Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

Children's safety and well-being are not assured. Although the childminder took action to meet specific legal requirements following the previous inspection, further safeguarding and welfare requirements are now not met. Children's health is compromised in the event of them requiring emergency medical treatment. This is because the childminder has failed to maintain her paediatric first-aid certificate. The childminder is also unable to provide previously available records intended to ensure children's welfare and the safe management of her setting. This includes records relating to children's personal details and a record of the times when children are in her care. Despite having a general awareness, the childminder does not have an up-to-date knowledge of some safeguarding issues. This poses an avoidable risk to children. Additionally, the childminder does not have a secure understanding of her responsibilities in relation to data protection, so she does not

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The provision is inadequate

ensure that information about children is managed correctly.

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The provision is inadequate

Despite the weaknesses identified, in the main, children's immediate care needs are met. Children are happy, settled and benefit from a high level of one-to-one support. They enjoy a well-established relationship with the childminder, who is thought of as an extended member of the family by both children and their parents. However, children are not fully supported to make the best possible progress in their learning and development.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has appropriate documents to record children's attendance and to collect information about them before they are left in her care. However, she does not consistently maintain the record of children's attendance. This means that while the childminder records each day a child attends the setting, she does not record their actual hours of attendance. Poor organisation also means the childminder does not have all the legally required information for each child. This poor practice puts children at risk in the case of an emergency and compromises the safe and effective management of her provision. n Poor organisation means the childminder has failed to maintain a current paediatric first-aid certificate while caring for the children. This is a breach of a legal requirement and compromises children's well-being in the event of them requiring emergency medical treatment. n The childminder has taken some steps to improve her knowledge and

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need to do better?

understanding of safeguarding issues and procedures, but there are still gaps in her knowledge. This compromises children safety and welfare. n The childminder does not fully understand how to assess children's current capabilities. She is not aware of the requirement to complete a progress check when a child is between two and three years of age. Weakness in assessment

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need to do better?

29 March 2023 means that the childminder is unable to precisely identify children's next steps and plan a well-sequenced educational programme. Despite this, the childminder uses her knowledge of what children enjoy to provide activities and experiences that excite children and help them to learn some new skills. Children excitedly recall a wide range of fun activities as they share photographs with the inspector. n The childminder provides opportunities to help children learn about the natural world through first-hand experiences. Children enjoy seeing animals when they go on trips to the farm. After listening to the story of 'The Gruffalo', children enjoy a train ride and go to search for the 'Gruffalo' in the forest. Children enjoy monitoring the wildlife in the childminder's garden. Using a photographic list, they use their emerging mark-making skills to make a record of the number of different birds that have visited the garden.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is a welcoming and positive role model. Children are supported as they learn how to recognise and manage their own feelings and behaviour. n The childminder provides a varied and nutritious menu at mealtimes. Children are encouraged to make healthy choices about the snacks they eat. n The childminder values a relaxed and informal partnership with parents. Information is routinely exchanged in relation to children's care needs and the activities they complete. Since the previous inspection, the childminder has initiated communication with other settings that children also attend to help to promote continuity in children's learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Children's safety and well-being are compromised. This is because the childminder does not have a good enough knowledge of some aspects of child protection. This means she is not able to securely identify possible indicators of abuse at the earliest opportunity, and details of existing injuries are at times not recorded. The childminder understands that she must report any allegation made against herself or a member of the household. However, she is not clear about the correct procedure to follow. Additionally, the childminder does not have a secure understanding of her responsibilities under the Data Protection Act. This means she does not ensure that information about children is managed correctly to meet legal requirements.

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Due date

29 March 2023 ensure that an appropriate first-aid qualification is in place 19/04/2023

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Due date

ensure you have an up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding issues. This must enable you to identify and understand signs of possible abuse at the earliest opportunity, ensuring you are able to respond appropriately 19/04/2023

p.4

Due date

gain a secure knowledge and understanding of the procedure to follow in the event of an allegation being made against yourself or a member of the household 19/04/2023

p.4

Due date

devise and implement a written policy which is intended to safeguard children from abuse and is in line with the guidance and procedures of the local statutory children's services agencies 19/04/2023

p.4

Due date

keep records for each child of their name and date of birth, the name, address and emergency contact details of their parents and information about who has parental responsibility 19/04/2023

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Due date

establish a secure understanding of your responsibilities under the Data Protection Legislation to ensure that information about children is managed correctly to meet legal requirements 19/04/2023

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Due date

keep a daily record of the names of children being cared for on the premises and their hours of attendance 19/04/2023

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Due date

target training and professional development opportunities to strengthen knowledge and the teaching of the curriculum 19/04/2023

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Due date

establish a secure knowledge and understanding of how to implement the progress check for children between the age of two and three years 19/04/2023

p.4

Due date

29 March 2023 assess what children know and can do and use this to plan and implement an ambitious, well-sequenced and fully informed curriculum that supports all children to make the best possible progress. 19/04/2023

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY225431 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 10247712 Type of provision Childminder

p.6

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 22 June 2022

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2003 and lives in Rudheath, Northwich, Cheshire. The childminder operates all year round, on Monday and Wednesday, from 8.30am to 5pm.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided. She assessed the impact these activities had on children's learning. n The childminder and the inspector discussed the activities and how the teaching observed extended children's understanding and linked into the learning intentions for the children. n The childminder showed the inspector around her home and garden. n Consideration was given to parents' written comments. n The childminder discussed with the childminder how the curriculum is planned and implemented.

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Inspection activities

29 March 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.

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Inspection activities

29 March 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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