Childminder in Kent

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in the childminder's care. They join in the skilfully planned activities with great enthusiasm. Children eagerly gather round the childminder, confident in the knowledge that there will be something exciting or interesting for them to do. They concentrate for very long periods, becoming fully engrossed and gaining a wealth of skills and knowledge. For example, children have great fun exploring a tray of small objects linked to their recent interest in frost. They carefully practise picking up cotton 'snowballs' using spoons of different sizes, and successfully copy the childminder as she demonstrates how to operate tweezers. This very effectively supports children in developing their hand strength and coordination.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are becoming highly independent learners. They are fully settled and make excellent use of the freedom they have to explore the wonderful resources and to choose the games they want to play. For example, very young children often choose to sit with a friend on their favourite armchair to look at a book.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is impeccable. They are happy, friendly and develop extremely mature social skills for their ages. Children under two years share, take turns and show great kindness to each other. For example, they pour drinks for their friends and ensure that they are fully included in games.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a thorough knowledge of how children learn and very successfully supports each child to reach their full potential. She plans activities and experiences that are precisely targeted to meet children's individual care and learning needs. The childminder's warm, caring interaction gives children the confidence to try things for themselves and very successfully promotes their emotional well-being. n The childminder makes excellent use of opportunities to continually enhance her skills and knowledge. For example, following training, she has improved the way that she supports children's communication. The childminder uses highly effective and purposeful strategies to help young children develop their vocabularies. She listens very patiently and offers wonderful encouragement as they practise forming their new words, giving them the confidence to express themselves. Children are making remarkable progress in their area.

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need to do better?

n The childminder seizes opportunities that arise to build on children's interests and extend their learning. For example, she recognises and celebrates the wonder they experience as they make footprints on the frosty ground. The childminder exploits the children's current fascination with the natural world to teach them about the names and behaviours of the birds and squirrels that visit the garden.

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need to do better?

12 January 2022 n Children regularly engage in activities that develop their physical strength and coordination. The childminder helps them to master skills such as climbing. She ensures that they feel secure and steady at each stage, helping them to assess risks before challenging themselves further. The childminder provides many opportunities and resources for children to gain the control and hand strength that they will later need to be able to write and use tools. In addition to activities such as playing with dough and making marks in cornflour, she considers everyday experiences such as peeling satsumas. n The childminder places a tremendous focus on promoting children's good health and helping them to develop their self-care skills. For example, she teaches them about the impact of exercise on their bodies. The childminder shows them how, by placing their hands on their chests, they can feel their heart beats. Very

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need to do better?

young children demonstrate a considerable understanding of the importance of healthy eating and the foods that are good for them. The childminder makes good use of a display that includes a 'snack dragon' to encourage children to recognise how to make healthy choices. n Partnerships with parents are highly effective. The childminder is very sensitive the concerns they may have, including those relating to COVID-19. She reorganised her home to use a room at the front as the main playroom. This enabled parents to be able to see that their children were settled when they were not able to enter the house. Parents praise all aspects of the childminder's service. They talk about the 'home-from-home' environment and the highly effective communication. All parents feel that their children are progressing very well.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a comprehensive, up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding matters. She is aware of the signs and symptoms that may indicate that a child is at risk, including the risks associated with extremist views or behaviours. The childminder knows how to refer concerns about children's welfare. She also knows the procedure to follow in the event of an allegation being made about any adult living or working in her household. The childminder is vigilant in her supervision at times when children are mastering new tasks, and helps them to develop the skills they need to manage risks independently.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 126850 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10136262 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 0 Date of previous inspection 17 September 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1999 and lives in Westbere, Kent. She operates her service from 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday throughout the year. The childminder holds an early years qualification at 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 childminder showed the inspector around all areas of the premises and discussed the educational programmes that she provides. n The inspector observed the interaction of the childminder and children during a range of activities, indoors and outdoors. n The inspector viewed a range of relevant documentation, including references provided for the inspection by the parents of all children attending. n The childminder and the inspector jointly considered the effectiveness of a planned activity.

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Inspection activities

12 January 2022 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

12 January 2022 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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