Childminder in Medway

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 and settled in this friendly and welcoming setting. The childminder has warm and loving relationships with the children in her care. Well- established daily routines help children to feel emotionally secure. The childminder and the children have fun and enjoy each other's company. There is a strong focus on emotional well-being and nurturing. For example, children learn the importance of caring for pets and enjoy reading stories to the childminder's gentle and friendly dog.

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The provision is good

Children have good opportunities to make independent choices. They select from the wide range of resources and follow their interests in the carefully organised playroom. Children become absorbed in imaginative activities. For example, they pretend to meet their friends and visit different places such as shops and nurseries. Children recall their own real-life experiences with confidence. Children develop good early literacy skills. They enjoy exploring books with the childminder and their peers. They enthusiastically spot interesting things within the book illustrations and discuss what they can see.

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The provision is good

The childminder has high expectations for children's behaviour. Children behave well and use good manners. They respond positively to the continual praise and encouragement from the childminder, which helps raise their self-esteem.

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need to do better?

n The childminder's partnerships with parents are strong. Parents state how pleased they are with the dedicated care their children receive. The childminder keeps parents well informed about their children's progress. She regularly shares information that helps them to understand their children's learning, including through electronic means. This includes photos of children at play, to celebrate their achievements. The childminder provides ideas about how children's learning can be supported at home. This provides children with good continuity of learning. n Children learn about diversity and differences beyond their own family experiences. The childminder provides resources and experiences that help children to develop a deeper understanding of other communities and cultures. For example, children enjoyed a visit to the local Hindu temple and learn about different celebrations from around the world.

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need to do better?

n A well-planned and structured curriculum includes strong support for children's communication and language development. The childminder uses a range of strategies to help children extend their vocabulary. For example, she repeats back to the children what they have said, to show that they are understood. Children hear lots of language as the childminder commentates on their play and

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need to do better?

13 October 2021 actions. She encourages them to sing songs and share stories. n The childminder promotes children's physical development and well-being successfully. Children develop positive hygiene practices. They know to wash their hands frequently to remove any germs. Children visit local parks and toddler groups and go on woodland walks where they discuss the weather and changing environments. They have opportunities to socialise with a larger group of children and develop their physical skills. Children acquire a good range of key skills in preparation for the next stage in their development and the move to school. n The childminder is highly reflective and regularly reviews her practice. She has a good understanding of her own strengths and areas that she plans to enhance even further. She attends regular training to ensure that she stays up to date with any changes. The childminder shares ideas and good practice with other

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need to do better?

childminders. She reflects on the daily experiences of the children and gathers the views of parents to help improve her practice. She is dedicated and passionate about the service she provides. n The childminder enhances children's understanding of colour and size recognition effectively during play. However, support for children's mathematics, such as their counting skills, is not fully embedded through everyday routines and planned activities. n The childminder has good knowledge of the children in her care. She uses her ongoing observations to understand children's level of achievement, interests and learning styles. She incorporates their next steps in learning into her planning to support children's development. However, the childminder does not fully enable children to continue activities beyond what she has planned, to extend their learning further.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of her safeguarding responsibilities. She keeps her safeguarding knowledge up to date through attending training courses. The childminder can confidently identify the signs and symptoms which may indicate that a child is at risk of harm. She keeps well informed about local safeguarding procedures and knows who to contact if she has any concerns. The childminder ensures that children are continuously supervised when in her care and completes daily checks on her home to identify and eliminate any potential risks.

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should:

n strengthen support for children's mathematical development, in particular their counting skills

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should:

13 October 2021 n support children's independent learning further by adopting a more flexible approach to planned activities when needed.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY562368 Local authority Medway Inspection number 10190816 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 2 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2018. She lives in Gillingham, Kent. The childminder provides care from Monday to Thursday, all day and for most of the year. The childminder is qualified to level 3.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the 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 looked at a sample of documents and certificates. n The inspector spoke to the childminder and the children at various points during the inspection. n The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback. n The inspector held a discussion with the childminder to understand how the early years provision and curriculum are organised. n The inspector observed the childminder to assess the impact of the teaching and learning.

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Inspection activities

13 October 2021 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 October 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

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