Childminder in Norfolk

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

Children enjoy their time in the setting. Most children continued to attend throughout the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic and have adapted readily to changes, such as parents not coming into the setting. Children come into the setting happily, demonstrating that they feel safe. They develop caring attitudes towards each other. Older children have consideration for the younger ones, passing toys to them and sharing resources. All children follow good hygiene routines, but are not always helped to understand why they are necessary. Despite snack time taking too long to hold the children's interest, the childminder does take the opportunity to promote this as a social time and chat with the children. Children are good at taking turns to speak and listen.

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The provision requires improvement

Children are not always sufficiently motivated to play and learn. They often do not engage in purposeful play. Due to the wide age range of the children attending, adults are often occupied with changing nappies and nursing babies. Older children run around the room and throw themselves on to the soft-play equipment. Adults then have to ask them to stop running and play nicely. It is a while before anyone suggests an alternative activity to engage them in. Children do not always have opportunities to be active outdoors.

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need to do better?

n The childminder establishes caring relationships with the children, actively supporting them to feel happy and settled. A very small number of children did not attend during the COVID-19 pandemic. The childminder kept in contact with them and their families. She delivered home-learning packs to parents to enable them to continue their child's learning and development at home. n The childminder and her assistants are clear about what they want children to learn. However, this is not always matched well enough to children's learning needs. For example, the oldest children take part in an adult-led phonics game. Not all of them are at the stage where they understand that words consist of a combination of sounds. They do not all understand about letter sounds. n Younger children are not always engaged well enough by adults in their play and learning. They then distract the older children, affecting their ability to

p.2

need to do better?

concentrate and learn. Despite this, children do enjoy some of the activities provided. For example, an assistant sits with younger children as they play with characters from a popular film. She talks with them about the items they are putting on their potato head and encourages them to name their own facial features. n The childminder supports children effectively as they move from home to her childminding setting. This is particularly valued by parents. It helps them to build a trusting and friendly relationship with the childminder.

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need to do better?

12 May 2021 n The childminder monitors the quality of her practice. For example, she recognises that on some days the number of early years children present impacts negatively on her ability to provide children with a good-quality care and learning experience. She has plans in place to address this. The childminder and her assistants maintain mandatory training. They identify their professional development needs through regular supervision. n The childminder builds strong partnerships with parents. She keeps them informed about their children's day and learning. Information is shared daily through verbal communication and written records. Parents feel confident that they can bring any concerns to the childminder and they would be addressed. n Although good hygiene routines are followed, children are not helped to understand the reason for good hygiene. For example, when children fiddle with their noses, the childminder does not clearly explain to them about using tissues

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need to do better?

to help minimise the spread of germs. n Children do not always have daily opportunities to play outdoors. During this inspection, children were not able to go outside during the morning session, despite the good weather. Some of the older children, who prefer to play and learn outside, were not offered this opportunity. One child went home at lunchtime and so did not benefit from any outdoor play. The children did go outside after lunch.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistants understand their responsibilities regarding child protection. They are aware of the indicators of abuse and know how to report concerns. The childminder and her assistants have completed training in child protection to ensure that they are aware of local procedures and any changes in legislation. They are aware of the importance of being alert to issues or concerns in a child's life at home. They understand the need to identify any children who may be at risk of harm from extreme behaviours and views and know how to manage concerns.

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Due date

ensure that the implementation of adult- led activities meets children's learning needs and builds on what they already know and can do 31/05/2021

p.3

Due date

12 May 2021 help children engage in purposeful play and persevere in activities of their own choosing 31/05/2021

p.3

Due date

provide all children with daily opportunities to be outdoors. 21/05/2021

p.4

should:

n reinforce children's growing awareness of the purpose of good hygiene practices.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY252806 Local authority Norfolk Inspection number 10118840 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 18 Number of children on roll 16 Date of previous inspection 23 July 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in May 2003 and lives in Gorleston, Norfolk. She operates all year round. She offers care for early years children from Monday to Wednesday, 8am to 5.30pm, and for school-aged children from Monday to Friday before and after school. Care in the school holidays is from Monday to Thursday, 8am to 5.30pm. Occasional Fridays are available by arrangement. The childminder does not work weekends or bank holidays. She works with assistants.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the provider. n The childminder showed the inspector the rooms used for childminding and explained how they were organised. The inspector and the childminder held a discussion to understand how the early years curriculum is organised. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this had on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with the childminder and her assistants at appropriate times throughout the inspection. She observed a planned activity and jointly evaluated this with the childminder. n The inspector discussed children's learning and looked at a selection of policies and other records. She also discussed the childminder's self-evaluation.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector checked evidence of the suitability of all household members and assistants. She checked the qualifications of the childminder and her assistants. n The inspector spoke to a parent by phone and took into account written testimonials from other parents.

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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.

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Inspection activities

12 May 2021 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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