Childminder in Staffordshire

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

Children's welfare and safety are not assured due to the childminder failing to implement a number of the safeguarding and welfare requirements. Children are not safe because the assistant involved in their care has not been vetted, and on occasions she is left alone with children. For example, children and babies move freely from the conservatory to the garden and the lounge as they choose what to do. However, there are times when the childminder cannot see or hear the assistant and the children she is with, and this compromises children's safety.

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The provision is inadequate

The quality of teaching and the use of assessment of children's learning are inconsistent. During a sensory activity with cooked spaghetti and real fruits, the most able children are not sufficiently challenged and lose interest. The assistant focuses too heavily on counting and colours, which offers little challenge for these children. That said, children have close relationships with the childminder and are confident. For example, babies delight in rolling a ball back and forth to the childminder and she bounces the ball and engages them well. Babies and younger children enjoy exploring the range of experiences available. The childminder places a clear focus on increasing their language during her interactions. All children enjoy looking at books, and when the most able children are engaged, they show sustained levels of interest. For example, they recall familiar phrases from a story and are eager to name the foods and fruits in the book.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has failed to inform Ofsted within 14 days of the recruitment of a new assistant and this is an offence. The assistant is working directly with children even though her suitability has not been checked. A Disclosure and Barring Service check and other required checks have not yet been completed. During the inspection, the assistant was left unsupervised with children on occasions. This poor practice puts children at risk. n The childminder has exceeded the number of children that she may care for at any one time. She has increased her numbers because she has employed an assistant. However, she has done this before the necessary checks for the assistant have been completed. Consequently, she is not safeguarding children. The childminder does not monitor the assistant's practice well enough and offer the assistant necessary support and coaching to raise the quality of her teaching. n The childminder does not meet the requirement to maintain a daily record of the

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need to do better?

names of children being cared for and their hours of attendance. Therefore, the inspector was unable to verify exactly how many children she cares for each day. n The childminder does not understand the requirement to assess children's

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need to do better?

7 April 2022 progress. She does not obtain information on entry about children's learning and development to establish accurate starting points to support children's learning. In addition, she does not complete a progress check at age two for children aged between two and three years and then share it with parents. The childminder does observe children to find out what they enjoy and plans for their interests. However, she does not regularly assess children's progress and identify precise and challenging next steps and use them well enough during activities. This results in children not receiving the support they need to help them make good progress. n Children's behaviour and attitudes are not consistently good due to the weak assessment arrangements and lack of challenge for some children. The childminder acknowledges that she struggles with offering sufficient challenge for the most able children and that they can become disinterested during

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need to do better?

activities. Despite this, children have close relationships with each other. The most able children enjoy caring for and supporting the younger children during routine tasks. For example, they help the younger children to take off their coats and shoes and show them where to put them. n Children's personal development is not assured due to the poor practice in keeping children safe. Nevertheless, there is a well-established routine and the childminder is sensitive and responsive to the emotional needs of children. Children have daily opportunities to extend their physical skills and enjoy yoga sessions. The childminder provides healthy and nutritious meals, which are freshly prepared and enjoyed by children. n The childminder works with parents to get to know their children's care needs, routine and personalities when they first start. She does not, however, gather information about what children already know to help her build on their learning.

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need to do better?

Parents are given feedback on collection to keep them informed about their children's day. They report that their children are happy and the range of activities on offer impresses them.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has failed to inform Ofsted about an assistant who has worked with her since December 2021 and has some unsupervised care of the children. Consequently, Ofsted has not been able to carry out any of the required checks to determine the assistant's suitability. Required ratios are not met because since employing the assistant, the childminder has increased the amount of children she is caring for. The childminder fails to understand that the assistant cannot be included in her adult-to-child ratios until she is deemed suitable. Consequently, children's safety is significantly compromised. However, the childminder understands the possible signs of child abuse and neglect and the procedures to follow if she is concerned.

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Due date

inform Ofsted in a timely manner of any persons working with children to ensure that all the required vetting processes can be undertaken to determine their suitability 29/04/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure those whose suitability has not been checked, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, do not have unsupervised contact with children being cared for 29/04/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure the required ratios are maintained at all times 29/04/2022

p.4

Due date

maintain a daily record of the names of children being cared for and their hours of attendance 29/04/2022

p.4

Due date

improve the arrangements in place for assistants to offer effective support, coaching and training to raise the quality of teaching to a good level. 29/04/2022

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Due date

ensure a progress check at age two is undertaken for all children aged between two and three years and shared with parents 29/04/2022

p.4

Due date

use an effective assessment system as an integral part of the learning and development process to help plan suitable activities that link to children's learning and their next steps to help them to make good progress 29/04/2022

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Due date

7 April 2022 obtain information on entry about children's learning and development to establish accurate starting points to support children's learning from the outset 29/04/2022

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2531882 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10208487 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 13 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2019. She lives in Tamworth, Staffordshire. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first inspection the childminder received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the setting. n The inspector and the childminder completed a learning walk together to check the safety of the premises and to gather information about the experiences provided. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation and held discussions with the childminder and the assistant. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of adults living in the household and working with children. n The inspector took into account the views of parents.

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Inspection activities

7 April 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

7 April 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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