Childminder in Wirral

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 Inadequate

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The provision requires improvement

The curriculum is not planned well enough to help the childminder to fill gaps in children's learning swiftly and to help children to make the best progress possible. However, some incidental learning takes place. Children gain some of the basic skills they need in readiness for school when the childminder plays alongside them. She speaks clearly to encourage children to pronounce words correctly and counts while children play, which helps to introduce numbers to younger children. Some activities, such as looking at books and singing, help to support aspects of children's language development. Children's physical development benefits from plenty of fresh air and exercise. Children play in the garden and enjoy outings, which help them to experience nature. For example, children visit a field regularly, where they hunt for bugs and look at the horses.

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The provision requires improvement

Overall, children are happy, relate well to each other and have a secure relationship with the childminder. They interacted confidently with the inspector, which demonstrates that they feel emotionally secure. For example, they showed her books and asked for help to mend items, such as the lid on the toy jug. Children learn to take turns as they play. For example, the childminder holds the bubble mixture while each child takes a turn at blowing the bubble wand. Children show care and concern for each other. For example, a young child cuddles an older child who has been stung by nettles.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder has made some improvements since the last inspection. She has reduced the number of children on roll so she can better meet the needs of those attending each day. She has also started to implement what she has learned from webinars and training. Some recent training has focused on what the childminder needs to improve, such as planning to meet the needs of children. However, she does not evaluate her practice sufficiently to ensure that she consistently meets the statutory requirements and makes ongoing improvements. In addition, she has failed to display a current registration certificate at her setting. n The childminder gathers useful information from parents before children start. This helps her to identify each child's usual routines and what they already know and can do. The childminder talks with parents about their child's day and sends information, such as newsletters, through an electronic messaging system.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder is aware of each child's abilities and interests. She is beginning to consider how she can build on what children already know when planning activities based on children's interests. However, she does not focus sufficiently on what she wants children to learn when planning or delivering activities. This limits the progress made by children, including children with special educational

p.2

need to do better?

19 April 2023 needs and/or disabilities and those in receipt of additional funding. n Since the last inspection, the childminder has started to improve the environment. Outdoors, in addition to being physically active, children who prefer to learn on a larger scale are beginning to have opportunities to develop other skills. For example, children are starting to play imaginatively with toy animals in an area being created. Indoors, the childminder suggests an activity and asks children if they would like to do it. However, opportunities for them to choose resources independently and lead their own play are limited. n Opportunities for children to develop their literacy skills are inconsistent. Children choose books to read and turn the pages appropriately. However, opportunities to practise early writing skills are limited. Although a chalkboard easel is set up in the newly developed outdoor writing area, there were no

p.2

need to do better?

chalks available on the day of inspection. n Although the childminder assesses children's level of speech and language, she does not focus on supporting their speaking skills as they play. She does not focus sufficiently on how she will introduce new vocabulary and extend children's speaking skills. n Indoors, the expected behaviour rules are displayed and the childminder reminds children of them. However, outdoors, the childminder does not consistently develop children's understanding of why rules are in place and how to stay safe. For example, she does not explain why children must not go near the pile of items waiting to be taken to the waste disposal site. When a child's fingers are stung on nettles, she does not explain how to deal with this or how to prevent a reoccurrence. This limits children's ability to learn how to manage risks for themselves.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Children move between indoors and outdoors, which the childminder has made secure so that children cannot leave unsupervised. The childminder knows how to identify and report concerns about children's welfare. She demonstrates an improved understanding of how to place children down to sleep safely in line with government safety guidance. Since the last inspection, new travel cots, mats and bedding are available for children who may need to sleep during the day. The childminder disinfects the new changing mat and applies anti-bacterial gel to her hands between nappy changes. These changes to equipment and routines have improved children's hygiene, health and safety.

p.3

Due date

19 April 2023 develop a more secure knowledge of the 'Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage' requirements and evaluate more effectively to review practice and identify areas for improvement 17/05/2023

p.3

Due date

focus more precisely on what children need to learn when planning and supporting activities to help raise the quality of education 17/05/2023

p.4

Due date

display the current certificate of registration in the setting at all times while operating, as required. 17/05/2023

p.4

should:

n support children to learn risk management strategies for themselves when exploring outdoors and engaging in challenging play activities.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY439399 Local authority Wirral Inspection number 10269458 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 7 Date of previous inspection 22 November 2022

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2012 and lives in Wirral. She operates from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 5. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

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 childminder. n The inspector viewed the space and resources available for childminding to gain an understanding of how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children throughout the inspection and evaluated the impact on children's learning. n A joint observation was carried out by the inspector and the childminder. n The inspector looked at a sample of documents, including evidence of the childminder's training. n The inspector spoke to some children during the inspection and took account of the written views of parents, provided by the childminder.

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Inspection activities

19 April 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

19 April 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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