Childminder in Kent

Overall effectiveness Good

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

p.1

The provision is good

The childminder provides a safe and homely space in which children learn and play happily. She develops a deep understanding of each individual child, including their home lives and interests. She recognises where children have gaps in their experiences due to their own personal situations and provides them with these. For example, she takes children to weekly stay-and-play groups. The childminder has high expectations for what children can achieve. She plans carefully for exciting and varied activities to help children meet the goals she sets them. For instance, during an activity children engaged attentively exploring messy materials and dinosaurs. They enjoyed finding letters hidden in the materials and began to learn the sounds letters represent.

p.2

The provision is good

Children develop confidence greatly. They feel safe and secure through the strong relationships they have with the childminder. Children demonstrate this when they eagerly use mathematical language correctly to tell the childminder how to find the objects they hid in the sand. Children have a strong desire to learn, they are inquisitive and ask questions about how things happen. They explore and test out ideas. For example, in a quest to make 'rocks' for their dinosaur land, they mix chocolate powder, sand and dough until they find their desired colour.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder supports children well to develop early literacy skills and an enjoyment of books. Children look forward to trips to the library, where they like to find information books about things that interest them. They want to know where elephants live and decide to find books about elephants. The childminder provides children with good opportunities to develop control over tools in preparation for writing. However, she does not provide them with a range of opportunities to explore different reasons for writing and to give meaning to the marks they make in their play. n The childminder teaches children important values. They learn about the effects of their behaviour on others. For example, children understand that the pet cat has been sleeping near them all morning because they have been calm and quiet. Children recognise that differences exist between people. They benefit from a range of experiences in the wider community, where they meet a variety

p.2

need to do better?

people, including a weekly visit to older residents in a home. n Children make good progress in their communication and language skills. The childminder encourages children effectively to use words instead of noises and to put the words they learn together to form sentences. As a result, children verbalise their ideas confidently. n The childminder evaluates effectively to see how she can give children better experiences and actively develops her skills and knowledge to help her do this.

p.2

need to do better?

23 September 2019 For example, following recent training she now understands how to adapt her practice more effectively to help children with special educational needs and/or disabilities to manage their behaviour and to feel secure. n The childminder demonstrates good teaching techniques, for example she listens well to children's ideas and acts to extend these further. However, at times, she does not give children time to consider the outcomes to the questions she asks or to solve problems by themselves. n The childminder establishes strong relationships with parents, who praise the great support and advice she gives them. She uses her close partnerships with parents well to gain a full understanding of each individual child. She involves parents actively in children's learning. For example, children take home the books they choose from the library to share with their families. The childminder forms equally strong partnerships with other settings that children attend. This

p.2

need to do better?

helps to support the continuity in children's care and education.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder demonstrates a strong understanding of the signs that may indicate that a child's welfare is at risk. She updates her knowledge continually to ensure she has the information she needs to remain vigilant and to take appropriate action in the event of a concern. The childminder takes effective steps to ensure children remain safe in her care. For example, she involves children in her risk assessments. For instance, children demonstrated their understanding, as they moved small parts away to stop toddlers from swallowing them. The childminder teaches children well how to keep themselves safe. For example, she invites fire fighters into the setting to talk to children about fire safety.

p.3

should:

n provide children with more opportunities to explore different purposes for writing and to give meanings to the marks that they make n enhance teaching strategies to allow children more time to respond to questions and further opportunities to consider their own thoughts when considering how to solve problems.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY548566 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10111258 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder Age range of children 1 to 6 Total number of places 5 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2017. She lives in South Darenth, in Dartford, Kent. The childminder provides care from 6.30am to 9.30pm on Monday to Friday, for most of the year, with the exception of bank holidays and planned family holidays. The childminder is qualified to level 3. She is in receipt of funding for the provision of early education for three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The childminder discussed with the childminder her aims for children's learning and how she supports children to meet these. n The inspector observed children engaging in play and took account of the progress they have made from their starting points. n The childminder took the inspector on a tour of all areas of the premises, to understand how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised. n The inspector checked the childminder's qualifications, suitability and statutory documents. n The inspector considered the views of parents from the references they prepared for her.

p.4

Inspection activities

23 September 2019 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.4

Inspection activities

23 September 2019 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.5

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.6

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.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6