Childminder in Sandwell

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Inadequate Behaviour and attitudes Inadequate Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Inadequate

p.1

The provision is inadequate

The childminder leaves unvetted people unsupervised with children. Consequently, children are left at considerable risk of harm. Furthermore, the childminder regularly exceeds the usual staff to child ratios. This impacts negatively on children, as they do not receive the full support and care they require during this time.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

There continue to be weaknesses within the curriculum. The curriculum is not ambitious for all children. In addition, although the childminder sets out activities based on children's likes and interests, she does not ensure planning takes into consideration children's development and needs. These weaknesses do not support all children to make adequate progress in their development. Despite this, children enjoy jumping on the trampoline and making marks onto boards outside. The childminder also reads stories to children and some children listen well and enjoy these sessions.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

The childminder does not support children effectively to behave well, and consequently they often display unwanted or negative behaviours. The childminder's response to this is to just pick children up and move them out of the way. She does not support children to regulate their feelings when they become very unsettled. In addition, the childminder does not help children talk about their actions and how that impacts on others. Consequently, poor behaviours are often repeated and are quite disruptive to other children.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder has not complied with two previous enforcement actions set as she continues to allow unvetted people to come into contact with children. She has allowed someone who has not had their suitability check completed by Ofsted to have direct and unsupervised contact with children, when she was not present at the setting. This raises significant concerns around the childminder's understanding of risk and it compromises children's safety. In addition, the childminder has not kept Ofsted informed of all those who come into contact with children. Consequently, Ofsted have not been able to carry out the required suitability checks on those adults. n Despite the childminder receiving two previous enforcement notices about adhering to the correct ratio requirements, she has failed to act on this. During these times, the childminder is unable to ensure all children have their needs met and receive the care and support they require.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder has some key aims for children by the time they leave her setting, although this is not varied. For example, she is not able to demonstrate how the curriculum covers all areas of learning or how it is sequenced to help children build on their knowledge over time. In addition, the childminder solely

p.2

need to do better?

22 September 2025 follows children's interests, without thinking about what children need to learn next. Although the childminder sets some next steps for children, these do not focus enough on the gaps in their learning. Consequently, this does not support all children to make the full progress they are capable of. n The childminder holds discussions with assistants about their practice. However, the overall quality of teaching and learning that children receive is not good enough. Adults working with them do not notice when some children become disengaged for considerable periods of time and require support to join in. In addition, at times the childminder often over-directs children to play in particular areas or with particular resources. n Behaviour management strategies implemented are not effective. The childminder does not do enough to support children to understand and control their emotions and behaviour. Her lack of consistent guidance and support

p.2

need to do better?

means that there are multiple occasions where some children become extremely upset and frustrated. During these times children chase their peers for toys and/or equipment, take resources from their peers, scream or cry when they do not get something they want. Although the childminder tells the children to stop, she does not support them to learn how to share and/or take turns or learn how their actions impact on others. n The childminder ensures both her and any assistants she works with complete training, such as first aid and safeguarding. She also states that she would seek support from her local authority if a concern was raised about a child's development. However, the childminder has not placed enough focus on attending further training to develop her knowledge and skills. In addition, she has not made sure that assistants fully understand their roles and responsibilities, including in their role as key person to some children.

p.3

need to do better?

n The childminder is able to describe multiple examples of signs and symptoms of abuse. She also knows local procedures to follow if concerns arise about an adult working with children or about a child. However, the childminder does not ensure that assistants' knowledge of safeguarding is secure. For example, she does not make sure they know how to recognise signs of abuse and understand local procedures to follow if concerns arise about a child. n The childminder keeps parents informed about what children have played with and care routines completed. However, she does not ensure that all parents are kept fully informed about their child's development and/or progress. Despite this, parents state that they like the sensory experiences their children have access to. n The childminder talks confidently about the steps taken to identify and remove risks with activities, both inside and outside. Safer recruitment procedures for

p.3

need to do better?

assistants are secure. The childminder keeps records of this.

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 adults who have not had suitability checks completed on them are not left unsupervised with children at any time 03/10/2025

p.4

Due date

ensure Ofsted are kept informed and the relevant checks are completed on any adults who may come into contact with minded children 03/10/2025

p.4

Due date

ensure that exceptions to usual ratios are only made when the quality of care can be maintained 03/10/2025

p.4

Due date

improve knowledge of how to manage children's behaviour in an appropriate manner to ensure children receive the support they require to self-regulate and learn right from wrong 03/10/2025

p.4

Due date

ensure all assistants have secure knowledge of indicators of abuse and the steps they should take to keep children safe, if concerns arise about a child's welfare 03/10/2025

p.4

Due date

improve access to training for all those who work with children with an aim to develop their knowledge and ensure the care, support and overall quality children receive is to at least a good standard. 03/10/2025

p.4

Due date

22 September 2025 improve knowledge of the curriculum and ensure that it is varied to cover all areas of learning and tailored to the different ages/stages of children's development 13/10/2025

p.4

Due date

improve the use of planning to ensure that all children have access to meaningful activities that enable them to build on their knowledge and skills over time 13/10/2025

p.5

Due date

improve the use of next steps to ensure these are focused enough and support children to build on what they already know and can do 13/10/2025

p.5

Due date

improve the overall quality of teaching practice of all those who work with children, to ensure all children receive at least a good standard of education 13/10/2025

p.5

Due date

improve partnership with parents to ensure that all parents fully understand their child's development and ways they can continue their child's learning at home. 13/10/2025

p.5

Setting details

Unique reference number 2649703 Local authority Sandwell Inspection number 10412097 Type of provision Childminder

p.6

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.6

inspection

Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 13 Date of previous inspection 3 June 2025

p.6

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2022 and lives in Rowley Regis. She operates all year round, Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm, except for bank holidays and the last two weeks of the summer holidays. The childminder works with a co-childminder and assistants. She offers funded early education places for eligible children.

p.6

Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder, assistants and the children. n The inspector took account of parents' views through written feedback and through speaking to parents when they were available. 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.

p.6

Inspection activities

22 September 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

22 September 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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