick ranked the service’s quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management all inadequate.

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Further concerns were raised following the report, including the childminder not improving all the safeguarding and welfare actions they were compelled to.

A complaint was also made about the service within a month of the inspection.

A new report from Ofsted has now revealed the woman has resigned as a registered childminder, a role she held since 2010.

Play - children were happy in the childminder's care but were not safe, an inspector ruled (Image: Pixabay)

She declined to comment when approached by the Gazette.

The damning Ofsted report from January stated children’s safety and wellbeing had become “not assured” since the previous inspection in 2018.

It reads: “The childminder does not provide an environment that is safe and suitable for children.

“This means that children are exposed to undue risks that may compromise their health and safety.

“The childminder does not identify and minimise all hazards in the environment to ensure children are fully protected.

Aerial view - the childminder was based in Colchester (Image: Newsquest)

“For example, children visit the bathroom alone, and open cleaning products are within reach.

“In addition, there is a used animal litter tray outside the bathroom door that the children can access.

“Therefore, children's health and welfare cannot be assured.”

The childminder was praised for being “polite and kind” towards the children, who appeared “confident and happy” in her care.

But the report continued: “Children do not receive a high-quality education due to weaknesses in the childminder's knowledge and skills.”

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