Burch, Deborah Leigh

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 Good

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The provision requires improvement

The childminder and her assistants have developed secure bonds with the children under their care. They are warm and kind towards the children. Overall, the children are happy and confident in the childminder's care. Most children play together nicely, share resources and take turns.

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The provision requires improvement

The childminder is clear about what she wants the children to learn and why. However, she has too many children present at one time, which means that not all children's learning needs are met. For example, babies do not always receive the right level of stimulation to help support their development. In addition, children who have been identified as needing extra support with their learning are not able to get the help they need as the childminder and her assistants are often busy carrying out routine tasks.

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The provision requires improvement

Despite these weaknesses, children enjoy playing with a wide range of resources and activities provided and planned by the childminder. For instance, they maintain a good level of engagement while role playing 'shops' and 'house', acting out new and familiar situations. Older children enjoy decorating their lamb templates as part of Easter celebration activities.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

The childminder and her assistants lead group activities well. For instance, they ask relevant questions and allow children time to answer. However, these activities are often dominated by the most confident children. Therefore, children who are quieter are sometimes overlooked and not encouraged to talk to enhance their confidence and communication skills.

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need to do better?

n The childminder does not adhere to the ratio requirements to help ensure that all children's needs are met. The childminder has too many young children present at any given time. Although she ensures that children's safety is not compromised, she has not considered the impact this has on their learning. The environment can become very busy, and children are often left to play on their own without effective engagement from the adults. Nevertheless, there are some moments of stronger interaction, such as during circle times and small- group activities. n Overall, the childminder implements a broad curriculum. She provides a wide range of resources and learning experiences for children. For example, the childminder and her assistants take children out to playgroups to interact with other children and build on their social skills. Children independently choose their own resources and lead their play. However, the childminder does not ensure

p.2

need to do better?

that the curriculum is adapted well to suit the needs of babies and younger

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need to do better?

26 March 2024 children. Babies are often carried around or placed in a high chair, which limits their ability to explore their surroundings and develop their curiosity and gross motor skills. n The childminder monitors children's development and progress well to help her identify what they need to learn next. She works closely with parents to access extra support for children with speech and language difficulties. The childminder and her assistants are aware of children's individual targets and have strategies to support those falling behind to catch up. However, these strategies are not fully embedded, despite the childminder sharing that there is a real need for this. n Relationships between adults and children are secure and warm. The childminder and her assistants get to know the children well and have built secure attachments. They praise children for their accomplishments, which benefits their emotional well-being. The childminder has been successful in

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need to do better?

helping children to learn to manage their emotions and understand the expected behavioural boundaries. Children behave well and are kind to each other. n The childminder communicates regularly with parents and provides daily updates on care routines. The childminder also holds termly developmental reviews to discuss children's progress and next steps in learning so that parents can continue to support them at home. Some parents express their satisfaction with the level of care their children receive. n The childminder has regular review meetings with her assistants to help her to identify training needs and other areas to improve. She ensures that her assistants attend regular safeguarding training to help them understand their responsibilities in keeping children safe. The childminder and her assistants supervise children well to help keep them safe. n Children's independence skills are supported well. The childminder and her

p.3

need to do better?

assistants encourage children to serve their own meals and drinks and to wipe their faces after eating.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

Due date

26 March 2024 ensure that all children's learning needs are met when making exceptions to the ratio requirements 22/04/2024

p.3

Due date

ensure that the curriculum is adapted well to meet the needs of babies and younger children, with a particular focus on supporting their physical development and curiosity. 18/11/2024

p.4

should:

n implement and embed strategies to support children with speech and language difficulties in order for them to make good progress in their communication and language development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2593963 Local authority Bexley Inspection number 10336085 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 18 Number of children on roll 25 Date of previous inspection 13 January 2023

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2020 and lives in Erith, in the London Borough of Bexley. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The childminder holds an early years qualification at level 3. She works with two assistants. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 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 provider. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about how she organises her early years setting, including the aims and rationale for her curriculum. n Children interacted and communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n Some parents were spoken to, and their views were considered. n The inspector spoke with the childminder's assistants at appropriate times. 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

26 March 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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