Childminder in Stockton-on-Tees

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Inadequate Behaviour and attitudes Inadequate Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is inadequate

The childminder has not been vigilant in complying with the ratio requirements of the 'Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage' (EYFS) and, as a result, children do not receive quality care and education in this setting.

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The provision is inadequate

The childminder does not accurately make a risk assessment of her ability to meet the needs of children when applying an exception to ratios. This means that she does not provide a safe and suitable learning environment for children. Although the childminder aims to provide an ambitious curriculum with a particular focus on supporting children's mental health, this does not happen in practice. Children's personal care needs are often unmet, which leads to children becoming upset. Babies do not receive support to take part in activities. This hinders their development.

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The provision is inadequate

The poor organisation and quality of education, including the planned activities, mean that children do not develop positive learning behaviours. They do not receive enough support to practise sustaining their attention and focus. As a result, children are distracted and quickly lose interest in activities, such as at story time when children walk away part way through the book. Despite this, older children do, on occasion, communicate their ideas clearly and the childminder responds to these. Children also establish friendships and develop their personal and social skills when they invite their friends to play at their own houses.

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need to do better?

n The childminder understands the needs of the community where she works. She aims to broaden children's knowledge through providing a range of trips and experiences. However, as a result of misjudging her ability to care for six early years children on her own, on the day of the inspection the quality of teaching and learning in the setting was very poor. For instance, young children had their dummies for long periods of time, despite not needing them. The childminder acknowledges she forgot to remove the dummies. Additionally, the childminder did not ensure these children could see or interact with the book at story time. This means that children are not receiving enough support to develop their communication and language skills. n The childminder has a weak understanding of her role in safeguarding children and has not reported information which may indicate children are at risk to the relevant agencies. The childminder does not have a robust understanding of

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need to do better?

what information she must share and who to share it with. This means she does not ensure children are safeguarded effectively. n The childminder does not have well-established routines in place. This has a particular impact on children who require a nap while at the setting. Poor sleep

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need to do better?

27 June 2024 routines and a chaotic environment mean that babies are unable to nap and, as a result, become overtired and upset. n The childminder does not ensure children are adequately supervised. She chooses to operate without her assistant and, as a result, due to the number and young ages of children, she does not consistently ensure their safety. For instance, children frequently fall over, including falling from kitchen chairs. n The childminder does not meet the requirement to ensure children are always in sight when they are eating. When changing babies' nappies, she positions herself with her back to children who are at the table eating their snack. She leaves babies unattended in high chairs while they are eating crisps, to attend to children who need help in the downstairs toilet. While reading a story to a group of children, babies are positioned behind her in high chairs eating crisps. This

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need to do better?

poor supervision during eating limits the childminder's ability to respond in the event of a choking incident. n Due to poor planning and organisation, the childminder admitted seven children on the day of the inspection. This exceeds the permitted ratio and means the childminder is not vigilant in meeting requirements and does not prioritise children's safety and well-being. Children were required to be collected early in the day in order to comply with ratio requirements, which caused confusion for them. n The childminder chooses to operate outside of the standard ratio of one adult to three early years children. This is in order to provide continuity of care during her assistant's annual leave. However, the childminder is unable to manage six early years children and cannot meet their needs. As a result, children are frequently upset and do not make progress in their learning and development. n The childminder does not routinely wipe children's noses. Where dummies are

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need to do better?

left in for long periods of time, mucus builds up behind the dummies. Children attempt to clean their noses independently, but the childminder does not help them or clear away the dirty tissues left on the floor. A mop bucket of dirty water is left in the kitchen and is accessible to toddlers and children as they pass through the kitchen to use the bathroom. This does not promote children's good health and increases the risk of infection across the setting. n The childminder does not routinely use risk assessments to minimise risks to children. She does not make an accurate risk assessment regarding meeting the needs of the children. Cleaning spray is left in reach of children. Admin tasks are conducted at times when children require support and supervision. The childminder responds to children's ideas to have warm milk following a story, but does not thoroughly assess the risk to see if this is a manageable activity given

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need to do better?

the high number of children. As a result, the setting becomes chaotic and children fall from kitchen chairs. Obstacles and hazards are not moved when children have finished using them. For instance, children trip over cables and cry. The childminder does comfort children and soothe them when they are upset. n The childminder has not kept a daily record of all hours of attendance for children attending the setting. The childminder has previously received an action from Ofsted in relation to this breach of requirements. This demonstrates that the childminder is not effectively developing her practice over time. n Although the childminder has a safeguarding policy in place which includes

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need to do better?

27 June 2024 information regarding her assistant's use of image sharing devices, the policy is not clear regarding the devices used by household members. This means staff and parents do not have enough information regarding how devices are used in the setting. n During transitional moments such as stopping play to change nappies or clothing, the childminder does not fully support toddlers to engage with these routines. When children refuse and say no, the childminder does not make use of enough strategies to help support children to accept these necessary routines. As a result, children are not being supported to develop positive attitudes. n The childminder does make use of assessments, including obtaining information from parents in order to plan for children's learning. This helps her to get to know children's needs well. n The childminder establishes positive relationships with parents and other professionals such as health visitors and school settings in order to discuss

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need to do better?

children's development. This helps to ensure that children receive support when outside of the setting. Parents are happy with the service the childminder provides.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

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

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Due date

ensure that children consistently receive high-quality teaching and learning experiences to help them progress in all areas of learning, with particular regard to supporting babies and toddlers in their language development 25/07/2024

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Due date

improve your understanding of when to notify safeguarding partners regarding children's safety and welfare 17/07/2024

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Due date

27 June 2024 ensure that clear routines are in place to meet children's personal care needs, particularly in relation to supporting babies and toddlers to have quality nap times 17/07/2024

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Due date

plan staffing arrangements so that supervision is effective and all children's needs are met 17/07/2024

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Due date

ensure that children are always fully supervised and in view of staff while they are eating 28/06/2024

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Due date

ensure that you do not exceed the maximum ratio of one member of staff to six early years children at any given time 28/06/2024

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Due date

ensure that if you are applying an exception to the standard ratio of one adult to three early years children, that you are able to fully meet their needs and comply with the requirements of the EYFS 28/06/2024

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Due date

implement effective hygiene practices that promote the good health of children and help to minimise or stop the spread of infection 17/07/2024

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Due date

take all reasonable steps to ensure children are not exposed to risks and review this on an ongoing basis 17/07/2024

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Due date

keep a daily record of the names of the children being cared for on the premises and their hours of attendance 28/06/2024

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Due date

improve your safeguarding policy, to provide clarity around the use of image sharing devices used by household members 25/07/2024

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Due date

develop strategies to support toddlers' behaviour, particularly during transitional periods. 25/07/2024

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY487661 Local authority Stockton-on-Tees Inspection number 10355900 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 18 Date of previous inspection 7 January 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Stockton-on-Tees. She works alongside an assistant. The childminder operates all year round, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm except for bank holidays and family holidays. She receives funding for the provision of free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 childminder. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their EYFS curriculum. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided indoors and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. 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

27 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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