Childminder in Knowsley

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Inadequate Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Inadequate

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The provision is inadequate

Children's safety and well-being are not assured. Although the childminder took prompt action to meet specific legal requirements following the previous inspection, further safeguarding and welfare requirements are now not met. Despite general supervision by the childminder, weaknesses in risk assessment mean children are exposed to an avoidable risk of harm. The childminder took steps to remove any potential hazards brought to her attention by the inspector. Children's well-being is further compromised by poor attention to general standards of cleanliness, specifically food debris on the floor in areas where children play.

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The provision is inadequate

Children are not fully supported to make good progress in their learning and development. Some activities lack a clear learning intention and are not always well matched to children's stage of development. At times, children are bored by the activities provided and quickly lose interest. For example, when the childminder provides children with crayons and colouring books, toddler-aged children briefly make marks with the crayons before moving away. In contrast, children enjoy opportunities to be physically active as they sing familiar songs with the childminder who enthusiastically models the associated actions.

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The provision is inadequate

Despite the weaknesses identified, children are settled in the care of the childminder. They giggle happily with her as they take turns to cover their faces and play peekaboo. Children happily snuggle alongside the childminder for stories and often refer to her as 'nana'. Children demonstrate a sense of belonging. They move freely around the childminder's home, independently accessing the playroom. With some support from the childminder, children play with imagination and enjoy making food for their doll and a cup of tea for the adults.

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need to do better?

n Weaknesses in organisation mean that the childminder does not always ensure her premises are safe and suitable prior to the arrival of minded children. This means that areas where children play contain potentially hazardous items, such as wires and household toiletries. This is a risk to children's safety. n Overall, standards of cleanliness are satisfactory. However, on the day of inspection, areas where children play were not clean. Children played among crumbs, discarded toast and sticky patches from spillages. The childminder explained that she was in the process of cleaning up from a family event the previous day but had not done so before minded children arrived. n The childminder routinely reminds children of the importance of other aspects of good hygiene, including the importance of regular handwashing. The childminder also implements good hygiene practice in relation to nappy changing routines.

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need to do better?

26 September 2022 n The childminder provides a varied and nutritious menu at mealtimes. However, she does not consistently encourage children to make healthy choices about the snacks they eat. This means children are not fully supported to learn about the importance of healthy eating. Children are also allowed to walk around as they eat their snack. This means children are not learning about the importance of safe behaviours when eating. n Children demonstrate confidence as they interact with the childminder and visitors. In the main, the childminder positively encourages children to show care and concern for one another. Children are learning the importance of relationships and cooperation as they learn to share and take turns as they play. n Despite weaknesses in planning, the childminder provides some activities that sustain children's attention and promote specific aspects of their learning. She instinctively encourages and supports children to make some progress. She has

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need to do better?

a general awareness of what they are capable of and supports children to achieve some of the basic skills they need for school. n The childminder is mindful of the importance of children's speech and communication skills. Activities, such as singing and looking at books, are routinely used to help to support children's language development. The childminder plays alongside children and supports them as they learn animal names and the different sounds they make. n Although the childminder has a suitable system for recording children's attendance, this record is not consistently maintained. Furthermore, the childminder does not always include details of every child on the premises, particularly when caring for family members. This hinders the safe and effective management of her provision. n The childminder values a relaxed and informal partnership with parents. Information is routinely exchanged in relation to children's care needs. However,

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need to do better?

parents are not always provided with enough information about their child's progress and how they can extend learning at home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

Children's safety and well-being are compromised by poor risk assessment. The childminder immediately removed the potential risks when identified by the inspector but had failed to do so before caring for children. The childminder explained the wires were from a special-effects light that had been used at the weekend and had not been put away. Further wires associated with mobile phones and tablets were also removed. Since the previous inspection, the childminder has completed a paediatric first-aid qualification. This means she is able to respond appropriately in the event of a child requiring emergency treatment. The childminder is aware of her responsibility to report any child protection concerns. Recent training and relevant contact details mean that she is able to implement appropriate procedures, if she is concerned about a child in her care. The childminder is also aware that she must report any allegation made against herself

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Safeguarding

or a member of the household. While she is clear that she would report any

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Safeguarding

26 September 2022 allegation to the safeguarding hub, she does not have a secure knowledge of the role of the designated officer.

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Due date

improve risk assessment procedures to help identify and manage any potential hazards that hinder children's safety 25/10/2022

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Due date

ensure good standards of cleanliness are maintained at all times 25/10/2022

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Due date

keep a daily record of the names of children being cared for on the premises and their hours of attendance 25/10/2022

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Due date

ensure children are provided with healthy, balanced and nutritious food that supports them in learning to make healthy choices about what they eat 25/10/2022

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Due date

gain a secure knowledge and understanding of the procedures to follow in the event of an allegation being made against yourself or a member of the household 25/10/2022

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Due date

target training and professional development opportunities to strengthen knowledge and the teaching of the curriculum 25/10/2022

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Due date

ensure parents are provided with information about children's progress and how they can help to extend learning at home. 25/10/2022

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Due date

assess what children know and can do and use this to plan and implement an ambitious, well-sequenced and fully informed curriculum that supports all children to make the best possible progress. 25/10/2022

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY303575 Local authority Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council Inspection number 10247870 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 4 Date of previous inspection 23 June 2022

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2005 and lives in Kirkby, Liverpool. She operates all year round, from 6.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact these activities had on children's learning. n The childminder talked to the inspector about how she organises her setting and how she plans and delivers the curriculum. n The childminder showed the inspector around her home and garden. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation.

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Inspection activities

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

26 September 2022 26 September 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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