Childminder in Sandwell

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

p.1

The provision is inadequate

Children's physical well-being is compromised. Despite a recent Ofsted visit to the provision, the childminder continues to work alongside persons not known to Ofsted through their registration. The childminder's assistants do not fully understand all of their key roles, including safeguarding and risk assessment. This does not help to ensure children's safety.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

The curriculum is not good enough, and teaching is variable. The childminder does not continually plan and provide stimulating activities that inspire play, exploration and learning. As a result, there are times when children struggle to focus, as what is being asked is above the level of understanding for their age and stage of development. Therefore, they do not progress as well as possible in their learning.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

That said, children have positive relationships with the childminder. The environment is laid out well, and there are broad resources for children to choose from, indoors and outside. Children enjoy various aspects of their time at the provision. For example, children like singing and music sessions using instruments. They also enjoy time in the garden.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder does not fully understand the parameters of her childminder registration with Ofsted. On occasions, there are five adults working on the premises. This is a breach of Ofsted's registration requirements for the registration she holds. n The childminder has failed to ensure all new assistants are subject to a rigorous recruitment process. She does not provide Ofsted with all information required about assistants to be able to complete suitability checks in a timely manner. n The childminder does not ensure new assistants become familiar with their key roles. She does not make sure they gain secure understanding of their responsibilities, including safeguarding. This means there are gaps in their knowledge. This does not protect children from harm. n The childminder does not ensure new assistants understand how to implement risk assessments effectively in practice. This means there are times they fail to

p.2

need to do better?

identify and minimise risks. For example, they fail to observe babies putting things in their mouths that are inappropriate or that placing bubble solution at children's eye level and within easy reach is a hazard. This does not help to keep children safe. n Record-keeping is not effective. There are gaps in the records the childminder keeps, including personal information, recruitment and suitability checks for new assistants. This does not help to ensure the effective running of the provision. n The childminder recognises she needs to enhance her own professional

p.2

need to do better?

3 June 2025 development to focus more on improving teaching. However, new assistants do not benefit from effective supervision. This is because this is yet to be embedded in practice to ensure ongoing support. n The childminder does not make the most effective use of what is known about children's learning and development to identify the most pertinent next steps. Occasionally, her approach to teaching is too formal. For example, during circle time, she lines children up and uses a pen to point at posters, asking them to name and label objects. As a result, children rapidly become disinterested and distracted. The childminder does not routinely plan for children's individual learning needs to extend their progress. n Partnerships with parents are not effective enough. The childminder does not routinely share the most accurate and detailed information with them about their children's learning. This does not help to foster the best continuity between the

p.2

need to do better?

provision and home. n The childminder provides children with opportunities to be healthy. They learn to be independent in managing their self-care. Children access physical activities outside, eat healthy snacks and meals and adopt good hygiene routines, such as washing their hands before eating.

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

ensure assistants are subject to rigorous recruitment processes, which include providing Ofsted with all information required to complete suitability checks in a timely manner 18/07/2025

p.3

Due date

improve induction training to help new assistants become familiar with their key roles and gain secure understanding of their responsibilities, including safeguarding 18/07/2025

p.3

Due date

3 June 2025 improve risk assessment in practice and ensure all assistants are supported to identify and minimise risks to help keep children safe 18/07/2025

p.3

Due date

improve record-keeping to help ensure the effective running of the provision, specifically relating to recruitment records and suitability checks 18/07/2025

p.4

Due date

implement supervision and monitoring processes to ensure assistants are provided with ongoing support. 18/07/2025

p.4

Due date

make more effective use of what is known about children's age, stage and learning needs to enhance the curriculum and improve teaching 01/08/2025

p.4

Due date

extend what is provided to engage children in more stimulating activities that inspire play, exploration and learning throughout the day 01/08/2025

p.4

Due date

establish more effective two-way partnerships with parents so information shared is pertinent and detailed to further support continuity in children's learning between the provision and home. 01/08/2025

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 2693488 Local authority Sandwell Inspection number 10403927 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 24 Number of children on roll 16 Date of previous inspection 9 May 2024

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2022 and lives in Rowley Regis. The childminder works with a co-childminder and several assistants. She operates all year round from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. She offers funded early education places for eligible children.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The childminder 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 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 talked to the assistants at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

3 June 2025 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

3 June 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.

p.6

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.7

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7