Early years · Childminder inspection (EIF)
Ritchie Kathleen
Summary
What we read, and from where
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- Inspection date verified
19 May 2023
- Inspectors verified
Sue Bradford
- Behaviour and attitudes verified
Requires improvement
- Leadership and management verified
Requires improvement
- Overall effectiveness verified
Requires improvement
- Personal development verified
Requires improvement
- Previous overall verified
Good
- Quality of education verified
Good
- Name on report verified
Childminder report
- URN verified
504672
Deep dive
What this report says
In plain English
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Grade profile
Hollow rings show the previous inspection, 2017.
- OverallRequires improvement
- Behaviour and attitudesRequires improvement
- Leadership and managementRequires improvement
- Personal developmentRequires improvement
- Quality of educationGood
6% of comparable inspections in the last three years were graded Requires improvement (17,905 inspections).
Tone of the report
How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.
In line with other reports of this type graded Requires improvement.
Markers show where typical reports of each grade sit.
How the report reads, start to finish
Every paragraph in order, sized by length. Tap one to see it on the page.
Strengths
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Concerns
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
- The childminder and her assistants have a good knowledge of the signs and symptoms that indicate a child may be at risk of harm or abuse. p.3
- They understand the procedures they must follow to report any concerns. p.3
- In the event an allegation is made against herself or her assistants, the childminder knows the procedures she must follow to report these concerns. p.3
Next steps
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
- The childminder and her assistants do not use effective or appropriate strategies to manage the behaviours of very young children. p.2
- Therefore, the youngest children at the setting do not learn how to regulate their feelings and emotions. p.2
- Older children behave well and respond positively to instructions given by the childminder and her assistants. p.2
- They are encouraged to use kind words and 'gentle hands' and to treat each other with respect. p.2
- Children are happy to attend this setting. p.2
- They are greeted with affection and attention by the childminder and her assistants as they arrive. p.2
- Children feel safe and secure as they confidently wave off their parents and hang up their coats. p.2
- The childminder and her assistants talk knowledgeably with children about their families and home life. p.2
What the report dwells on
Topics by how often they come up, coloured by how they are described. Open one for an example.
Communication & language6
“These interactions support children's language and communication development effectively.” p.2
Anatomy of the report
How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.
- Pages
- 7
- Words of findings
- 834
- about usual (typical 810)
- Reading level
- Hard
- Flesch 48, typical 52
- Average sentence
- 15 words
- Next steps
- 8
- typical 8
- Hedged sentences
- 2%
- “some”, “not always”, “most”…
Where the words go
Full report text
Overall effectiveness Requires improvement
The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good
p.1
The provision requires improvement
The childminder and her assistants do not use effective or appropriate strategies to manage the behaviours of very young children. Therefore, the youngest children at the setting do not learn how to regulate their feelings and emotions. Older children behave well and respond positively to instructions given by the childminder and her assistants. They are encouraged to use kind words and 'gentle hands' and to treat each other with respect. Children are happy to attend this setting. They are greeted with affection and attention by the childminder and her assistants as they arrive. Children feel safe and secure as they confidently wave off their parents and hang up their coats. The childminder and her assistants talk knowledgeably with children about their families and home life.
p.2
The provision requires improvement
Children are eager and excited to explore the exciting and engaging activities that are planned for them. They have fun and enjoy their learning. For example, they use small toys to role play real-life experiences, such as going on holiday and building sandcastles. The childminder and her assistants actively engage with children during activities. They read stories, sing songs, play games and share new vocabulary with children, such as 'rock pools' and 'coral'. These interactions support children's language and communication development effectively. Children enjoy playing outside in the large, well-equipped garden area. They develop important physical skills as they run, climb and carefully manoeuvre obstacles while riding bicycles.
p.2
need to do better?
n The childminder does not consistently use appropriate ways to manage younger children's behaviour. At times, the childminder and her assistants put younger children into a highchair to prevent them from accessing others and disrupting their play. This does not teach young children how to learn to regulate their own emotions or develop their social skills. Furthermore, the childminder does not keep a record of when these strategies have been implemented, in line with the requirements of the early years foundation stage. n The childminder and her assistants know children very well. They obtain important information about what children know, understand and can do before they start at the setting. They then plan a curriculum based on seasonal topics that engage children and reflect their personal interests. Children make good progress because the childminder plans learning opportunities and activities that
p.2
need to do better?
build on children's prior learning and development. n The childminder and her assistants understand the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on children's learning and development. They identified that children's social interactions and self-confidence were impacted on during the pandemic. In response, the childminder planned lots of opportunities for children
p.2
need to do better?
19 May 2023 to go on local trips, play games and interact with each other, to help build their social skills. n The childminder teaches children about healthy lifestyles. She provides snacks of healthy fruit and vegetables and talks to children about foods that are good for them. Children enjoy healthy, home-cooked meals, such as cottage pie and pasta dishes. Children learn about good oral hygiene, and they have lots of opportunity to play and learn outside. This helps to keep children healthy and develops important physical skills. n Children learn about the wider community when they go on trips, such as pumpkin picking and visiting local parks, garden centres and shops. Children recall and talk excitedly about the time they all went on a train ride and had lunch at a restaurant. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents talk favourably about the childminder and her assistants. They report that they are regularly updated
p.2
need to do better?
about their children's development and progress, and they know how they can continue to support their children's learning at home. However, the childminder and her assistants do not share appropriate strategies with parents to support the behaviour development of younger children and promote consistency between home and the setting. n The assistants feel that they are supported well by the childminder. They attend regular team meetings, where they discuss the progress and development of individual children. The childminder provides them with coaching and safeguarding updates that support them in their roles.
p.3
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
p.3
Safeguarding
The childminder and her assistants have a good knowledge of the signs and symptoms that indicate a child may be at risk of harm or abuse. They understand the procedures they must follow to report any concerns. In the event an allegation is made against herself or her assistants, the childminder knows the procedures she must follow to report these concerns. The childminder routinely checks the indoor and outdoor learning environments to ensure that they are safe and fit for purpose. The childminder and her assistants attend safeguarding training to keep their safeguarding knowledge and understanding up to date. The childminder implements her policies and procedures effectively to help ensure the safety and welfare of children.
p.3
Due date
19 May 2023 implement effective strategies to manage and support the behaviour of younger children 22/06/2023
p.3
Due date
record occasions where physical intervention is used in line with requirements of the early years foundation stage. 01/06/2023
p.4
should:
n share behaviour management strategies with parents to help develop consistency between home and the setting.
p.4
Setting details
Unique reference number 504672 Local authority Birmingham Inspection number 10285507 Type of provision Childminder
p.5
Registers
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder
p.5
inspection
Total number of places 18 Number of children on roll 23 Date of previous inspection 9 October 2017
p.5
Information about this early years setting
The childminder registered in 1984 and lives in Selly Oak, Birmingham. She works with assistants and holds a childcare qualification at level 3. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.
p.5
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 and the inspector discussed the childminder's curriculum and her intentions for children's learning. n The inspector and the childminder jointly observed a planned activity. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection. n The inspector spoke with the childminder and her assistants during the inspection. n The inspector looked at documentation and held a discussion with the childminder. n The inspector viewed the premises with the childminder.
p.5
Inspection activities
19 May 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
19 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.
p.6
Inspection activities
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p.7
Inspection activities
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p.7
Inspection activities
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Inspection activities
T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted
p.7
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