Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

p.1

The provision is inadequate

Children's safety is compromised in this setting. This is due to the childminder not maintaining all of the records that she is legally required to hold. The childminder does not keep a daily record of the names of the children being cared for in her setting, or the times they attend. Furthermore, she does not keep a record of children's accidents and injuries while in her care. The childminder also does not keep a written record of the medication that she administers to children. This has an impact on children's welfare. The childminder does not have a thorough understanding of the requirements for recording parent complaints. She does not prioritise good hygiene practices. The childminder does not teach children to wash their hands before eating or after playing outside. This puts children at risk of illness and infection.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Despite the identified weaknesses, children are happy in the care of the childminder. Children have formed positive relationships with the childminder and with their peers. They enjoy exploring the toys and resources in the childminder's home and garden. Children benefit from plenty of fresh air and exercise. This supports their physical development. Children go on a range of outings to the zoo, ice-cream farm and to local parks. They talk about the animals they saw at their recent trip to the zoo. Children attend childminder groups. This allows children to play with children from other settings.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder does not keep a daily register recording children's attendance. She does not detail the children who are present each day or the times of when children arrive or when they leave her care. This puts children at risk in an emergency. n Partnerships with parents and staff at other settings children attend are not strong enough. The childminder works with parents to get to know their children's care needs and routine when they first start. However, she does not gather information about what children already know to establish accurate starting points. The childminder does not exchange important information, such as children's next steps in learning, with staff at other settings that children attend. Therefore, children do not benefit from continuity in their development. n Children behave well. The childminder teaches children to share toys and resources from a young age. Children listen to the childminder and follow her

p.2

need to do better?

instructions. However, the childminder does not always set clear expectations for children. For example, during tidy-up time, younger children are not encouraged to help tidy up the craft table. This does not help children learn how to tidy-up together as a team. n Children concentrate well during planned activities. They manipulate play dough

p.2

need to do better?

9 August 2022 into animals for an extended period of time. Children discuss their favourite animals with the childminder. The childminder discuses the size of animals with children as they play. She teaches children about the food different animals eat. This helps children learn about the wider world. However, the childminder is not always successful at engaging children in learning. At times, she stands too far away from activities to be able to fully interact with children effectively. Therefore, children are not making the progress they are capable of in their learning. n The childminder encourages children to count how many animals they can see. She encourages children to recognise colours and shapes within the environment. This helps to promote children's mathematical development. n Children's physical development is promoted. They climb up steps in the garden and ride on wheeled toys. They practise their catching skills with older children.

p.2

need to do better?

Children strengthen the muscles in their hands as they squeeze and roll out play dough. They make marks in the dough using animal figures. n Children are good communicators. They communicate when they need to go to the toilet. However, children do not develop their independence skills enough. For example, tissues are not easily accessible to children when they need to wipe their own noses. Therefore, children do not always learn how to attend to their own personal care needs. n The childminder completes mandatory training, such as paediatric first aid and safeguarding. However, she has not focused her wider professional development to improve the quality of teaching and learning. n Children learn about festivals and cultures that are different to their own. For example, the childminder plans activities and experiences based on Chinese New Year. Children bring books in from home that are written in a different language.

p.3

need to do better?

This helps children to gain some understanding of difference and what makes them unique.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder does not have the required knowledge and understanding to meet the safeguarding and welfare requirements. She does not keep the correct information and written records that she is required to in order to keep children safe. That said, the childminder attends safeguarding training. She has a good knowledge of the signs that children may be at risk of harm. The childminder understands possible indicators that a child or family may be at risk of being drawn into extremist behaviours. The childminder teaches children about road safety when they complete the school drop offs and collections each day. Children learn how to cross roads safely by waiting for the 'Green Man' and to look and listen for cars.

p.3

Due date

keep a written record of accidents or injuries and first-aid treatment 09/09/2022

p.4

Due date

promote children's good health, such as introducing regular handwashing 09/09/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure that there is a procedure for dealing with concerns and complaints from parents and keep a written record of any complaints and their outcome 09/09/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure there is a regular flow of information with other settings children attend 09/09/2022

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 09/09/2022

p.4

Due date

keep a written record each time a medicine is administered to a child 09/09/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure training and professional development opportunities are tailored to offer quality learning and development experiences to children. 09/09/2022

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 2570123 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 10239436 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 12 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2020 and lives in Cheshire. She operates Monday to Friday, from 7.30am until 5pm, all year round. The childminder holds a relevant qualification at level 3.

p.5

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the setting and discussed the early years curriculum. 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 The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder. n The inspector took account of parents' views. n The inspector requested relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of the childminder.

p.5

Inspection activities

9 August 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

9 August 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.

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.7

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.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7