Childminder in Herefordshire

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is inadequate

The childminder has not understood the ratio requirements, particularly relating to making exceptions for the adult-to-child ratio. Although she meets children's learning and care needs effectively, she does not ensure the correct ratios are maintained in relation to exceptions made. This is a breach of the requirements, which means that children's safety cannot be guaranteed.

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The provision is inadequate

Children benefit from the childminder's skilful teaching, and they make good progress. Older children gain a wide range of useful skills that prepare them well for school. They have a positive attitude to learning, show curiosity and a strong desire to extend their understanding. For example, children ask why bats do not let go and fall from their perch when they sleep upside down. Children are observant and reflect on changes, such as the shape of the moon and the changing colour in the sky at sunset.

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The provision is inadequate

Children behave well and play together harmoniously. The childminder communicates her high expectations clearly, and children understand the rules that are in place. They make choices from an exciting range of open-ended resources to initiate their own play ideas. For example, children work together as a team as they each hold one end of a string of beads and suggest ideas to their friends, such as 'moving it like a wobbly snake.'

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need to do better?

n The childminder, who also works with a co-childminder, has failed to identify where her practice breaches the legal requirements. The childminder does not ensure that all assistants understand her policies and procedures to safeguard children. This puts children's safety at potential risk. n The childminder is committed to her continuing professional development and completes regular training. For example, she is currently researching various teaching approaches to extend her strong knowledge and skills even further. However, the childminder has failed to provide all assistants with an effective induction. This includes safeguarding arrangements and procedures to follow in the event of a fire. This compromises children's safety. n Teaching is good. The childminder has a thorough understanding of child development. She has used this knowledge to develop an ambitious curriculum that reflects the needs and interests of the children who attend the setting. For

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need to do better?

example, the childminder skilfully identifies how to help children to continually build on their ability to manage their feelings and behaviour. She helps three- year-old-children to develop the language they need and self-control to verbalise how they are feeling. n The childminder monitors progress thoroughly and works closely with parents to

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need to do better?

13 December 2022 review children's achievements. She works with other professionals, such as speech and language therapists, to implement targeted support plans for children. Overall, she plans well for children's learning. However, the childminder does not fully consider the wide range of children's learning needs and their stage of development when she plans for large-group activities. n The childminder supports children's communication and language development skilfully. She has a very well-planned education programme to help children to build on their skills. She helps older children to extend their vocabulary and gain a secure understanding of the meaning of new words. For example, children learn new words to describe the properties of materials. They observe the features of a raw egg when it is cracked open and use the word 'translucent' to describe it. Children then explore their understanding of this new word and find

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need to do better?

other materials that are translucent. n Parent partnerships are good. The childminder ensures that parents have the opportunities they need to discuss their child's progress. She provides them with ideas to support children's continued learning at home. n Children form a close bond with the childminder, and she supports their emotional development well. They happily involve the childminder in their play and talk about their worries. The childminder sensitively helps them to explore their misconceptions and identifies how she can further broaden their understanding.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder does not take all necessary measures to ensure children's safety. She has a secure understanding of the signs and symptoms that may indicate that a child is at risk of harm or neglect. The childminder attends regular safeguarding training. She knows how to report concerns to the relevant local safeguarding partnership and ensures that she has the most up-to-date contact details. However, the childminder does not implement effective induction arrangements to ensure that all assistants understand her safeguarding policy and reporting procedures. This includes reporting allegations about an adult who works at the setting. Although her assistant is aware of signs of abuse and neglect, the childminder has not provided her with effective training to help her to fully understand all aspects of safeguarding children, such as those associated with 'Prevent' duty and extreme views.

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Due date

13 December 2022 improve understanding of the ratio requirements, particularly when making exceptions to the usual ratios 03/01/2023

p.3

Due date

ensure that assistants receive induction training that helps them to understand their roles and responsibilities to safeguarding children. 03/01/2023

p.4

should:

n improve planning of group activities that involve children at different stages of their development to maximise the learning opportunities for babies and fully engage them.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2597315 Local authority Herefordshire Inspection number 10251430 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 12 Number of children on roll 22 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2020 and lives in Worcester. She operates all year round, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for family holidays. She holds an early years qualification at level 3. The childminder receives funding to provide free early years education for two- and three-year-old children. The childminder works with her co-childminder and assistants.

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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 childminder. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure it is safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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Inspection activities

13 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

13 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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