Childminder in Somerset

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

p.1

The provision requires improvement

Children are happy and secure and interact well with the caring childminder and her assistant. They are confident to move around independently and initiate contact with visitors. Older children are also independent in managing their personal hygiene needs.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Children willingly engage with activities, but the range provided during the inspection was limited and did not cater for every child's interests. For example, the train track was out for a long period because one child particularly liked it. Little alternative was offered to the others. The childminder and her assistant know the children well and accurately assess their level of development and the next steps that they need to take to make progress. They incorporate these into activities. For example, children develop their balance as they stand at the table and practise using a spoon successfully. However, children are not all included fully in activities, which limits what they learn from them. When a 'magic reindeer' food activity took place, young children were not given a bowl or spoon until long after other children, so they could not join in. Young children are content but do not receive the same level of support for their learning as the older children.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Children have good manners. They know they need to say please and thank you and often do so without any reminder. They learn about the local community and different people through activities, such as going to coffee mornings. There are also positive images of diversity displayed. However, opportunities to enhance children's learning even further in this area are missed. For example, children cannot look at books about different beliefs and ways of life on a day-to-day basis because they are kept in topic folders. Overall, children are kept safe but the childminder's risk assessment is not as effective as possible.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder and her assistant manage challenging behaviour well. They are calm and consistent and use effective strategies, such as having a particular toy that children associate with calming down when they are frustrated. The childminder and her assistant give clear explanations about sharing, taking turns and being kind to one another. They offer praise and encouragement to children for their achievements. n Children's physical development is supported well. For example, the childminder regularly contacts the health visitor if she has concerns about children to ensure they get the help they need. n The childminder and her assistant do not provide a sufficiently wide range of activities to cater for each child's interests and level of development. They do not engage all children fully in activities, which limits their learning experience.

p.2

need to do better?

19 December 2019 n Children learn to communicate in different ways. For example, they are learning to use sign language and sometimes use it spontaneously to communicate during their play. n The childminder works in successful partnership with other settings that children attend. She liaises with them to discuss next steps of learning and any other relevant information that will help her meet children's needs. n The childminder's risk assessment is not as effective as possible. Cleaning materials are stored in an unlocked cupboard under the sink in the kitchen. There is a gate to deny access to the kitchen but children go through it to reach the toilet and sleep room. Although the childminder states that she can observe them doing this from the playroom, direct supervision cannot be guaranteed. n The childminder and her assistant work well together as a team. They share ideas and discuss activities that they could provide. The childminder monitors

p.2

need to do better?

the performance of her assistant and they consider training that would develop their skills and be beneficial for children. For example, they have recently completed training in using British sign language, which they are using to enhance children's communication skills. n Children learn about healthy lifestyles. The childminder and her assistant talk to children about foods that are good for you and support them to brush their teeth after meals.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant have recently attended training to update their knowledge of safeguarding. This has included wider issues, such as protecting children from the risks of radicalisation and female genital mutilation. They both have a secure understanding of the possible signs that a child is at risk of harm and know what to do if they have concerns. The childminder has taken positive steps to manage the behaviour and location of her dogs to reduce any risk to children.

p.3

Due date

provide a more varied range of activities and improve teaching to take more account of the needs and interests of all the children 20/02/2020

p.3

Due date

19 December 2019 develop risk assessment further to be more fully effective in identifying and minimising risks to children. 09/01/2020

p.3

should:

n enhance children's opportunities to find out about different cultures and ways of life.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY428277 Local authority Somerset Inspection number 10116679 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder Age range of children 1 to 10 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 22 Date of previous inspection 2 July 2019

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2011 and lives in Ilchester, Somerset. She works from Monday to Friday, all year round except Christmas, bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a childcare qualification at level 3. She works with an assistant who has a qualification at level 2.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the childminder and her assistant interacting with children and supporting their learning. n A joint observation was completed by the inspector and the childminder. n The inspector spoke to the childminder about the curriculum and leadership and management. n The inspector took account of written testimonials from parents and a health visitor. n The inspector interacted with children to assess their level of development. n A sample of records were checked.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

19 December 2019 19 December 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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