Helm, Katie Elizabeth

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is inadequate

The childminder does not have routine checks in place for first aid supplies, medication and creams, resulting in the use of an expired nappy rash cream. During the inspection, several first aid items were also found to be out of date. Although risk assessment procedures are in place, these are not consistently followed. For example, three metal darts were found in a dart board above the sofa in the playroom. These are breaches of requirements that do not ensure children's safety. These were removed. However, the childminder acknowledges that she is to review her risk assessments and introduce new procedures to prevent future risks.

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The provision is inadequate

Nevertheless, children are happy at the setting and form strong attachments with the childminder. The childminder responds to all children's care needs quickly, including regular nappy changes. This provides children with a strong base from which to explore and learn. For example, children learn to share and work together as they play in a florist shop and explore an interesting tray of traditional Easter items.

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The provision is inadequate

The well-qualified childminder provides an imaginative curriculum to help stimulate children's speech, curiosity and self-help skills. She knows what she intends to teach across all areas of the curriculum. She has high-expectations for all children, including those in receipt of funding. She ensures children learn to respect each other's individuality and embrace diversity. Parents of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) deeply value the support the childminder gives during the referral process and beyond.

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need to do better?

n Children behave very well and understand the childminder's consistent rules for behaviour. Despite the breaches, the small team are skilled at teaching children to understand how to keep themselves and other's safe and healthy. For example, when using the large climbing equipment, the childminder uses constant reminders about the rules. Children learn to wash their hands thoroughly in the outside sink unit before they return indoors. These self-care skills help prepare them well for school. n The childminder's interactions with children are of a consistently high-quality. Children show high levels of confidence and are keen to 'have a go' and challenge themselves. For instance, the youngest children choose to hunt plastic eggs hidden around the garden. Older children persevere well as they have a go at playing a tricky hopping game wearing rabbit ears. Children are keen, motivated learners. n The childminder tracks children's progress very effectively. They know where

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need to do better?

each child is in their learning and what they need to learn next. For instance, the

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need to do better?

7 April 2025 childminder asks children questions as they play and knows when to sit back and let children make their own decisions and discoveries. She follows the children's interests and ideas with enthusiasm, such as, providing a good narrative with challenging questions when children pretend to be at the doctors surgery or design and create flowers with construction bricks. Older children confidently recall past events in the local community and widen their vocabulary. The childminder's communication with children who have SEND is very effective. n The childminder is fully committed to making changes across the setting to raise standards. For example, she continues to improve the outdoor environment to further enhance children's play opportunities and physical development. The childminder has recently completed an early years development programme to raise outcomes for children. She has put systems in place to coach and support

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need to do better?

her assistants to improve their knowledge and interactions with children to maximise children's learning. However, these are still in their infancy and not yet fully effective. n The childminder and her assistants know what to do if they have concerns about a child's well-being and which agency to report this to. They are confident about the setting's whistle blowing procedure if they have concerns about any adult in the setting. n The setting is generally very well-organised, meeting most of the early years foundation stage requirements. However, the childminder does not routinely offer clear guidance to her assistants for them to fully understand their roles and responsibilities, including being vigilant in their approach to managing risks in the setting.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

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

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Due date

strengthen risk assessment procedures to ensure all adults can identify hazards in the environment that pose a risk to children, such as metal darts left in a dart board in the playroom and out of date medications and creams intended for children's use 11/04/2025

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Due date

7 April 2025 improve the arrangements for supervision, and the ongoing support that assistant's receive, to ensure they have sufficient knowledge and understanding to carry out their roles and responsibilities effectively. 11/04/2025

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2730985 Local authority Redcar and Cleveland Inspection number 10397272 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 9 Number of children on roll 22 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2023 and lives in Redcar and Cleveland. She operates Monday to Friday, term time only, from 7.30am until 5pm, with the exception of bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder has qualified teacher status. She usually works with two assistants, one who holds a relevant childcare qualification at level 6 and one who has qualified teacher status. The childminder offers government-funded childcare.

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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 The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure it is safe and suitable. n The childminder, co-minder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. n The inspector talked to children and the assistants at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of

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Inspection activities

their views. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request, including medication, accident and incident information. She reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working and living in the household.

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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

7 April 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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