Childminder in Staffordshire

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

Significant weaknesses in practice have a negative impact on children's health and safety. The childminder fails to record all medication given to children. For example, when administering inhalers, procedures are not robust. The childminder does not recognise all potential choking hazard associated with children walking around as they eat. She does not identify and remove risks in the environment swiftly enough. Consequently, children do not learn to keep themselves safe.

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The provision is inadequate

Despite this, children settle, and they behave well. Their parents say, 'they are greeted by the childminder with a smile and a big hug.' Children are sociable, and they share their experiences positively. For instance, they talk about the activities they enjoy and their favourite places to go with the childminder, such as parks and places of historic interest.

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The provision is inadequate

Children have a wealth of resources to choose from, and they lead their own play. This positively contributes towards their happiness at the setting. The childminder sensitively supports all children to express themselves. This helps children to respond appropriately when faced with an emotional experience. For example, they tell the childminder, 'there are no spaces at the sand tray', and this makes them sad. This helps the childminder to evaluate barriers in learning and respond positively to ensure inclusion for all children.

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need to do better?

n Children's safety is compromised. The childminder is not vigilant enough in assessing hazards in the environment, including the risk of cross-contamination and choking. For example, children do not develop an understanding of the importance of not sharing toothbrushes during play. This poses potential risks to children's safety and increases the probability of ill health, serious injuries and accidents. As a result, children's safety cannot be assured. n Procedures for recording medication are weak. Although the childminder obtains written permissions from parents to administer medication to children, she fails to keep a written record for administering inhalers that states each time the medication has been given. This means that children are at risk of ill health and their safety cannot be assured. n The childminder plans her curriculum with some consideration of what children need to learn. This helps children to develop some skills that will help them in

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need to do better?

the next stage of their education, such as early communication skills. The childminder considers children's interests when planning activities, and she expands on their experiences during their play. This ensures their engagement in learning, and they make progress. n Children have opportunities to independently practise self-help skills. For

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need to do better?

2 December 2022 example, they wash their own hands before they select their choice of fruit, and they butter their own toast. They show control in their physical movements as they spread the butter with a knife. These opportunities offer children responsibility in their routine. This positively contributes towards children developing confidence in their capabilities. n The childminder evaluates the opportunities the community can provide to children to enhance their developing skills. For example, she supports children to practise their social skills and behaviours as they meet new people in the local village. As a result, children gain a sense of belonging as part of the community. n Children benefit from copious amounts of time to engage in imaginative play. They enjoy making 'spaghetti bolognaise' in the pretend kitchen, and they show confidence in their language skills. For example, they name each ingredient as

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need to do better?

they make the 'bolognaise,' and they count the number of plates they need. This shows that learning is embedded, as children use their prior knowledge to positively lead their own play. n Children enjoy activities that promote their oral health. For example, they explore a variety of fruits at snack time, and they practise how to brush their teeth. They learn words such as 'left' and 'right' as they move the toothbrush across their mouth. This helps children to establish some positive habits to support their future self-care routines. n The childminder works in partnership with parents. For example, she ensures that their views are accounted for and help children to settle. Parents comment on the assessments the childminder completes for all children. They acknowledge how assessments help to further support children's learning at home. This helps children to make progress from their starting points. n The childminder shows a willingness to improve. She is part of an active

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need to do better?

childminding group, where she benefits from liaising with other professionals to focus on areas of improvement to enhance next steps for professional development.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder can demonstrate the signs and symptoms that might indicate a child is at risk of neglect or abuse, including changes in their behaviour. However, ineffective risk assessments at the setting compromise children's health and safety. Risk assessments are not rigorous enough, and therefore not all risks and hazards are identified and addressed, including activities that increase the likelihood of cross-contamination. This compromises children's good health. Furthermore, the childminder does not demonstrate sufficient knowledge of procedures for recording medication given to children. The childminder knows the correct procedures to follow should they have concerns about a child's welfare. She understands her role in relation to the 'Prevent' duty guidance and safeguarding issues, such as extremist views.

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Due date

improve risk assessments to ensure potential risks and hazards to children are identified and minimised 16/12/2022

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Due date

keep records of any medication given and retain these for two years for each child you look after. 16/12/2022

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY437691 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10263905 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 3 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection 16 May 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2012 and lives in Wolverhampton. She operates all year round, from 7.45am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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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 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 foundations stage curriculum. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while with the childminder. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children. n The childminder and inspector discussed how the curriculum has been implemented and the impact that this has on children's learning. n The views of parents were considered by the inspector, through verbal discussions, telephone calls and letters. n Relevant documentation was reviewed by the inspector, including medication

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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

2 December 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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