Childminder in St Helens

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

Children have lovely relationships with the nurturing childminder and with each other. They are very happy and settled, despite some children being new to the setting. Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure in the childminder's care. They seek her out for cuddles and reassurance when needed. Young children learn about sharing and turn taking in ways that are appropriate to their age. Children learn about rules and boundaries, such as no throwing, to help keep themselves and others safe. They follow the childminder's instructions well and understand the daily routine. For instance, children know that they go upstairs to the bathroom to wash their hands before mealtimes.

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The provision requires improvement

The childminder has some understanding of what she wants children to learn overall. However, the curriculum lacks depth and ambition and is not well sequenced. The childminder's expectations of what children can achieve are, at times, too high. For instance, she expects children who cannot confidently count on rote to recognise numerals and count with one-to-one correspondence. Consequently, children become disengaged and lose their motivation to learn. This does not help to prepare children for the next stage in their learning well enough.

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need to do better?

n The childminder does not have a secure understanding of how to plan and implement a broad and interesting curriculum. Although she monitors children's development regularly, she does not use her observations to sequence children's learning effectively. This means that activities do not consistently build on children's existing skills and knowledge. Consequently, at times, children lose concentration and their eagerness to learn. n The childminder puts a great deal of effort into supporting children's communication and language development. She models the correct pronunciation of words and speaks clearly and slowly to children. They hear a range of different words and phrases. This helps children, particularly those who speak English as an additional language, to become confident communicators. n The childminder has completed some mandatory training, such as first aid. However, she does not access a program of professional development to help

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need to do better?

improve her understanding of the different ways that children learn. For instance, planned activities are very narrow in focus and overly adult directed. Children are not given the opportunity to explore at their own pace and lead their own play. This has a negative impact on the quality of their learning experience. n The childminder is kind and supportive. She provides lovely role modelling and hand-over-hand support when teaching children new skills, such as using a rolling pin. Her constant narration about what is happening now and next helps

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need to do better?

12 October 2022 children to feel secure and supports their emotional well-being. n Overall, partnership working with parents is in place. The childminder shares information about the children's day and keeps parents up to date with their development. She offers ideas of how parents can extend children's learning at home. However, the information gathered from parents when children first start is not robust. It does not help the childminder to find out what children already know and can do when they start. Consequently, this hinders her ability to plan activities based on children's needs and interests from the beginning. n Children are developing their fine motor skills well. They demonstrate good hand-eye coordination as they grip and fit pieces to a jigsaw board. Children use their problem-solving skills to negotiate which piece fits correctly. They show delight when they are successful. This boosts children's self-confidence and self-

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need to do better?

esteem. n The childminder supports children to learn about what contributes to a healthy lifestyle. She provides a healthy, balanced diet and encourages children to make healthy choices, for instance between different fruits and yogurts. Children have opportunities to be active each day. They visit the local park and go for walks in the fresh air. This helps to promote children's overall good health.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of her role and responsibility to keep children safe. She understands about safeguarding issues, such as female genital mutilation and domestic abuse. The childminder has robust procedures in place for referring concerns about children. She understands the procedures to follow if an allegation is made against her or a member of her household. The childminder is alert to the indicators that a child or family may be at risk of being drawn into extreme behaviours.

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Due date

implement a broad and balanced curriculum that builds on what children already know and can do 17/12/2022

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Due date

implement a program of professional development to improve skills and knowledge and raise the quality of education to a good level. 23/11/2022

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should:

n strengthen the arrangements for obtaining information from parents about what children already know and can do when they first start.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY271859 Local authority St Helens Inspection number 10234754 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 22 November 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2004 and lives in St. Helens, Merseyside. She operates all year round, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She provides funded education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 childminder gave the inspector a tour of the setting and discussed how the curriculum is planned and implemented. n The inspector observed the quality of education indoors and evaluated the impact on children's learning. n Discussions were held with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. Written feedback from parents was considered. n A leadership and management meeting was held with the childminder. Documentation relating to the suitability of people living and working on the premises was checked. The inspector looked at qualification certificates and paediatric first-aid certificates.

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Inspection activities

12 October 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

12 October 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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