Childminder in Stockton-on-Tees

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 Good

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The provision is inadequate

Children's safety and welfare are compromised. This is because the childminder has failed to follow safeguarding procedures. This is a breach of the safeguarding and welfare requirements. The childminder does not plan suitably challenging learning experiences that build on what children need to learn next. She does not consider the varying needs of all the children attending to inform planning and the organisation of the learning environment. That said, relationships between the childminder and the children are positive. Children are happy and settled. They are confident and sociable, and they behave well.

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The provision is inadequate

The childminder plays alongside children and uses some suitable teaching strategies to promote their learning. For example, she models language focused on colours and numbers as they play. Older children articulate their interests and eagerly share what they like with adults. However, the childminder's interaction with children and the range of activities do not always inspire children to be curious and sustain their engagement. That said, younger children go to her for cuddles when they are upset. They enjoy the comfort of sitting on her lap for a story.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Babies explore interactive toys, pressing the various buttons to create the sounds. Older children readily help to tidy up when asked. They benefit from mixing with other children when they attend local community groups.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has failed to follow local safeguarding procedures to report without delay any allegation made against herself or household member. She does not have a secure enough understanding of when to make notifications to Ofsted. This compromises children's welfare. n The childminder does not ensure that the use of space within the home is used effectively. During the inspection, babies and older children spent much of the morning in the small conservatory, where they had limited space to move around and, for example, practise their walking skills. n The childminder does not consistently follow good hygiene practices to promote children's health. She uses baby wipes to wash children's hands before they eat. However, she does not always make sure that individual baby wipes are used to wash children's hands before they eat to help avoid cross contamination. The childminder does ensure that the family pet is always supervised around

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need to do better?

children. However, she does not do all that she can to prevent the family pet from jumping up at the table and highchairs while children are having their lunch. This compromises children's safety and well-being. n The childminder does not make the most of opportunities that arise to build on what children already know and can do. Although she uses her observations of

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need to do better?

18 June 2024 children to decide what they need to learn next and recognises areas where they need further support, she does not consistently help children to gain new knowledge and skills. For example, the childminder does not build on children's knowledge and skills as they quickly work out how to roll cars down a tube. n The childminder supports children's communication and language development appropriately. She talks to the children and holds conversations with the older children. The childminder pronounces words correctly for the younger children to repeat and reads stories to help increase children's vocabulary. n Older children develop some literacy and mathematics skills. They learn to count and recognise some letter sounds. This helps to give them some key skills in preparation for starting school. n Despite weaknesses in the safeguarding requirements, the childminder can identify the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. She risk assesses her

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need to do better?

premises. For example, she identifies that, due to excess rain, her garden needs general attention before it is safe and suitable for the children to use. Therefore, she makes sure that children have daily walks and use of the local parks. This helps to suitably promote children's physical skills. n The childminder works with parents when supporting children with transition. Parents report that they are happy with the care their children receive. They say their children enjoy coming to the childminder's house. The childminder provides information to parents about their children's day, what they have done, and how they have been.

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

ensure you understand and follow the correct reporting procedures so that any allegations are acted upon in line with local safeguarding partnership procedures 25/06/2024

p.3

Due date

improve knowledge and understanding of the notifications that need to be made to Ofsted 25/06/2024

p.3

Due date

18 June 2024 consistently promote children's good health, particularly in relation to good hygiene practices and the health risks posed by household pets 25/06/2024

p.3

Due date

ensure that curriculum planning is based on children's prior knowledge and skills and focus activities on what they need to learn next 25/06/2024

p.4

Due date

design the learning environment so that children always have sufficient clear space for play available. 25/06/2024

p.4

should:

n improve the use of self-evaluation to identify areas of weakness and take appropriate action to ensure all requirements are met.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY313067 Local authority Stockton-on-Tees Inspection number 10351290 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 6 Number of children on roll 22 Date of previous inspection 22 October 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2005 and lives in the Wolviston Court area of Billingham in Cleveland. She works with her husband, who is also a registered childminder. She operates all year round from 7.45am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She holds a National Vocational Qualification at Level 3. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector carried out a discussion with the childminder on how the curriculum is delivered. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. She spoke with the children during the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint evaluation with the childminder. n The inspector held a meeting with the childminder and looked at relevant documentation. n The inspector spoke with parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

18 June 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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