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 Good

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The provision requires improvement

The childminder establishes warm bonds with the children in her care. Children are happy and they feel secure. The childminder gets to know children well. She gathers information from parents about children's routines, interests and skills when they first start to attend. However, due to weaknesses in the curriculum and the childminder's understanding of how children learn, children do not always develop the key skills they need to make the progress they are capable of. Children frequently lack motivation and become disengaged during play. This hinders their ability to develop positive attitudes to their learning.

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The provision requires improvement

Although children behave well, they are not consistently supported to understand how to play alongside others. Occasionally, the childminder interrupts opportunities for children to play together and learn important social skills. For example, without explanation, she moves babies away from older children when they are crawling over to them. This prevents children from learning to play cooperatively.

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need to do better?

n The quality of teaching is variable. Although children enjoy a range of activities, the childminder has not sequenced her curriculum effectively. She does not fully understand what young children need to learn first. For example, she tries to teach young children number names before they are able to talk. This is not appropriate for very young children. n The childminder provides some effective support for children's communication skills. However, she does not always model and extend children's vocabulary to further develop their language skills. Furthermore, the childminder does not always recognise the potential impact that the extended use of dummies has on children's emerging language development. This is particularly so when children are happily engaged in active play. n The childminder encourages children to try food from other cultures. However, she does not routinely teach children about the similarities and differences

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need to do better?

between themselves, their families and others. This hinders children from developing a deeper understanding of people and communities that may be different to their own. n The childminder provides feedback to parents regularly. She shares information about the activities that children take part in. This helps parents to further support children's learning at home. Parents appreciate that the childminder creates a loving and friendly environment for children. n Partnerships with staff at other settings children attend are not effective enough. The childminder does not exchange important information with staff at other settings, such as children's next steps in learning. Therefore, children do not benefit from continuity in their learning and development.

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need to do better?

26 September 2022 n The childminder supports children's good health. She ensures children have fresh water available throughout the day and teaches children about the importance of healthy meals and snacks. Children enjoy the opportunities to go on daily walks in the local area. This supports their physical well-being. n The childminder promotes children's growing independence. Young children feed themselves with spoons at lunchtime. They try to put their own shoes on, showing great determination and resilience. However, the play space is cluttered. This prevents children from making choices about what they would like to play with. n The childminder includes children's and parents' views in her self-evaluation. However, she does not clearly identify the strengths and weaknesses of her practice to help to secure continual improvement. n The childminder responds appropriately to children's care needs, for example if

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need to do better?

they are hungry, tired or unwell. Children cuddle up to the childminder when they want reassurance or comfort. They respond well to her caring approach. n The childminder accesses training to help her professional development. For example, she recently attended training to support the development of children's communication and language skills. However, the childminder has not successfully put her new knowledge into practice to enhance the curriculum she offers.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder understands her responsibility to protect children. She has a sound knowledge of the signs and symptoms that indicate a child may be at risk of harm. The childminder knows how to report any concerns she may have about a child's welfare. She ensures that children are safe and secure in her care. For example, she checks safety harnesses on high chairs and ensures children have close supervision when they are eating. The childminder teaches children about road safety when they go on walks around the local area. Children learn how to cross roads safely.

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Due date

improve knowledge and understanding of how children learn and develop in order to provide a curriculum that builds upon what children already know and can do 24/10/2022

p.3

Due date

26 September 2022 gain a better understanding of how to support children to develop their language skills from an early age 24/10/2022

p.3

Due date

ensure self-evaluation includes an accurate assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the provision in order to precisely target areas for further improvement. 24/10/2022

p.4

should:

n provide children with further opportunities to learn about people and communities that are different to their own n liaise with other settings children attend to share information about children's learning, to provide continuity in their development.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY452157 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 10230023 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

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 6 Date of previous inspection 16 November 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2012. She lives in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire. The childminder operates her provision from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an early years qualification at level 4.

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 setting. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector discussed the childminder's self-evaluation. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children. n The inspector considered how the childminder works in partnership with parents and others.

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Inspection activities

26 September 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

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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