Lear, Helen Margaret

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 does not provide a broad curriculum that challenges children and extends their learning. This results in children wandering around and not being fully immersed in any meaningful learning. Children do not receive the quality engagement and interactions they need from the childminder to enable them to make good progress and give them a sound foundation ready for school.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

The childminder does not take robust steps to ensure the premises are secure to keep children safe. For example, she does not make sure doors to the outside are locked. This means children can leave the setting and people are able to enter. Toileting arrangements are not appropriate. They do not meet children's privacy needs. The childminder does not follow effective hygiene procedures. For instance, children do not consistently wash their hands before eating.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children behave well. Older children say please and thank you without prompting. Younger children follow the routines and wait patiently for their food at lunchtime.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder does not recognise the risk of the front door being unlocked and within children's reach. Her poor understanding of this risk compromises children's safety. n Facilities for toileting are not appropriate and children are not provided with sufficient privacy and dignity. For instance, they use a potty that is placed in the hallway, where household members and parents pass through. This is despite the childminder having access to a bathroom. In addition, the childminder does not take sufficient account of children's stage of development when making arrangements for their toileting. Older children are expected to also use a potty and are not supported to independently use a toilet in readiness for school. n The childminder does not have suitable hygiene procedures in place. She does not teach children how to wash their hands after they have used the toilet, or before they eat. Furthermore, she does not talk to children about why it is

p.2

need to do better?

important to wipe their nose to stop the spread of germs. This does not equip children with the self-care skills they need and does not help keep them safe and well. n The childminder gathers information from parents when children start. She uses children's interests, alongside their eating and sleeping needs, to help children settle. However, she does not have effective assessment processes in place to meet the learning needs of children. She does not have a secure understanding of what children already know and can do, and what they need to learn next. Children's next steps lack clarity and do not reflect their stage of development. As a result, children do not make timely progress ready for school.

p.2

need to do better?

30 January 2025 n The childminder's curriculum is not ambitious or challenging. She does not provide a wide range of opportunities that inspire children to fully immerse themselves in learning. For instance, children quickly move from activity to activity. They do not spend extended amounts of time concentrating or completing tasks. This lack of engagement in their learning means children are not building the strong foundation of key skills and knowledge they need for their future learning. n Partnerships with parents are good. The childminder works closely with parents when their children first start. This helps children to settle quickly. Parents appreciate information and photos the childminder shares about what their children have been doing during the day.

p.2

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 understanding of the risks to children and follow robust procedures to manage the safety of the premises to keep children safe 13/02/2025

p.3

Due date

provide suitable toileting facilities for children to ensure their privacy and implement effective hygiene procedures 13/02/2025

p.3

Due date

plan and deliver a curriculum that motivates, challenges and supports children to make progress in all areas of learning 06/03/2025

p.3

Due date

improve interactions and engagement with children to extend their learning and fully develop their language and communication skills 06/03/2025

p.3

Due date

30 January 2025 implement effective assessment strategies to identify where children are in their learning and move their learning forward. 06/03/2025

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY368631 Local authority Bath and North East Somerset Council Inspection number 10372138 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 5 Date of previous inspection 3 April 2019

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2008 and lives in Radstock, North East Somerset. She operates all year round from 8am to 5pm, Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 8am to 5pm Tuesday and Thursday. The childminder offers government funded places.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises with the childminder. n The inspector spoke with the childminder about what she knows about children's learning and progress and how she develops her curriculum. n The inspector spoke to parents and took their views into account. n Children spoke to the inspector. n The inspector observed interactions between the childminder and children throughout the inspection.

p.5

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

30 January 2025 30 January 2025 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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