Childminder in Oldham

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Inadequate 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

The childminder fails to manage her provision effectively. Despite making some improvements since previous inspections, such as the completion of a relevant paediatric first-aid course, she has failed to sustain others. The childminder does not consistently maintain the records required to safely manage her provision. Additionally, her risk assessments and her understanding of ways to keep children safe are inconsistent.

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The provision is inadequate

The childminder does not organise her provision in a way that prioritises children's care, learning and development. For example, she offers a transport service to parents. However, she does not robustly ensure children's safety when they are seated in her vehicle. Additionally, she fails to recognise the impact on children who spend excessive periods of time sitting in the car to facilitate the collection or drop-off of others. Furthermore, during the times that her assistant operates this service, this occasionally leaves the childminder caring for up to seven early years children alone.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children's ability to acquire the key skills they need to support their future learning is also limited by weaknesses in the curriculum. In the main, children behave well. However, occasional incidents of unwanted behaviour are not always managed effectively. At times, children's emotional well-being is compromised by poor practice. Despite this, children are settled in the childminder's care. They make some meaningful choices and independently access play materials. For short periods, children are supported by the childminder as they engage in imaginative play, sing songs or complete puzzles.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has an unrealistic view of her provision. She has failed to identify poor practice. Additionally, she does not recognise where there are gaps in her own or her assistant's understanding of how to organise the provision in a way that meets children's needs. Children's safety is compromised, and they do not make the progress they are capable of. n Some children spend up to four hours in the setting with minimal opportunities for physical movement. For example, children are seated for a midday meal before being settled for a sleep. On waking, they are immediately transferred into a vehicle. The way the childminder organises her transport service means that when children are taken home in small groups, those who are dropped off last can have a very long journey. This poor organisation significantly limits children's play, learning and development. n Records of attendance are not always maintained. Although the childminder has

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need to do better?

systems to record children's hours of attendance, on the day of inspection, these

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need to do better?

18 May 2023 were not completed until several hours after children arrived or had been collected by the assistant. This places children at risk in the event of an emergency. n Despite recent training, the childminder and her assistant do not have a good enough understanding of positive behaviour management strategies. For example, they ask children who are reluctant to say sorry if they want to go and stand at the wall. They do not give children the consistent support they need to help them to learn how to manage their feelings. As a result, children quickly repeat unwanted behaviours. Despite this, there are times when the childminder and her assistant are positive role models. They routinely use familiar songs to remind children that they are expected to take turns and share. n Children are developing their understanding of the importance of good hygiene and healthy food choices. They enjoy sitting alongside their friends, and some

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need to do better?

eat a freshly prepared and nutritious meal. However, children's care and learning are not sufficiently considered in the planning of mealtimes. For example, during the inspection, very young children sat and waited at an empty table with nothing to do for over 10 minutes while the childminder completed routine tasks. Additionally, some children were exposed to food items that present a choking risk when they sat with others who had brought food from home. n Gaps in the curriculum and a variation in the quality of teaching mean children's education is still not good enough. For example, the curriculum for physical development is restricted by limited space and resources. This means children are not adequately supported to develop their balance, coordination or agility. Older children, who are eager to climb and test their existing skills, quickly become bored and frustrated by the lack of opportunity, particularly when

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need to do better?

playing outdoors. n Since the previous inspection, the childminder has completed training to improve her ability to support children's early literacy skills. Supporting children's communication and language development continues to be appropriately prioritised by the childminder. Children enjoy daily opportunities to sing songs, learn new words and develop a love of books. Children communicate confidently, and the childminder talks proudly about the progress made by children who speak English as an additional language. n The childminder uses electronic communication to provide updates for parents about their children's abilities and progress. She regularly speaks to parents on the telephone to help maintain communication with parents of children who use the transport service as a part of their childminding package. The childminder suitably supports parents to help ensure that children who are identified with

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need to do better?

possible special educational needs and/or disabilities are referred to relevant professionals at the earliest opportunity.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder's ability to assess and manage risks is poor. She does not have a secure knowledge of current guidance for the use of child safety seats in vehicles.

p.3

Safeguarding

18 May 2023 This means that she is unable to check if the booster seats that she uses are suitable for the ages and sizes of the children being transported, to help keep them as safe as possible. The childminder also has a poor understanding of food items that present possible choking hazards, such as whole grapes. Child protection procedures are better understood. The childminder and her assistant are aware of their responsibilities. They are alert to possible indicators of abuse and have access to relevant guidance. This helps to ensure they can implement appropriate procedures without delay should they have concerns about a child's well-being.

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Due date

provide care for no more than six children under the age of eight at any one time 15/06/2023

p.4

Due date

demonstrate how children's individual care, learning and development needs will be met when determining staff-to- child ratios, particularly when working alone 15/06/2023

p.4

Due date

keep a daily record of the names of children being cared for on the premises, their hours of attendance, and the names of each child's key person 15/06/2023

p.4

Due date

increase knowledge and understanding of positive behaviour management strategies to ensure that incidents of unwanted behaviour are managed appropriately and in ways that do not adversely affect children's well-being 15/06/2023

p.4

Due date

review and improve the organisation of transportation arrangements to reduce the length of time children spend in cars and to limit any impact on their development and care 15/06/2023

p.4

Due date

18 May 2023 improve knowledge and understanding of current safety guidance in relation to car seats and make relevant checks to ensure children are transported safely 15/06/2023

p.4

Due date

undertake appropriate training and professional development that will improve the quality of education provided 15/06/2023

p.5

Due date

support assistants to undertake appropriate training and professional development opportunities, to help improve their personal effectiveness and drive continuous improvement 15/06/2023

p.5

Due date

increase awareness of risks to young children, including food choking hazards. 15/06/2023

p.5

Due date

plan and implement an ambitious, well- sequenced, and fully informed curriculum, which supports all children to make the best progress possible. 15/06/2023

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2547208 Local authority Oldham Inspection number 10247481 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 14 Number of children on roll 13 Date of previous inspection 21 June 2022

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2019 and lives in Shaw, Oldham. The childminder provides childcare each weekday, from 7.30am to 7pm, all year round, except for family holidays. At present, the childminder works with one assistant.

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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 We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided. She assessed the impact these activities had on children's learning. She discussed with the childminder how the curriculum is planned and implemented. n The inspector checked all areas of the premises used by children, including the outdoor space. n The inspector reviewed some relevant documents, including first-aid certificates.

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Inspection activities

18 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.

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Inspection activities

18 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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