Childminder in Oxfordshire

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

p.1

The provision is inadequate

Children's safety is compromised. Children are not always closely supervised when eating or when near to food that could present a choking hazard. Some children do not have access to drinking water, to fully promote their good health. However, those children who do not have access to drinking water do have access to other drinks to help keep them hydrated.

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The provision is inadequate

Children's behaviour is variable. Children are consistently polite and confident when talking to visitors. When children arrive they are pleased to see each other and are keen to start playing. However, as time passes and activities do not engage their interest well, children become distracted and their behaviour deteriorates. For example, they need regular reminders not to run indoors. Children find some of the toys available distracting when they are needing to concentrate on particular tasks.

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The provision is inadequate

The childminder identifies some appropriate aims for the curriculum. For example, she identifies the importance of children developing good speaking and listening skills. Children hear lots of words. The childminder and the assistant regularly talk about what they and the children are doing. However, there are not enough gaps in this dialogue to encourage children to engage in two-way conversations. Children who speak English as an additional language, or who need a little extra time to consider what they would like to say, do not have many opportunities to contribute to conversations. That said, children are developing an interest in books and are learning how to handle them appropriately. They enthusiastically join in with well known songs. The childminder completes the required progress checks for some, but not all, children aged two years. This hinders her ability to build a complete picture of each child's progress.

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need to do better?

n The childminder does not always adequately supervise children when they are eating, or when food is within reach and could be a choking hazard. For example, on the day of the inspection the childminder was unaware some children were still eating when she left them at the snack table to focus her attention on supervising lively children elsewhere in the room. Some children were allowed into the kitchen unsupervised while the childminder and assistant were in other rooms singing loudly with other children. This presents a significant risk of harm. n The childminder is not aware that she needs to make drinking water freely available to all children, to best promote their good health and meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage. However, those children who do not bring water from home do bring other drinks. n Children are not supported well to sit, listen and focus during 'carpet time'. They

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need to do better?

7 December 2021 join in for some of this time, such as when singing songs they already know. However, as time moves on they become fidgety and the childminder has to focus much of her attention on asking children to return to the carpet. This interrupts learning for all children. n The childminder, sometimes, over complicates activities. This means that children are unclear about what they should be doing. This was illustrated when children were asked to learn a new song, while also playing loud instruments and watching out for different cards to be shown to them. This hindered children's ability to hear the words to the song and begin to join in. n Children are initially excited to take part in some activities. For example, to decorate a small Christmas tree. However, children's interest is short lived. The childminder had initially planned to use this opportunity to introduce new words to children. This opportunity was lost because her attention was needed to

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need to do better?

support children's behaviour and to try and encourage them to return to the activity. n Children enjoy opportunities to develop the physical coordination and strength they will need for later writing. For example, children enjoy squeezing and manipulating dough. n The childminder supports children discreetly and effectively as they begin to manage their own toileting. Children receive gentle reminders about what they need to do and lots of praise for the progress they are making. Children learn about the importance of regular handwashing. n The childminder is inclusive in her approach. She values the different life experiences children bring with them. She ensures the different festivals that are special to children are celebrated. This helps children learn about their own and other cultures. n Children have access to an abundance of toys. They are clean and safe. However, the way they are displayed and stored, sometimes, distracts children

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need to do better?

from other activities and means children, sometimes, get frustrated when trying to find something specific. n Children have warm relationships with each other. They are excited to see their friends arriving. They call out their friend's names and greet them with big smiles. They also show they like the childminder and her assistant. For example, children hug the assistant when she arrives. n Parents are complimentary about the childminder. They appreciate the support they received during periods of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, not all parents receive the feedback about their child's progress to which they are entitled. For example, a written progress report when their child is aged between two and three years.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder undertakes regular training to keep her safeguarding knowledge updated. She is able to accurately identify the signs that a child may be at risk of harm. She knows how to share any concerns, to protect children. She ensures her

p.3

Safeguarding

7 December 2021 assistants undertake suitable safeguarding training too. Assistants know what to do if they have any concerns about a child, including how to report any concerns to relevant agencies. The childminder carries out robust checks on those she employs to work with children to ensure they are suitable to do so. However, the weaknesses in supervision of children means their safety is not assured.

p.3

Due date

ensure children are closely supervised at all times, including when eating or when near to food that could present a choking hazard, to keep them safe 01/01/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure drinking water is available at all times, to promote children's good health 01/01/2022

p.4

Due date

plan and deliver a high-quality, stimulating curriculum, that helps children engage well in their learning and make consistently good progress 01/02/2022

p.4

Due date

complete the required written progress checks for all children aged between two and three years, and share these with parents. 01/02/2022

p.4

should:

n reflect on how best to display and store resources, so children can easily find what they want and can focus well on planned learning activities.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY554463 Local authority Oxfordshire Inspection number 10174540 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 3 Number of children on roll 9 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017. She lives in Harwell, Didcott, Oxfordshire. She offers care all day, Monday to Friday, term time only. The childminder regularly works with one of her registered assistants. The childminder is in receipt of funding to provide free early education to children aged three years old and holds a relevant qualification at level 5.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in the evaluation of the childminder. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk. n The inspector and the childminder carried out a joint observation. n Parents and children shared their views. n The inspector spoke with the childminder and the assistant during the inspection and looked at relevant documentation.

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Inspection activities

7 December 2021 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 December 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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