Ashleigh Jade Read

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is inadequate

The childminder has not organised her provision to consistently promote children's safety. She has not ensured that all her assistants have been fully vetted before leaving them alone with children. Although they have completed Disclosure and Barring Service checks, the childminder and her assistants have not waited for Ofsted to process all required checks to confirm their suitability. In addition, the childminder has, on occasion, left an assistant in sole charge of children for more than two hours, which is a further breach in requirements. Consequently, children's safety is not fully assured. The childminder breaches the ratio requirements. This means that throughout the day, the childminder and her assistant are not able to consistently meet the individual needs of all children.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Despite children not being fully safeguarded, they feel safe in the care of the childminder and her assistant, who are kind and caring towards them. Children seek out reassurance. They climb onto the knees of the childminder and her assistant, and lots of cuddles are given whenever they are needed. The curriculum for children is not yet embedded so that all children remain engaged in their learning and make the best possible progress. Nevertheless, children are developing a deep love for literacy. When reading a book, the assistant leaves gaps, and the children know which word comes next and shout this out. The childminder and her assistant support children's communication and language skills. Children are exposed to a rich vocabulary of words. They try repeating some of them, such as 'multicoloured'. The childminder and her assistant talk to the children constantly. They praise children for their achievements, and this helps to

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder and her assistants submit appropriate forms to Ofsted to allow their suitability to be checked. However, the childminder has not waited for confirmation of all assistants' suitability before leaving them alone and in sole charge of children. This does not ensure that persons working with children have been deemed suitable. This has the potential to put children at risk. In addition, the childminder has, on one occasion, left an assistant in sole charge of children for longer than two hours. n The childminder does not have effective contingency arrangements in place to cover when assistants are absent. While the childminder takes action to reduce the numbers of children, ratios are still exceeded. Although the childminder applies an exception to the rule, to allow for continuity of care, children's individual needs are not consistently met. At times, it is difficult for the assistant

p.2

need to do better?

and the childminder to ensure that each child is receiving the same positive interactions. Consequently, some children are left standing and not engaging in

p.2

need to do better?

30 January 2024 the curriculum on offer. n Although children have not been fully safeguarded due to unvetted assistants being left in sole charge, the childminder and her assistant do know the correct procedures to follow to report concerns about children in their care. They know the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk or is suffering from harm. n The childminder's curriculum centres around the child and builds on their knowledge and understanding. However, it is not yet fully embedded to meet the different stages and abilities of all children. At times, the curriculum does not interest some of the older children, and they become restless and display unwanted behaviour. They raise their voices, start shouting and roll around on the floor. This interrupts other children's learning and play as the assistant and childminder have to defuse the unwanted play. n The childminder and her assistant plan activities for children based on themes.

p.2

need to do better?

Currently, children are exploring the story 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt'. The children enjoy painting cardboard tubes to start to make binoculars, ready for their walk in the woods to look for bears. However, some activities do not provide sufficient challenge for the most able children. Consequently, children are not excelling in their learning. n The childminder provides opportunities for children to go out in the fresh air. She takes them to local parks and the woods. Occasionally, they may visit a soft-play centre. This helps children to learn about the world around them and to develop their physical skills. n The childminder provides support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The childminder has experience of working with children with SEND. She liaises well with parents and other professionals who may be involved in the care of children. Intensive support is given, and this

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need to do better?

helps to close gaps in children's learning. n The childminder and her assistant know the children well. They gather information from parents about the children's likes and dislikes. Information is shared with parents about their child's learning through an online app.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is not an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

Due date

30 January 2024 ensure that anyone whose suitability has not been fully checked does not have unsupervised contact with children being cared for 31/01/2024

p.3

Due date

ensure children are not left in the sole care of assistants for more than two hours in a single day 31/01/2024

p.4

Due date

ensure ratio requirements are adhered to, to consistently meet the individual needs of all children 09/02/2024

p.4

Due date

embed the curriculum so it meets the needs of all children to help them consistently engage in purposeful play. 29/03/2024

p.4

should:

n plan activities more precisely, in line with children's differing abilities and stages of development, to provide sufficient challenge for the most able children so they make even better progress.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 2733736 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10331641 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 13 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2023 and lives in Anslow, Burton upon Trent. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder works alongside an assistant. Funded early education is available for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The childminder holds an appropriate level 5 qualification, and the assistant holds a level 3 qualification.

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 We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their early years foundation stage curriculum. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder, the assistant and the children. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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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

30 January 2024 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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