Childminder in Plymouth

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 are happy at the setting and settle in well. They form positive relationships with the childminder and her family. However, the childminder exceeds the number of children she can look after. She does not successfully meet the individual needs of more than three young children. She does not have a good enough understanding of what children's learning needs are, to help her to plan activities to support children to make the best possible progress as they play. For example, she intends to teach children to recognise colours; however, she only provides pencils and pre-printed sheets for young children to colour in. She does not use other resources or activities effectively to help children to recognise and name colours. Children do not have enough play space indoors. Lots of family belongings on display, such as bags and clothing on drying racks, limits the amount of available space indoors for children to use. As a result, young children who are

p.2

The provision requires improvement

developing their walking skills are unable to explore the room freely and choose where they wish to play. Children behave well. The childminder helps children to develop good social skills and polite manners. She praises children for their efforts, which helps to boost their self-esteem. For instance, older children spontaneously hold the gate open to allow the childminder to push the pushchair through into the garden.

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need to do better?

n Since her last inspection, the childminder has made some improvements. She has started to share information with other settings that children attend. For example, when staff explain what children have enjoyed at nursery school, the childminder and children happily chat about this as they walk home. The childminder also informs parents about what their children enjoyed at school. However, she has not taken full advantage of the support offered by the local authority. She does not evaluate her childminding effectively. As a result, areas of her practice still require improvement to further support children's outcomes. n The childminder's risk assessment ensures that children do not have access to potentially dangerous items in the home. However, some hazards remain outside. Unsecured ladders are propped up against the wall, and there is rusty, broken garden furniture that is restricting valuable play space. The childminder

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need to do better?

relies too heavily on her supervision of children in the garden rather than minimising risks to ensure that children are safe. n The childminder is caring and kind. She gives young children cuddles as they look at books together. She asks them questions about what they can see on each page. This helps children to be interested in the story and to recognise and name the characters. However, the childminder does not routinely comment on what children are interested in or doing. She does not repeat back what children say with new vocabulary added. As a result, she does not fully promote

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need to do better?

17 March 2022 children's early communication and language skills. n Children enjoy singing songs with the childminder. They are keen to copy her hand actions and join in. Children show interest in the musical instruments and happily follow the childminder's instructions about how to play them. n During walks to and from school, children walk sensibly with the childminder and hold the ropes attached to the pushchair. She reminds children to be aware of overhanging brambles and large sticks on the pavement. She teaches children to stand at the kerbside to look and listen and to know when it is safe to cross. This helps children to develop skills to keep themselves safe. n Younger children have regular opportunities to attend community groups. The childminder supports them to play with other children to develop their social skills. They enjoy playing on the large physical equipment in the hall. Older children are becoming independent in their self-care. They know to take off their

p.2

need to do better?

shoes and place them on the rack as they enter the setting. n Parents are happy with the care the childminder provides. They appreciate her flexibility to meet their needs to care for their children. There are friendly relationships and valuable information is shared. The childminder sends messages and photos to offer reassurance to parents. She finds out about each child's family in order to plan activities. For example, children enjoy having their feet painted to make footprints for special pictures to celebrate Mother's Day.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has attended training and understands how to recognise signs and symptoms that could indicate a child may be at risk of harm. She understands her responsibility to record and report concerns to appropriate agencies. She is aware of what she should do if there is an allegation made against herself or a household member. The childminder allows her children of senior school age to occasionally accompany her to walk childminded children home from school. She is aware of her role to supervise children aged under eight and complies with this. However, some improvements in her daily practice are required to ensure that children's safety is promoted at all times.

p.3

Due date

ensure that staff-to-child ratios are always adhered to, as detailed in the 'Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage' 31/03/2022

p.3

Due date

17 March 2022 gain a clear understanding of children's learning needs and use this to plan activities to support children to make the best possible progress as they play 10/06/2022

p.3

Due date

increase the amount of available space for children to use to meet the indoor space requirements. 31/03/2022

p.4

should:

n improve the risk assessment arrangements to identify aspects of the garden that need to be checked on a regular basis, and how risks will be removed or minimised n consider ways to improve the evaluation of the practice to further support children's outcomes n develop the curriculum further to ensure that all activities and experiences fully promote children's early communication and language skills.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY370757 Local authority Plymouth Inspection number 10230954 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 18 Date of previous inspection 10 November 2021

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2008 and lives in Plymouth, Devon. She operates all year round from 7am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the childminder. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about her intentions for children's learning. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, including during the collection of children from school, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while with the childminder. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

17 March 2022 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

17 March 2022 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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