Childminder in Lincolnshire

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

Children appear content and comfortable in the care of the childminder. The childminder has established secure bonds with the children, which helps them to feel emotionally safe. Children are familiar with their environment and confidently move between different rooms. They quickly follow the childminder's instruction to visit the bathroom and wash their hands before they eat, demonstrating their developing self-care skills. However, the childminder does not consistently ensure children's good health. Children have access to dirty cat litter trays. The childminder does not hygienically maintain areas where food is prepared and served.

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The provision requires improvement

The childminder takes children on outings to enhance their learning and development. Children practise using their physical skills at the park as they climb and balance on large apparatus. The childminder teaches children how to stay safe in the community. Children learn that they must look and listen carefully when they approach a road to make sure there is no traffic coming before they cross. The childminder gives children time to look at things that interest them along the way, such as the different coloured flowers. This helps children to explore and learn about the world around them.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a good understanding of child development, which helps her to assess children's progress. She regularly completes training courses to refresh her knowledge and skills. The childminder can identify when children begin to show emerging gaps or delays in their learning and development. She works in partnership with other services, such as the health visiting team, to encourage families to access specialist support. n The childminder regularly reads to children. She uses different tones and volumes of voice to promote children's listening and attention skills. When children approach the childminder with a book, she invites them to sit on her knee to share the story. This supports children's emotional development as well as their literacy skills. n The childminder is responsive to children's individual needs and adapts her practice accordingly. This helps children quickly settle when they first start at the

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need to do better?

setting. For example, the childminder has sourced specially designed bottles for breast-fed babies. This supports babies to make a smooth transition into her care. n The childminder has a daily cleaning routine, but this is not effective in making sure the environment is suitable for caring for children. The childminder does not maintain her food preparation and serving areas safely or clean her cat litter trays regularly enough, which means that smells linger and children's good

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need to do better?

16 April 2024 health is not fully assured. n The childminder provides children with age-appropriate resources to explore and play with. However, she does not always plan and implement activities that help children develop positive attitudes toward learning or create an environment that consistently supports their learning and development. This hinders children's abilities to play independently or use play items for their intended purpose. n The childminder teaches children some new knowledge and skills. However, she struggles to sustain children's attention and engagement in learning. Some children struggle to remain focused during planned activities. Children are not consistently involved in meaningful learning, to help them build on what they already know and can do. n The childminder has clear rules and routines for when she takes children on walks in the community to keep them safe. Children happily follow the

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need to do better?

childminder's instruction to hold on to the pushchair and stay close to her. The childminder uses simple sign language as well as the spoken word to teach children 'please' and 'thank you'. Children use this simple sign language when they are given their snacks to eat. n The childminder learns about and recognises different cultural festivals that are special to children and their families. She plans activities for children to learn about and celebrate the heritage of their friends. This promotes diversity within the setting and helps children to identify what makes themselves and others unique. n The childminder works effectively with parents to obtain specific information about the children's individual needs. She communicates with parents regularly, both verbally and through technology, to keep parents informed about their children's care and learning. Parents report they are very happy with the level of

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

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

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Due date

make sure the environment where childcare takes place is hygienically maintained, specifically in relation to the kitchen and the care of pets. 14/05/2024

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should:

n plan and provide activities and a well-organised play environment so that children can easily access resources and engage in activities to support their learning n respond swiftly and adapt the delivery of activities when children become less engaged in learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY548440 Local authority Lincolnshire Inspection number 10339992 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 12 Number of children on roll 8 Date of previous inspection 26 November 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017 and lives in Grantham. She operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except family holidays. The childminder holds qualified teacher status. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The childminder is registered to work with an assistant.

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Inspection activities

n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n This was the first inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector and the provider discussed the impact of the pandemic and the inspector has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their curriculum. n Children interacted with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, both indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The childminder and inspector discussed how the curriculum is implemented and

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Inspection activities

the impact that this has on children's learning. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises.

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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 April 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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