Childminder in Merton

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 enjoy attending the childminder's home and are able to select from a range of resources that they would like to play with. However, the quality of education is variable, as the childminder does not always understand what children need to learn next. Consequently, some children do not always engage in meaningful activities and their learning is often incidental.

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The provision requires improvement

Children are safe and comfortable in the childminder's home. They understand the daily routines. For example, they know when and where to wash their hands, where to sit when eating lunch and where to find their belongings when getting ready to go outside. Children are encouraged to persevere with tasks, such as building a high tower with wooden blocks. They laugh and clap with excitement when the tower topples over, showing their enjoyment and sense of achievement.

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The provision requires improvement

Children concentrate as they squeeze paint out of a tube and use their fingers to mix the colours. They receive plenty of praise and encouragement from the attentive childminder, which helps to build their self-esteem and confidence. Children's behaviour is, overall, appropriate for their age.

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need to do better?

n The childminder does not plan the learning environment outdoors to provide children with a stimulating learning environment. For example, the garden is unkempt and is cluttered with old toys. The childminder does not provide activities to support children's imaginations or creativity. As a result, while outside, children do not reach their full learning potential. n Parents speak highly of the childminder. They mention that she is warm and kind and that their children are prepared for the next stage of their education. Parents' written testimonies comment that their children's language is well supported and that communication is strong. n Children are generally becoming confident and inquisitive learners. However, the childminder does not always focus on high-quality interactions and activities to further extend children's learning. This does not provide children with effective support that challenges them. At times, the childminder provides activities which

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need to do better?

are not sufficiently matched to children's interests. For example, young children are taught phonics which they do not fully engage with. This results in children becoming restless and the potential for their learning being lost. n The childminder supports children's growing vocabulary well, especially those children who have gaps in their communication development. Children enjoy stories and rhymes. They clap and count the fruit in the story about a hungry caterpillar. Children develop a love of stories and make sound progress in their language development.

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need to do better?

5 December 2022 n At times, children show high levels of engagement. For example, they concentrate well to place large pots into size order. With gentle encouragement from the childminder, children learn about sequencing and simple mathematical concepts such as 'bigger' and 'smaller'. n Children build secure attachments with the childminder, which helps to support their emotional well-being. Children become independent in their self-care, such as washing their hands and going to the toilet. However, the childminder does not consistently support children to do things for themselves, such as putting on a coat or getting themselves ready to go outside. As a result, children's independence skills are variable. n The childminder understands the importance of supporting children's speech and language development. She implements effective strategies in order to help children who need support with speech. Children are given time to respond,

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need to do better?

which helps to extend their thinking skills. For example, during a painting activity, the childminder introduces new words. Children are delighted when she praises them when they say colour names for the first time. n The childminder has access to professional development online. She has updated her skills on supporting children's emotional health and, as a result, has prioritised this when delivering her curriculum. Consequently, the childminder is very attentive towards children's emotional needs, which parents comment is a real strength. Parents appreciate the strong bond that their children form with the childminder. n The childminder supports children to learn about the wider community. They visit local parks and take trips to the library. Children learn about how to keep themselves safe online and about healthy practices, such as the importance of looking after their teeth. Parents receive information about supporting their

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need to do better?

children with healthy eating and internet safety.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder regularly updates her safeguarding training, and she is aware of her responsibilities should she have concerns about a child's welfare. She demonstrates a suitable knowledge of the signs and symptoms that indicate that a child may be at risk, including risks of extreme views and behaviours, county lines and female genital mutilation. The childminder follows the correct procedures to make sure that others who live on the premises are suitable to be around children.

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Due date

5 December 2022 ensure that outside spaces where children play and learn are kept clean and tidy at all times to make sure that children reach their full learning potential outside. 06/03/2023

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should:

n develop the curriculum in the outdoor area for all children n use what is known about children to plan precisely for every child, to build on and extend their learning further n maximise opportunities for children to develop their independence skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY363691 Local authority Merton Inspection number 10235155 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 1 Date of previous inspection 15 February 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2007. She lives in Mitcham, in the London Borough of Merton. She offers flexible care from Monday to Friday, between 7.30am and 6pm, throughout the year. The childminder holds a relevant level 3 qualification.

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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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector carried out an observation of an activity that the childminder had planned for children. n The inspector observed interactions between children and the childminder. n The inspector considered the written and verbal views of parents. n The inspector looked at a range of documentation, including the childminder's paediatric first-aid certificate and suitability checks on others living on the premises. n The childminder showed the inspector around areas of her home where children play, learn, eat and sleep.

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Inspection activities

5 December 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

5 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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