Witcombe, Claire Elizabeth

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

The childminder does not ensure children's safety. This is because the childminder does not assess risks effectively. Children sometimes use the bathroom independently where they can access harmful products. Additionally, the childminder does not ensure children are adequately supervised, including while they eat. This does not ensure that children are kept safe.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

While some children enjoy some of the opportunities for playing and learning in the setting, the childminder does not fully consider what she wants each child to learn. This is because her understanding of what each child knows and can do is not secure. For example, when children enjoy accessing water and mixing their potions in a cauldron, the childminder does not focus on each child's developmental stage to build on what they already know. Children's learning is secondary to the experience. This approach does not help them make consistently good progress. The lack of a well-planned and ambitious curriculum impacts on children's attitudes to learning. For example, children become overwhelmed and disengage for short periods of time during their play.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

The childminder has clear expectations and boundaries for behaviour. Children respond well to these expectations; they feel safe and secure with the childminder. This helps them engage with many of the activities on offer.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder does not take all reasonable steps to ensure that children are safe at all times. She does not complete checks on a regular basis or use risk assessment to inform her practice. As a result, hazards across the environment have built up over time. This does not ensure that children are safe. n The childminder does not ensure that children are adequately supervised at all times. For example, on occasions where some children are in different areas of the childminder's home, she does not ensure that they can always be seen or heard. This includes children who are eating. This is a breach of requirements and does not ensure that children are always kept safe. n The childminder does not consider how to implement a curriculum that consistently meets the needs of all children. Though the childminder offers a wide range of activities and experiences for children, she does not always use information from assessment well enough to build on what they already know

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need to do better?

and can do. Although children do make some progress within their development, they do not consistently receive learning that is planned and sequenced to meet their individual needs. n The childminder does not fully consider children's individual next steps within their early communication development. For example, during activities the

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need to do better?

12 November 2024 childminder surrounds children who are at single-word level with lots of language. As a result, children struggle to understand instructions or fully interact within the activities. This does not fully promote children's early communication development. n The childminder has not put in place a well-considered curriculum for literacy. For example, while she does provide some opportunities for children to enjoy books as part of their early reading skills, these are limited to occasions when children are on outings. The childminder has not considered how to support children's literacy skills through carefully planned and well-informed learning opportunities. This does not promote a love of reading for children or support their early reading skills. n The childminder has used some training to develop her practice. For instance, recent training on oral hygiene has resulted in the childminder changing when

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need to do better?

she offers children specific foods to ensure that the risk to children's teeth is reduced. Children understand why these changes have been made and speak about the sugars in fruit. Children learn how to care for their teeth. n Children are developing independent behaviours and attitudes to learning independence. They learn how to dress and undress themselves and meet their own personal needs through handwashing and toilet training. Children talk about how they can now drink from their new cups without spilling. Children learn some important skills for the future. n The childminder offers children lots of opportunity to develop their physical skills through activities, such as swimming and gymnastics. Children also go on frequent walks with the childminder, particularly for school pick up. Children develop core strength and coordination in support of later learning. n Children learn about the world around them. The childminder frequently takes

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need to do better?

children on the bus and to visit residents at a care home. Children learn important skills, such as how to sit safely on the bus. They have opportunity to meet new people and learn about the community they live in.

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

12 November 2024 ensure that risk assessment is used effectively to identify hazards across the environment in order to ensure that children are safe at all times 12/12/2024

p.3

Due date

ensure that children are adequately supervised, including while eating. 12/12/2024

p.4

should:

n use regular assessment of children's progress to consider their individual needs, interests and development, and offer enjoyable and challenging experiences that promote their specific learning n develop skills and strategies that more effectively promote children's early communication development n strengthen the curriculum for literacy and carefully plan experiences that promote children's early comprehension and reading skills.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY442801 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10373367 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 6 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection 14 February 2020

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2012 and lives in Oswaldtwistle, Accrington, Lancashire. She operates all year round, Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 5.30pm, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She provides government funded places for childcare for three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

Inspection activities

n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The inspector observed the interactions between childminder and the children. n The childminder and inspector completed a joint observation of an outdoor activity. n Children spoke and communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed children within their play and during group activities and lunchtime. n The inspector received written feedback from several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

12 November 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

12 November 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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