Childminder in Staffordshire

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 Outstanding

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The provision is inadequate

Children's health, safety and well-being cannot be assured. The childminder does not display sufficient knowledge of health and safety practices, such as safer sleep procedures and the prevention of cross infection. Although the childminder has conducted some training and research to improve her skills and knowledge, there are gaps in her practice that have not been identified and addressed. Consequently, the standards of care and education are not to a good level. Despite this, the childminder shows kindness and compassion towards children. For example, when new children struggle with nappy changes, she invites them to bring a toy with them. This promotes children's happiness. Children are beginning to form positive relationships with others. For example, when they notice that their peers are crying, they report their concerns to the childminder who responds sensitively, reassuring them that their peers are okay. She reminds children throughout the day

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The provision is inadequate

to get a drink, which they confidently do for themselves and for their peers, demonstrating caring behaviours.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

The childminder provides children with opportunities to develop their physical skills. For instance, babies engage in tummy-time activities and practise standing up with support. This strengthens their core muscles, additionally, craft activities are available, such as gluing and sticking. Children enjoy looking at books with the childminder. For example, they eagerly turn the pages and open the flaps, pointing and saying what they can see. When children say, 'quack quack', the childminder reinforces the word 'duck' to promote their literacy skills.

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need to do better?

n The childminder does not take adequate steps to minimise the risk of cross infection. For example, she leaves used bibs, bowls, nappy sacks and dummies lying around where children play. Furthermore, children wash their hands in the same bowl of soapy water as their peers. This places children's health at risk. n The childminder does not display sufficient knowledge of the latest government guidance relating to safer sleep procedures. For example, to help new babies to settle, she places them to sleep in bouncers, which are not designed to be slept in. This does not ensure they are kept safe when sleeping. n The childminder lacks vigilance as she does not consider how to use equipment safely. For instance, the childminder securely places babies into an upstanding seat before picking the seat up and carrying it into the next room. This compromises children's safety. n Although the childminder plans activities which are suitable for the age of

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need to do better?

children who attend, she does not consistently provide all children with the same high-quality interactions. Consequently, some children's learning needs are occasionally overlooked.

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need to do better?

5 September 2024 n The childminder gives children their dummies to help them to settle. However, once they have settled, they still have their dummies. This hinders children's developing speech and language skills. n Although the childminder encourages children to join in with the available activities, she does not help them to remain engaged and motivated in their play. For example, the childminder uses the television when conducting a music and movement activity, which after she leaves turned on. This distracts children's attention from their learning. n Despite overall weaknesses in the curriculum, the childminder does take account of children's interests when planning activities. For example, when children show an interest in ducks, she organises a trip to the local duck pond to give children the opportunity to feed them. n Children go out into the community to build on their confidence and social skills

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need to do better?

in a larger group. For example, children regularly attend toddler groups. They benefit from opportunities to enhance their gross-motor skills at the local soft- play area. n Parents' and carers' feedback about the childminder is positive. They comment on how hard she works and her caring nature. Parents are well informed about their children's learning. This helps them to further children's learning at home. n Should the childminder have any concerns for children's development, she knows to work in tight partnership with parents and external professionals to ensure the correct support is in place for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The childminder has recently attended an online course to strengthen her understanding of how to support children with SEND.

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

improve knowledge of good hygiene practices to prevent the spread of cross infection 20/09/2024

p.3

Due date

improve knowledge of safer sleep procedures to ensure children are kept safe when sleeping 20/09/2024

p.3

Due date

5 September 2024 improve awareness of how to use equipment safely to minimise potential risks to children's safety 20/09/2024

p.3

Due date

ensure all children consistently benefit from high-quality interactions to strengthen their learning, so that they make good progress alongside their peers 04/10/2024

p.4

Due date

ensure children benefit from continual support to promote their emerging speech and language skills 04/10/2024

p.4

Due date

improve children's engagement in activities, minimising distractions so that they develop positive attitudes towards their learning. 04/10/2024

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY412925 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10362856 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

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 6 Date of previous inspection 7 February 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2010 and lives in Cannock, Staffordshire. She operates from 7.45am to 1pm on a Monday and 7.45am to 5.30pm Tuesday to Thursday, all year round. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 5. She receives funding for two-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder spoke to the inspector about their intentions for children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children throughout the day and evaluated the impact on children's learning. n The views of parents and children were considered by the inspector. n The inspector reviewed relevant documentation, including evidence of the suitability of those living and working in the household. n The childminder and inspector discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact that this had on children's learning.

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Inspection activities

5 September 2024 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

5 September 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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