Childminder in Wirral

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

p.1

The provision is inadequate

Children's safety and security are not assured. The childminder does not have clear procedures to follow should she have a concern about a child. Although the playroom has been made safe, there are hazards in the kitchen, toilet, bathroom, and garden that have not been removed or minimised. The childminder does not help children make good progress. She does not assess learning frequently enough or plan effectively to build on what children know and can do. She does not consistently exchange information with parents or other settings that children attend so that all parties are aware of children's abilities. Some incidental learning takes place due to the type of toys available. For example, children learn about technology as they push buttons on toys to activate light and sound. They confidently ask the digital assistant to play songs and are aware that it performs tasks on demand.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children's ability to acquire the key skills needed in readiness for school are limited. For much of the time, children occupy themselves. They flit from one activity to another and are not effectively engaged or challenged, so little learning takes place. However, some activities, such as singing and looking at books, help to support children's language development. The childminder encourages older children to pronounce words correctly and to be good role models for younger children. She counts while changing nappies and completing tasks, which helps to introduce numbers to younger children. Overall, children are happy and behave well in the welcoming environment. They demonstrate confidence as they interact with the childminder and visitors.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder does not consistently meet the statutory safeguarding and welfare requirements and the quality of education is inadequate. She initially made improvements following the last inspection. However, she has failed to maintain them. n The childminder started to use a suitable system for recording the children's attendance and their times of arrival and departure. However, did not continue to use it. She does not have an accurate record of children's attendance to refer to in case of emergency or to be able to identify patterns in their absences. n The curriculum is not planned well. What each child needs to learn next or how they will learn are not sufficiently considered when organising activities. The weaknesses in observation, assessment and planning have an impact on the quality of children's learning. n The childminder does not regularly or consistently exchange information about children's abilities and progress with parents. She started to gather information

p.2

need to do better?

from parents, which she used with her own observations, to identify what

p.2

need to do better?

17 August 2021 children knew and could do when they first started. However, did not continue to do so. This limits her ability to build on their prior learning. n The childminder talks with parents as they drop off and collect their children. She gathers useful information, which she uses to meet children's care and health needs. She talks to children about healthy food as they eat their lunch brought from home. n The childminder does not keep the required information about each child, such as their name and date of birth, the name, address and emergency contact details of their parents and information about who has parental responsibility. Other required records, including those for recording accidents, administered medicine and complaints, are not kept available for inspection. n Children have developed secure relationships with the childminder. They are confident and behave well. Older children confidently ask the childminder to

p.2

need to do better?

pass toys from shelves that they cannot reach. Younger children are keen to join activities initiated by the older children, such as matching games and jigsaws. However, these are not appropriate for their level of ability and they are not supported to engage in them. The childminder hands them other toys, which briefly interest them before moving to another as their learning needs are not being met. n Children develop well physically. The childminder takes them on regular outings in the local area. They improve their balance and coordination as they use equipment at the local park and climb on soft-play equipment at a local centre. n During the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, opportunities for children to meet and communicate with others have been understandably limited. However, younger children enjoy secure relationships with the school-age children who attend and benefit from their kind, caring attitude. They laugh as they interact

p.3

need to do better?

with each other. This helps to build their social and communication skills.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Children's security, safety and well-being are compromised due to weaknesses in safeguarding and record-keeping. Indoors and outdoors, there are hazards that have not been minimised or removed. Hazardous items are within reach of children. These include a bottle of bleach and toilet cleaner in the toilet, a ladder propped against the bathroom wall and bottles of laundry fluids and alcohol in the kitchen. The garden gate is not secured and hazards in the garden include a pond, a rusty bucket with sharp edges and poisonous plants. However, the childminder reminds older children to be careful around babies that are on the floor. She encourages children to tidy away toys before getting out different ones to limit slip hazards.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a basic knowledge of child protection and safeguarding issues. However, is not able to demonstrate that her procedures to safeguard children are in line with the guidance and procedures of the relevant local statutory children's services agencies. She does not keep accessible the appropriate contact details and

p.3

Safeguarding

17 August 2021 telephone numbers for who she would call if concerned about a child.

p.3

Due date

ensure the policy and procedures to safeguard children are in line with the guidance and procedures of the local statutory children's services agencies and include the appropriate contact details and telephone numbers to call if concerned about a child 13/09/2021

p.4

Due date

ensure children are kept safe and not exposed to risks, and take all reasonable steps to make the garden safe and secure 13/09/2021

p.4

Due date

ensure all required records are available for inspection 13/09/2021

p.4

Due date

keep records for each child of their name and date of birth, the name, address and emergency contact details of their parents and information about who has parental responsibility 13/09/2021

p.4

Due date

keep a written record of any complaints, and their outcome 13/09/2021

p.4

Due date

keep a daily record of the names of the children being cared for on the premises and their hours of attendance. 13/09/2021

p.4

Due date

17 August 2021 maintain a regular two-way flow of information with parents and/or carers, and with other providers, if a child is attending more than one setting 13/09/2021

p.4

Due date

assess what children know and can do and use this to plan activities that help them reach the next stage in their learning and development. 13/09/2021

p.5

Setting details

Unique reference number 306153 Local authority Wirral Inspection number 10109308 Type of provision Childminder

p.6

Registers

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

p.6

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7 Date of previous inspection 16 May 2019

p.6

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1990 and lives in Wallasey. She operates all year round from 8am to 5.45pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

p.6

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in the evaluation of the provider. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together. n A joint observation was carried out by the inspector and the childminder. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder and children. n The inspector looked at a sample of the documents. This included evidence of the childminder's suitability and paediatric first-aid training.

p.6

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.6

Inspection activities

17 August 2021 17 August 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.

p.6

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.8

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8