Childminder in Sefton

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision requires improvement

The childminder and her assistant work as a team and communicate effectively to ensure children's individual needs are met. Children approach adults for a reassuring cuddle if they are sad or tired. This demonstrates that they feel safe and form secure attachments. However, there are times when the assistant is alone with the children, for example when he collects them from school. As he does not hold a current paediatric first-aid certificate, this impacts on children's safety.

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The provision requires improvement

The childminder and her assistant have high expectations for all children and set clear boundaries and expectations of behaviour from the outset. As a result, children behave well and enjoy opportunities for cooperative play. The childminder and her assistant support children to be independent. For example, they speak to children about the importance of washing their hands before meals. Additionally, children choose games they would like to play with. Children demonstrate positive attitudes towards learning, for instance as they speak confidently about the height and design of their tower as they build.

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The provision requires improvement

Children learn to assess and manage some risks for themselves. For example, as they scale large climbing equipment and slides in the childminder's spacious outdoor area.

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need to do better?

n The childminder does not provide her assistant with effective coaching and supervision to help him to improve his knowledge of wider safeguarding issues and enhance the quality of his teaching. Consequently, he does not have robust understanding of wider safeguarding issues, such as the 'Prevent' duty. The quality of some of the assistant's interactions with children is not as strong as the childminder's. That said, the majority of the teaching is undertaken by the childminder. Therefore, there is limited impact on the overall quality of education children receive and all children make good progress. n The childminder's understanding to meet all legal requirements of the early years foundation stage is not sufficiently robust. For example, she is not able to demonstrate her awareness of her responsibilities under the Data Protection Act and she has failed to notice that her assistant requires a paediatric first-aid

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need to do better?

qualification. However, at inspection, the childminder took action to put these matters right. She is now registered with the ICO and has booked a first-aid course for her assistant to attend. n The childminder and her assistant communicate effectively with parents. They openly discuss children's progress and what children have enjoyed during the day. Parents praise the welcoming environment and the flexibility of the childminder and her assistant.

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need to do better?

7 November 2019 n The childminder works well with other professionals. She shares information regarding children's stages of development effectively and implements strategies given to her by other professionals. This ensures consistency of opportunity and promotes targeted learning. As a result, children make consistent progress. n The childminder and her assistant provide children with many opportunities to develop positive attitudes towards nutritious foods. For example, children plant and care for organic fruits and vegetables in the well-tended garden. They enjoy regular cooking and baking activities that include both sweet and savoury items. n Children participate in and help to plan regular trips out in the local community. They enjoy being active, meeting other people and learning about the world around them. For example, children visit nearby farms and enjoy trips to the beach and local park. This supports children to build confidence and make

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need to do better?

connections to real-life experiences. n The childminder and her assistant are attuned to the needs of the children. They recognise when children are tired and hungry and meet their individual needs sensitively. Sleeping routines and home preferences are followed carefully. This helps to support children's good physical and emotional well being. n The childminder and her assistant have strategies in place to support children who are learning English as an additional language. They use key phrases in the child's home language so that they can communicate with the children effectively. For instance, they ask children how they are feeling in Romanian and identify colours in Spanish. As a result, children are well supported to make good progress from their starting points.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant have an understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse. They are confident of the actions they would take to identify a child in need of help. They are aware of the correct procedure to take should there be an allegation against them. The childminder takes steps to minimise hazards and regularly risk assesses her premises. This helps to ensure children are safe while in her care.

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Due date

ensure that assistants who are left in sole charge of the children hold a full and current paediatric first-aid qualification 28/11/2019

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Due date

7 November 2019 ensure that knowledge is developed fully to be aware of the responsibilities under the Data Protection Act 28/11/2019

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Due date

provide effective coaching and support for assistants to ensure they are kept up to date with wider safeguarding issues and help them to raise the quality of teaching to the highest levels. 28/11/2019

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY431018 Local authority Sefton Inspection number 10065738 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder Age range of children 2 to 11 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 16 Date of previous inspection 20 August 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2011 and lives in Southport. She operates all year round from 6.30am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with an assistant on a part-time basis and holds a relevant early years degree.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector had a tour of the premises. n The inspector spoke to the childminder about the activities she plans and how they benefit children's development. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching and the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the childminder. n The inspector took account of the views of parents from written feedback. n The inspector sampled statutory documentation during the inspection, including the suitability of persons living in the household, safeguarding policies, training certificates and children's learning journeys.

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Inspection activities

7 November 2019 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

7 November 2019 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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