Childminder in Medway

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

Generally, children acquire the necessary skills to help them progress in their learning. They access a choice of resources and enjoy imaginative play, such as dressing up as superheroes and playing with the dolls. Children say, 'I like to play mummies'. However, some adult-led activities do not always sustain children's attention or provide sufficient challenge. For example, during a creative activity, some children lose interest and wander off.

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The provision requires improvement

Overall, most children are starting to manage their own behaviour. However, some children find it difficult to share or understand the need to follow instructions, such as to tidy up. Although the childminder adopts strategies to support children to manage their actions, these are not always effective. Some unwanted behaviour persists throughout the session.

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The provision requires improvement

Children smile and respond positively to the childminder and her assistants. They are secure in their surroundings and move freely from one room to another with confidence. The childminder knows the children well and offers regular cuddles to support their well-being. Children say they like to sing 'The Wheels on the Bus'. The childminder has expectations for all the children to do well. Children have access to the outdoor space and enjoy the fresh air and exercise. Older children are developing good independence in their personal care.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a basic understanding of what the curriculum should contain. However, she identifies how her assistants are not as consistently secure on what they want children to learn from the planned activities. This results in a variable quality of teaching. As a result, the curriculum is inconsistently implemented. Children's individual requirements are not always targeted well enough to what they need to develop next. Some children's learning is not extended and they become disengaged. n There is a focus on communication and language in the setting. Staff sing to the children regularly as a large group and spontaneously in play. Children join in with enthusiasm and often will suggest a favourite song. They hear repeated rhymes and have regular times to practise words and sounds. Some children hold up wooden spoons with nursery rhyme characters painted on them. This indicates which songs they would like to sing. Children have access to a variety

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need to do better?

of books and enjoy sharing these. They are keen to turn the pages and are familiar with what comes next. n Parents speak well of the care and education their children receive. They are kept informed of their children's progress and praise the learning journeys that the childminder produces. The childminder finds out what children like and enjoy

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need to do better?

18 January 2022 during the settling-in process. She uses familiar toys, such as 'Peppa Pig' and dinosaurs, to interest the children when they leave their parents at the front door. n The childminder has undertaken a professional development course to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She uses the knowledge that she has gained from training to support children with their ongoing development. However, she identifies that she is not secure in the process to follow if she has to refer children to other professionals. This means that children may not be referred promptly to receive early support or receive a consistent approach to closing the gaps in their development. n The childminder reviews her documentation regularly to ensure that correct procedures are followed. However, records for monitoring children's attendance are not always accurate. This is because the childminder completes the registers

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need to do better?

with requested attendance patterns and this does not reflect the actual hours they attend. n The childminder encourages children to adopt healthy practices. For instance, she reminds them to wipe their noses with tissues and dispose of them in the bin. Children enjoy activities such as making fruit smoothies. The childminder shares how this promotes children's healthy eating. However, at inspection, during snack time, children were given unhealthy food options, such as crisps, from parents and the childminder. No discussions were held with children to reinforce their understanding of healthy eating choices .

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistants have completed training to ensure that their safeguarding knowledge remains current. They understand their responsibilities with regard to safeguarding. This includes the procedures to follow if they have concerns about a colleague's practice. They know the signs of possible abuse or neglect, including wider safeguarding issues, such as radicalisation. Robust recruitment procedures ensure that assistants are suitable. As designated safeguarding lead, the childminder has an awareness of how to report concerns about a child's safety. Paediatric first-aid training has been completed which included the actions to take in the event of a child choking.

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Due date

18 January 2022 implement a full curriculum that takes account of the individual learning needs of each child, so that children can make the best possible progress in all areas of learning 16/02/2022

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Due date

ensure that children who may need additional help with their speech are provided with timely support, including from external agencies 16/02/2022

p.4

Due date

maintain an accurate daily record of the names of children being cared for on the premises and their hours of attendance. 16/02/2022

p.4

should:

n consider how strategies for managing behaviour can be further improved to help all children regulate their own behaviour n ensure that children's good health is effectively promoted at all times.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2535125 Local authority Medway Inspection number 10214588 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 9 Number of children on roll 25 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2019 and lives in Rochester, Kent. She operates all year round, from 6.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She works with two assistants who have relevant childcare qualifications. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while with the childminder. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder, assistants and children.

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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

18 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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