Childminder in Stockport

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

Children's safety cannot be assured. The childminder has failed to ensure that all assistants are suitable before allowing them to work alone with children, such as escorting them from school. Assistants who have not been vetted undertake personal care routines and are included in the ratios. Record-keeping is weak. The childminder is unable to evidence that assistants, who at times are in sole charge of children, hold a paediatric first-aid certificate. The childminder has not ensured that assistants have a secure understanding of safeguarding procedures. As a result, children's safety is compromised.

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The provision is inadequate

Nevertheless, children are happy and content in the care of the childminder and her assistants. Children are motivated learners. They develop a love of literature and keenly listen to assorted story books. Younger children delight in opening flaps in books. They make animal sounds in response to the image that sits behind the flap. Children are introduced to reading from a young age, in readiness for future learning in school.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children display positive attitudes and are very independent. For example, they sit on the step and put on their shoes. Children put on their coats and are starting to fasten the zips. They capably feed themselves, with a little support, if needed, and even help to load the dishwasher after lunch.

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The provision is inadequate

Relationships between the childminder, assistants and children are friendly and caring. They laugh and giggle together during a game of 'hidey boo'. Children seek out the childminder and assistants for a cuddle, secure in their close attachments. These caring relationships in a homely environment help children to acquire a strong sense of belonging. Children truly delight in being part of the childminder's 'gang'.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is already including an assistant in her ratios who has not been vetted and deemed suitable by Ofsted. This does not assure children's safety. n The childminder has provided safeguarding training to her assistants. However, this fails to cover to whom they should report any concerns about the childminder. Assistants do not know the steps to take if they are worried about the behaviour of the childminder. This compromises children's welfare. n The childminder is unable to provide evidence that her assistant holds a valid paediatric first-aid qualification. The assistant has sole care of children during the walk from school. In the event of an accident or incident, the assistant is not considered qualified to deal with any minor injuries to a child. n Self-evaluation processes have failed to identify weaknesses in policies and

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need to do better?

16 May 2023 procedures. This means that aspects of practice have declined or have been overlooked. A number of breaches to the safeguarding and welfare requirements have been identified. For example, the childminder failed to notify Ofsted of a significant event, which is a requirement of her registration. n The childminder does not keep an accurate record of children's attendance. In an emergency situation or if an allegation is made, the childminder is unable to evidence the times children have been in her care or the care of another person. n The curriculum is interesting and varied. Children are developing confidence and skills ready for future learning. However, some activities are not precisely planned to build on what individual children need to learn next. The childminder does not always teach the sequential knowledge needed for children to make the best progress possible. For example, she often asks the same questions and

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need to do better?

gives the same instructions to all children. Younger children do not always understand the activity or what is being asked of them. n Children are exposed to nature and the world around them. They learn to care about and support their community. Children help with selecting food at the local shops and fetch sausages from the nearby charcuterie. They are involved in activities such as 'No Mow May'. Children help the childminder to replenish bird feeders to attract small wildlife into the area. Children are prepared well for life in modern Britain. n Partnership working is strong. Links with parents and the local primary school are in place. Parents receive regular updates about children's care and learning. They are given helpful tips on how they can continue to support learning at home. This collaborative approach helps children to make good progress. n Children's awareness of number and colour is promoted by the childminder. For

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need to do better?

example, children select coloured pegs and fit them into the corresponding colour on a peg board. Children use mathematical language as they match, count and learn about shape and size. During active play in tents and dens, children try to squeeze their whole bodies into boxes and declare, 'I'm too big'. n The childminder works closely with her assistants and models some good practice. The childminder also joins a regular online forum for local childminders. She has maintained some good practice since the last inspection. The childminder recently accessed communication and language training. Language is modelled well, and children are learning to use phonetic sounds. However, the childminder does not routinely review the practice of her assistants to identify any gaps in knowledge and areas for improvement. n The childminder and assistant form secure attachments with children. They focus on promoting good health and well-being. Children enjoy nutritious, home-

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need to do better?

cooked meals and have frequent opportunities for physically active play. They climb nimbly through tunnels. The childminder provides rich experiences outside of the home environment. These include a recent visit to a museum. n Children learn that people may be different to themselves. Diversity is celebrated and accepted. The childminder provides toys and resources to promote inclusion. Children dress up in costumes that reflect the jobs of family members. They engage in pretend play, using puppets and dolls that promote disability, race and age awareness.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.4

Safeguarding

Assistants whose suitability has not been verified work directly with children. They have unsupervised contact with children and help with changing children's nappies. Therefore, children's safety and welfare are compromised. The required records for first aid and children's attendance are not maintained. This poses a risk in the event of an emergency. The childminder understands child protection procedures, including what to do in the event of an allegation being made. However, she has not ensured that assistants understand the correct steps to take if they have any concerns about her conduct. Nevertheless, the childminder's home environment is well maintained and secure. Risk assessments are completed, and these include how to keep children safe on outings. The childminder's pet dog is friendly, and he is usually kept in the lounge away from the children's play areas. Children are not left unsupervised with the dog.

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Due date

ensure assistants are suitable before they are counted in ratios 13/06/2023

p.4

Due date

maintain an accurate record of children's hours of attendance 13/06/2023

p.4

Due date

ensure that assistants understand the correct child protection procedures to follow in the event of an allegation being made against the childminder 13/06/2023

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Due date

ensure people in sole charge of children for any period of time hold a full and current paediatric first-aid certificate. 13/06/2023

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should:

n strengthen the curriculum intent to build on what individual children know and can do n focus more precisely on the training and professional development of assistants n improve self-evaluation to identify any areas of development and take action to address identified weaknesses.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY101871 Local authority Stockport Inspection number 10291075 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 18 Number of children on roll 23 Date of previous inspection 16 May 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2002 and lives in the Heaton Moor area of Stockport. She employs six assistants, who all work on a part-time basis. The childminder operates all year round, from 7am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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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 setting. n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the childminder. n The quality of education was observed, and the inspector assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector viewed the premises, and the curriculum intent was discussed during a learning walk. n The childminder and the inspector evaluated an activity together. n Relevant documentation was checked and discussed, such as policies and procedures and training certificates. The inspector reviewed the childminder's self-evaluation and checked evidence of her suitability and the suitability of assistants and household members. n Children were observed, to capture their voices.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder, the inspector and assistant held ongoing discussions throughout the inspection. n Parents were spoken to, and their views were obtained.

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Inspection activities

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

16 May 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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