Childminder in Westmorland and Furness

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

The childminder has not held a valid paediatric first-aid qualification for a significant period. She is also unclear about the procedures to follow should a child sustain an injury, such as a burn. This compromises children's safety in the event of an accident or incident. Additionally, the childminder does not ensure that her assistants have an appropriate level of safeguarding knowledge. This has a significant impact on the safety and well-being of children.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Despite weaknesses, children form warm relationships with the childminder and her assistant. They settle in quickly and are happy in the childminder's home and care. For example, babies who are new to the setting fall asleep in the arms of the childminder's assistant.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children play with their friends and are confident to approach visitors to the setting. They choose what they would like to play with and invite their friends to join them. Children are happy to join adult-led activities and show engagement in their play. They behave well and understand what the childminder expects of them. Children understand the routines of the day and what will happen next. For example, they know that after story time, it will be lunchtime.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children enjoy outings to the local park, where they practise their physical skills as they run around and climb on the play equipment. They attend sessions at a local zoo where they feed and learn about animals, such as giraffes and penguins. Children learn about celebrations such as Rosh Hashanah. This helps them begin to understand diversity in modern Britain.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has not taken steps to rectify identified breaches of requirements. She has not updated her first-aid qualification, which expired in 2021. Additionally, she does not ensure that required documentation is readily available. For example, her public liability insurance is not accessible and available for inspection. These breaches do not ensure the safe and efficient management of her provision, which puts children at risk. n The childminder has not acted on recommendations made at her previous inspection. She does not have suitable arrangements to support her assistants to ensure that their knowledge and practice are of a sufficiently high standard. This means that gaps in her assistants' safeguarding knowledge and first-aid training have not been identified or addressed. These weaknesses further compromise children's safety. n The childminder communicates effectively with parents and shares information

p.2

need to do better?

about their children's development. She uses her own knowledge and

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need to do better?

8 November 2022 observations of children to assess their starting points. Parents comment positively on how their children's confidence has grown since they have been with the childminder. n The childminder has effective systems in place for ongoing monitoring and assessment of children's progress. She plans for their learning, building on what they already know and can do. This helps children make good progress. n The childminder identifies gaps in children's learning and liaises with parents and other professionals to access appropriate support. She understands the need to put interim strategies in place while referrals are underway. This means that children do not fall further behind in their learning and development. n The childminder helps children begin to understand early mathematical concepts. She helps them learn to count during everyday activities and uses mathematical vocabulary such as 'more' and 'less'. As a result, children are

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need to do better?

developing confidence in understanding number. n Children listen attentively as the childminder's assistant reads stories to them. They join in with familiar songs and actions. The childminder uses words such as 'crunchy' and 'smooth' as children investigate autumn leaves. This helps to build their vocabulary and enhances their understanding. n The childminder does not fully support children's growing independence. She helps them learn to put on and take off their own coats and shoes. However, the childminder and her assistant often do things for children that they could try to do for themselves. The childminder also does not place a strong enough focus on toilet training. Children are not consistently encouraged to manage their own self-care needs. This means that children are not fully supported in developing their independence skills.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a sound understanding of safeguarding policies and procedures. However, she does not ensure that her assistants are trained to the same level. The childminder understands the indicators of abuse and knows the procedure to follow if she has a concern about the welfare of a child or about the behaviour of her assistants. However, her assistants do not share this understanding. They are unclear about how to escalate any concerns that they may have about a child in their care or about the childminder. This compromises children's well-being in the event of a child protection concern. The childminder ensures that areas in her home accessed by children are secure and clean.

p.3

Due date

ensure that a valid paediatric first-aid qualification is obtained 07/12/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure public liability insurance is readily available and accessible for inspection 07/12/2022

p.4

Due date

provide support and training for assistants, to ensure they have a thorough understanding of safeguarding policies and practice. 07/12/2022

p.4

should:

n provide further opportunities to help develop children's independence and self- care skills.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY493823 Local authority Cumbria Inspection number 10236735 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 7 Date of previous inspection 12 January 2017

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015. She lives in Dalton in Furness, Cumbria. The childminder works with two assistants. The childminder and her assistants all hold early years qualifications at level 3. They provide care from 7.30am until 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder is registered to provide funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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 discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their early years foundation stage curriculum. n The inspector spoke to the childminder's assistant and took account of their views. n Children interacted with the inspector throughout the inspection. n Several parents shared their views, which were taken into account by the inspector. n The childminder and the inspector observed and discussed learning activities together. n The inspector looked at a sample of relevant documentation provided by the childminder.

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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

8 November 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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