Childminder 224585

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 fails to assure children's safety because she does not consistently ensure that the premises are safe and secure. Furthermore, she lacks awareness of local safeguarding issues that may impact the children and families in her care, such as the risks associated with county lines.

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The provision is inadequate

The childminder struggles to explain her curriculum intent and how she supports children in achieving their learning goals. Although she recognises obstacles in children's personal development, she does not seek support from other professionals to help children overcome them. She offers children limited opportunities and encouragement to practise essential self-care routines, such as handwashing and toileting. These shortcomings negatively affect children's ability to develop the skills and confidence they need to be school ready.

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The provision is inadequate

Despite these concerns, the childminder interacts warmly with children. She encourages early language and mathematical skills by helping children to identify animals, colours and shapes and to count to 10. By following children's interests and repeating favourite stories, the childminder fosters a love of books and strengthens children's listening and comprehension skills. These interactions contribute to children's happiness, which supports their behaviour.

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need to do better?

n The childminder does not take all reasonable steps to prevent unauthorised people from entering the premises. For example, she sometimes leaves the main doors and garden gates unlocked. Although this is for brief periods of time, it places children at risk of harm. n The childminder has completed safeguarding training. However, she does not actively seek information about local issues that may affect the children and families in her care. This limits her ability to recognise and respond promptly to potential safeguarding concerns in the community, placing children's safety and well-being at risk. n The childminder has not addressed the recommendations from her last inspection. Although she keeps mandatory training up to date, she does not reflect on her practice or engage in purposeful professional development. Consequently, gaps remain in her knowledge and practice. For example, she fails to recognise that using terms such as 'nice' and 'nasty' to describe dinosaur diets

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need to do better?

is misleading and can imply unintended judgements. n The childminder cannot clearly explain her curriculum intent. While she can describe the activities she provides, she does not identify the skills or learning outcomes she intends for children to develop in each area of learning. As a result, children receive inconsistent learning experiences, which negatively

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need to do better?

27 June 2025 affects their progress. n There are weaknesses in how the childminder supports children's personal development. For example, she frequently cleans children's hands with baby wipes instead of encouraging handwashing with soap and water. This limits children's opportunities to develop good hygiene habits. Although the childminder has worked with parents and carers to support children's toilet training, these strategies have been ineffective. Consequently, children are no longer encouraged to practise toilet training at the setting, leading to stalled progress. The childminder has yet to seek guidance from other professionals to address these challenges. n The childminder does not fully understand or prioritise the importance of working with other professionals. For example, she has not initiated communication with schools that the children will attend, or with settings that the children have previously attended, to support continuity in children's learning

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need to do better?

and care. These shortcomings highlight clear weaknesses in leadership and management. n The childminder does not consistently complete progress checks for children aged two to three years, resulting in parents not receiving clear and accurate assessments of their children's development. This causes delays in identifying concerns early, and prevents children from receiving timely help from professionals where needed. n The childminder maintains ongoing verbal communication with parents, regularly sharing updates about their children's experiences and welcoming their feedback. Parents describe the setting as 'relaxed'. They say their children settle quickly and enjoy the variety of activities available.

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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 puts children's interests first.

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Due date

take all reasonable steps to prevent unauthorised persons from entering the premises 11/07/2025

p.3

Due date

27 June 2025 improve understanding of safeguarding concerns in the local area that could significantly impact a child's life at home or elsewhere 11/07/2025

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Due date

identify areas for improvement and undertake targeted professional development to enhance knowledge and skills 11/07/2025

p.4

Due date

establish an ambitious curriculum for each area of learning so that children develop the essential knowledge and skills they need to be school ready 25/07/2025

p.4

Due date

establish partnerships with other professionals to ensure children are given the best possible learning opportunities 25/07/2025

p.4

Due date

ensure that every child's care is tailored to meet their individual needs, and implement routines that support children to develop and manage their own personal care needs 25/07/2025

p.4

Due date

ensure a progress check is completed for all children aged between two and three years old that includes a short, written summary for parents of their child's development in the prime areas of learning. 25/07/2025

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Setting details

Unique reference number 224585 Local authority Stoke-on-Trent Inspection number 10392273 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 6 Number of children on roll 1 Date of previous inspection 14 August 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1995 and lives in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. She operates all year round from 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for any eligible children attending.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about children's learning and development. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder about safeguarding and how she evaluates her practice. n Children interacted with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector reviewed relevant documentation, including evidence of the suitability of those living and working in the household.

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Inspection activities

27 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.

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Inspection activities

27 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.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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

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