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

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The provision is good

Children are happy, settled and confident. Their well-being is supported effectively and they have good levels of self-esteem. Children enjoy motivating activities, such as baking bread weekly, and explore blending colours as they paint with water colour. The childminder ensures that all learning environments are clean, safe and secure. All safety and hygiene measures in place are effective. Parents no longer enter the premises. However, they are still provided with good communication and children are excited to arrive. Children develop good social skills. They happily share, take turns and include each other in their play. Children are polite and behave well. They say 'please' and 'thank you' with no reminders and praise each other. Children gain a good understanding of healthy lifestyles. For example, they follow good health and hygiene routines. Children are confident to sing their washing hands song, which helps them to fully understand the importance of

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The provision is good

washing away any bad germs. The childminder builds on children's individual interests and ideas to help keep them motivated and engaged to learn. For example, when children hear a woodpecker in the woodland, the childminder engages them in songs about the woodpecker and identifies other birds, such as the buzzard.

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need to do better?

n The childminder gets to know individual children and their personalities well. This helps them settle confidently and quickly into their play. The childminder establishes a secure and trusting relationship with all children. They are confident to communicate their ideas. However, the childminder does not consistently give them enough time to think and then respond to her thought- provoking questions. n There are good opportunities for children to develop their physical skills. For example, they use larger balancing and climbing equipment with confidence. Children develop good hand-to-eye coordination as they enjoy activities such as sewing. n The childminder self-evaluates her practice effectively. She reflects at the end of each day how well she motivated children to learn. She uses her findings to support her future activity plans. This enables her to continue to provide good- quality learning experiences for all children, including those who speak English

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need to do better?

as an additional language. The childminder keeps up to date with new early years information and builds on her professional development further. For example, she carries out her own regular independent reading and research. n The childminder builds positive relationships with parents and keeps them well informed and involved in their children's learning. For example, she routinely shares videos and photographs of the activities the children have been participating in.

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need to do better?

13 May 2021 n Children have good opportunities to be imaginative. They freely express themselves in a wide range of role play activities. They create their own wedding scene as they dress in wedding attire and dance together to their first dance. Children enjoy creative activities, such as using clay to make pottery and making lanterns. n The childminder has a good knowledge of all areas of learning. She provides children with engaging activities and interesting experiences to help them learn and develop. However, she does not consistently encourage children to be independent at completing their own tasks, such as preparing their own snack. n Children have good opportunities to explore and investigate the natural world. For example, they enjoy watching caterpillars and eagerly await their growth into butterflies. Children use tools safely to make items to care for living creatures. They build a bug house to house and observe insects and a bird table

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need to do better?

to feed and watch the birds. n The childminder helps children to understand other people's similarities and differences. For example, children celebrate different festivals and traditions, such as Martinmas, where they plant bulbs to symbolise the change in seasons. n Children have strong opportunities to develop their skills to support their future learning. They gain good mathematical knowledge. For instance, they confidently count and use concepts such as estimation. Children develop good early reading skills. They recognise their name with confidence.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has good knowledge and understanding of the safeguarding and child protection policies and how to help protect children's welfare and keep them safe. This includes knowing who to contact to seek additional advice and how to report and follow up any potential concerns. The childminder completes and monitors thorough risk assessments to include all areas of practice, such as trips, COVID-19 (coronavirus) practice and use of challenging equipment, like hammers and nails. Children learn how to keep themselves and others safe in an emergency. For example, they regularly discuss the practice for leaving the home quickly and safely in the event of a fire.

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should:

n extend children's opportunities to develop their communication skills even further, to provide children with more time to think and respond to good questions n create more opportunities for children to practise their independence.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY560987 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10191086 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 3 Number of children on roll 7 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2018 and is located in Canterbury, Kent. She is currently in receipt of any free additional funding for children aged three and four years. The childminder cares for children Tuesday to Thursday, from 8am to 5.30pm, during term time only. She cares for and teaches children using a Steiner approach. The childminder holds a relevant early years qualification at level 4.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting has received since the 2020-21 COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector carried out a learning walk with the childminder, discussing the curriculum she provides for the children. The inspector viewed the areas of the childminder's home that children use. n Observations were carried out by the inspector on the childminder interacting and communicating with the children. n A sample of written documentation was reviewed, including policies and procedures. n The inspector spoke to children and the childminder at convenient times and gathered feedback from parents. n The inspector and the childminder carried out a joint observation together on a routine baking activity.

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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

13 May 2021 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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