Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

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 Met

p.1

The provision requires improvement

Children are happy in the nurturing, home-from-home environment provided by the childminder. They are settled and safe. However, weaknesses in the childminder's professional development have led to gaps in her knowledge. This means she does not fully plan for children to achieve the best they possibly can in all areas of learning. Despite this, children do make some progress in their learning. Children remember things they have learned over time. For example, children smell leaves, recalling that they are mint plants.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Children play inside and in the large garden which is well resourced. They benefit from one-on-one attention from the childminder who is responsive to their needs. Children go on regular trips. For instance, children attend a playgroup each week where they develop their social skills. Children develop an understanding of the wider world in which they live by visiting supermarkets and garden centres.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

At times, children do not understand what is expected of them. Strategies for managing behaviour are inconsistent. This leads to children attempting to negotiate instead of following instructions. That said, children's behaviour is usually positive. Children learn to show care and concern for living things as they care for the childminder's dogs.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder is not confident in her knowledge of all areas of learning. This means she is not always able to plan purposeful learning across all areas. This leads to gaps in children's learning over time. Despite this, the childminder teaches children as they play, which helps to ensure they make some progress. While the childminder places a high priority on children's happiness and well- being, activities are not always purposefully planned to help children to meet the next steps in their learning. n The childminder knows how to extend children's interests as they play. For example, as children play with sea creatures, the childminder teaches children the animals' names. She demonstrates how a seahorse moves in water. Children copy the movement. This helps to develop children's knowledge over time. n At times, children do not know what is expected of them. For example, children do not always follow the childminder's requests immediately. High expectations

p.2

need to do better?

of children's behaviour are not always reinforced. This means that children are not always sure what behaviour is acceptable and what is not. n The childminder knows children very well. She builds strong relationships with children. She recognises children's needs, such as when they are tired or need the toilet. Children seek comfort from the childminder and enjoy cuddles and stories. Children are confident in expressing their wants and needs. They feel

p.2

need to do better?

22 June 2022 very comfortable in the setting, which helps to develop their confidence and positive self-esteem. n Children are eager to learn and show curiosity about things around them. They happily join in activities. For example, children use a fishing rod to collect fish from the paddling pool. They pretend they are in a fish shop. This helps to develop children's imaginations and role-play skills. n Children do not always wash their hands appropriately before eating. For example, when children play outside, the childminder gives them fruit without ensuring their hands have been cleaned first. This means children's good health is not fully promoted. n The childminder has not undertaken any recent training in order to enhance her professional knowledge and skills. This has led to gaps in the childminder's subject knowledge, such as the areas of learning. This weakness means that the childminder is not able to appropriately plan how she will develop skills across all

p.2

need to do better?

learning areas. n The childminder has good relationships with parents. She has daily conversations with parents and keeps in touch with them by sending regular messages. However, the childminder does not regularly communicate with other settings that children attend. This hinders continuity in learning between other settings and the childminder.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder understands the signs of abuse and how to report any concerns she has. She takes note of any existing injuries children have when they enter the setting to help her identify any safeguarding concerns. The childminder has procedures in place to ensure children are not picked up by adults who do not have permission. She assesses risks in her environment to help her keep children safe. Children are taught how to keep themselves safe in hot weather. For example, they learn the importance of wearing a hat, applying sun cream and staying hydrated.

p.3

Due date

enhance subject knowledge of all seven areas of learning as set out in the early years foundation stage to support planning for children's learning 22/07/2022

p.3

Due date

22 June 2022 evaluate training needs and undertake appropriate training to ensure learning activities provided for children are of the highest quality 22/07/2022

p.3

Due date

take steps to initiate communication with other settings that children attend to promote continuity in children's learning. 22/07/2022

p.4

should:

n strengthen strategies for managing children's behaviour to help children understand precisely what is expected of them at all times n reflect on children's personal hygiene routines to ensure they are consistent in order to promote children's good health.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY225431 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 10132587 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 1 Date of previous inspection 12 January 2015

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2003 and lives in Rudheath, Northwich, Cheshire. The childminder operates all year round, on Wednesdays only, from 7.30am to 6pm. The childminder provides funded early education for three-year-old children.

p.5

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine 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 their evaluation of the provision. n The childminder and inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Parents shared their views with the inspector. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

p.5

Inspection activities

22 June 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

22 June 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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