Childminder in Staffordshire

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 Not applicable

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The provision requires improvement

Children and parents are greeted by the childminder with a warm welcome when they arrive. The childminder and her assistant provide emotional support and reassurance to very young children. However, the childminder does not consistently plan a well-balanced curriculum with age-appropriate activities, to help children make the progress of which they are capable. Older children often play on their own without meaningful interactions or engagement from the childminder or her assistant. Consequently, children do not make the best possible progress in their learning. Children behave well and follow the childminder's instructions. They share resources, wait for their turn and help to tidy away.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Children move around the play area confidently and the youngest children practise their walking skills. They have opportunities to build on their independence during mealtimes. Children enjoy reading books with the childminder and her assistant. They learn to share books and turn the pages carefully. Children have daily opportunities to go in the garden, for walks or to the park for fresh air and exercise. This supports children's learning of the natural environment and world around them.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder does not implement an ambitious and sequenced curriculum. Children access a range of resources, both inside and outside. However, the childminder does not plan her curriculum well enough to meet all children's individual learning needs. This does not help children to make consistently good progress. For example, the childminder does not clearly identify her intent or link activities precisely to children's next steps. n The quality of teaching is variable. The childminder observes children as they play and knows some of their next steps in learning, but she does not always extend children's knowledge and skills. She provides resources that she knows children enjoy. However, they are not always appropriately challenging for children. This means that although children make some progress, they quickly become disinterested and wander away. n Children learn about the importance of being healthy. The childminder teaches

p.2

need to do better?

children about good oral hygiene through stories and activities. The childminder encourages children to manage their own self-care needs, such as when supporting their toileting needs. Children demonstrate an increasing understanding of the routines in the day. For example, they tidy up their toys before washing their hands for lunch. Young children are active and show a willingness to explore their environment. n The childminder encourages children to play musical instruments and they sing along to familiar songs and rhymes. The childminder presses buttons on pop-up

p.2

need to do better?

28 February 2023 toys and asks children what animals they can see. She provides a range of factual and fiction books for children to choose from freely. The childminder talks to children about what they are doing, but she sometimes misses opportunities to further extend their communication and language skills. Children do not always receive the right level of stimulation to develop their curiosity and vocabulary. n Partnerships with parents are effective. The childminder gathers information before children start, such as dietary requirements. This helps to keep children safe. The childminder shares information about what children have been doing while in her care each day. This helps parents to continue children's learning at home. Parents say they feel supported with children's care routines. They enjoy receiving photographs that show information about the children's day. However, the childminder has not developed links with other settings that children attend.

p.2

need to do better?

This would further support children's care and learning. n The childminder and her assistant keep their mandatory training up to date, such as first aid and safeguarding. The childminder accesses local groups to share ideas, to support children's learning and development. However, she does not fully evaluate her own professional development needs, to enable her to extend her teaching skills and identify further opportunities to develop her practice to the highest level.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant have a good understanding of their role in safeguarding children. They know the possible signs that may indicate a child is at risk of harm and how to report concerns. The childminder understands the correct procedure to follow if an allegation is made against her or a household member. She effectively supervises children throughout the day to ensure their safety. The childminder is aware of local safeguarding issues that may have an impact on children, such as the possible signs of being at risk of extremism. She checks the premises regularly to ensure that it is a safe and secure environment for children to play.

p.3

Due date

28 February 2023 implement a purposeful curriculum and consider children's age, stage and individual development needs to plan and provide suitably challenging activities that extend their skills. 30/04/2023

p.3

should:

n identify professional development opportunities to strengthen existing knowledge and enhance the quality of teaching and education to a consistently higher level n develop partnerships with other early years settings that children attend to help provide continuity in care and learning.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 2607032 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10263745 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 8 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2020 and lives in South Staffordshire. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works with an assistant.

p.5

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 pandemic. 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 inspector and the childminder completed a learning walk to understand how the early years provision and the curriculum is organised. n A joint evaluation of a teaching activity was carried out by the inspector and the childminder. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder and her assistant and spoke to children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector took account of the views of parents. n The inspector looked at a sample of relevant documentation. This included evidence of suitability and training.

p.5

Inspection activities

28 February 2023 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

28 February 2023 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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