Childminder in St Helens

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 18 June 2015 25 August 2011

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

The setting does not meet legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is inadequate

 Accurate records of the children's attendance are not maintained. This potentially places children at risk in emergency situations.  The childminder is unable to meet the individual needs of all children when exceptions to the usual ratios are applied when caring for siblings.  Although the childminder is well qualified, teaching is poor because she does not plan activities that build on children's interests or stage of development to encourage active learning that keeps children engaged and behaving well.  Observations and assessments are not robust enough to ensure the childminder is fully aware and confident in recognising children's individual needs, interests and abilities.  The childminder's procedures for monitoring and evaluating the quality of her provision are not robust. As a result, she has not identified relevant priorities for improvement in order to achieve better outcomes for children.

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It has the following strengths

 Partnership working with parents is encouraged through various methods of communication. This helps to ensure information is obtained from parents to support children's health needs, as well as sharing information about the child's day.  The childminder has a suitable understanding of safeguarding and assesses the areas used by children to identify and minimise any potential hazards.  Children are learning about healthy lifestyles and developing physical skills. They enjoy playing outdoors and enjoy snacks and home-cooked meals that are healthy and nutritious.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage the provider must:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 ensure that a daily record detailing the names of children and their hours of attendance is kept at all times  ensure the individual needs of all children are being met when exceptions to the usual ratios are applied when caring for siblings  review strategies used to promote behaviour management to support children's emotional well-being  ensure observations and assessments are sufficiently rigorous to identify children's progress including their starting points, so that their interests and learning styles are understood, and identify any gaps in their learning  ensure the individual needs, interests and stage of development of children are used to plan challenging yet developmentally appropriate experiences, to help them to make the best possible progress.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 develop the use of self-evaluation to identify strengths and weaknesses, in order to inform identified priorities and raise the quality of the provision.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the Childcare Register the provider must:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 ensure that children's behaviour is managed in a suitable manner (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  ensure that a daily record detailing the names of children and their hours of attendance is kept at all times (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  ensure that children's behaviour is managed in a suitable manner (voluntary part of the Childcare Register)  ensure that a daily record detailing the names of children and their hours of attendance is kept at all times (voluntary part of the Childcare Register).

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children's participation in routines and interactions with the childminder in the playroom, quiet room and in the garden. The inspector interacted with children during the inspection.  The inspector checked evidence of the qualifications and suitability of the childminder and other adult household members. The inspector took into account the views of parents spoken to on the day and from written comments.  The inspector looked at childminding contracts and planning records and discussed the self-evaluation process with the childminder.  The inspector sampled a selection of policies and records, such as, the safeguarding policy, risk assessments, attendance registers and first aid.

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who attend. This is inadequate

The childminder does not place sufficient emphasis when observing children to identify their individual needs, interests and stage of development. Consequently, she cannot ensure that children make the best possible progress taking into account their starting points and prior skills. The use of daily diaries and informal discussions means that parents are aware of the activities their children take part in, as well as care practices. The childminder plans various activities which are predominately based around selected themes and introducing children to new experiences, such as listening to music from different parts of the world and creating various craft pieces. Older children enjoy creative activities, such as drawing and painting. Younger children choose resources from the range provided. However, the childminder does not always use her knowledge of individual children to ensure activities are developmentally appropriate and sufficiently

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who attend. This is inadequate

challenge their learning. As a result, some children lack enthusiasm and often lose interest and motivation in their play. Consequently, children are not well prepared for school or their next stage of learning.

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inadequate

Children's care and emotional well-being is compromised because on occasions the childminder is caring for more than three young children. This effects the quality of care provided. For example, the childminder's attention is often taken away from others when carrying out personal care routines with individual children, meaning that some get restless and behave less well. As a result, some children find it difficult to maintain concentration during their choice of play. Furthermore, children's behaviour is not effectively managed, which leads to a disorderly environment that hinders children's learning. Children show familiarity with particular routines as they put away their belongings as they arrive. The childminder acknowledges children's efforts as they carry out tasks themselves and this helps promote their self-esteem. Children have access to fresh air and physical exercise as they sometimes walk to school and take part in regular

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inadequate

trips and outings. Children enjoy being out in the garden and eagerly lead their play by requesting various resources which capture their interest for short periods.

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provision is inadequate

The childminder is aware that she has not updated her knowledge and understanding of the learning and development requirements. Although she has previously attended training courses, she has not maintained her commitment to demonstrating how children make sufficient progress. Furthermore, she does not monitor the delivery of the educational programmes through effective planning to ensure that they have sufficient depth and breadth, and reflect the needs and interests of children. This lack of knowledge and understanding, and ineffective self-evaluation processes have an adverse impact on children's learning and development. A comprehensive range of policies and procedures are in place. The childminder has updated her safeguarding knowledge through training, and therefore, understands the procedures to follow should child protection concerns arise. However, the childminder has failed to maintain accurate records detailing children's

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provision is inadequate

attendance. This does not enable children to be accounted for in the event of an emergency situation. The childminder identifies potential risks and has attended paediatric first-aid training, which means she can respond appropriately in medical emergencies. Partnerships with parents are generally effective and they state that they are happy with the level of care provided for their children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY418723 Local authority St. Helens Inspection number 851954 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 12

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 25 August 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2011 and lives in St.Helens. She operates all year round from 7am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds Qualified Teacher Status and provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

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Telephone number

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted 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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Telephone number

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. 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 Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, 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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Telephone number

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Telephone number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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