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

Children are very happy and comfortable in the childminder's care. They develop high levels of self-confidence and self-esteem. Children understand the routines of the day and behave extremely well. They display wonderful social skills. Children play cooperatively, treat each other kindly and listen well to gentle reminders or instructions from the childminder.

p.2

The provision is good

All children are making good progress with the childminder's support. They are very enthusiastic learners, engaging well in the activities on offer. Older children speak very knowledgeably about animals that live in cold conditions, following a topic based around winter. Younger children enjoy learning through exploration. For example, when using ice cubes to build towers, they discover the different temperature and textures.

p.2

The provision is good

Older children enjoy many opportunities to develop their physical skills in the garden and on the very regular local outings. Babies have lots of furniture to be able to pull themselves up. However, there is not always enough clear floor space to encourage them to practise walking. All children benefit from the targeted support to promote their language and are confident to express themselves. They love to look at books and often snuggle up to the childminder for a story.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder fully succeeds in her aims to provide a home-from-home environment where children feel secure. She has a strong commitment to continually reviewing the quality of her provision and seeking ways to continually improve. For example, the childminder has recently undertaken research to enhance her teaching around language. She uses the methods she has learned to support communication for the younger children effectively. n Teaching is strong overall. The childminder knows how to engage children and maximise their learning. She plans activities well to engage children's interest and identifies what she wants each child to learn. For example, during the activity to explore ice cubes, the childminder skilfully incorporated mathematics. She encouraged children's counting and discussed the different sizes of the cubes. n The childminder very skilfully encourages children's love of books. She uses

p.2

need to do better?

different voices and intonation well to engage children in the stories. However, the opportunities for children to practise making marks, drawing and writing are not as effective. The resources to support these activities are not as readily accessible to children as those for other areas of learning. n In addition to providing a broad range of experiences for children in her home, the childminder organises a lot of outings. Children visit services, such as the fire

p.2

need to do better?

8 February 2022 station and lifeboat station, to learn to take pride in their community. The childminder regularly takes children to local woodlands to explore nature and to experience the changing of seasons. n Partnerships with parents are highly successful. The childminder works closely with parents to coordinate the care for each child and shares ideas for activities to support their learning at home. Parents feed back that their children thoroughly enjoy attending. They are very happy with the progress their children are making. n The childminder promotes children's health very effectively She provides nutritious snacks and lunches, and talks to the children about what they are eating. She cuts fruit up into small pieces to reduce the risk of choking. Children enjoy making their own sandwiches and learning to make healthy food choices. Hygiene arrangements are good, and children learn about the importance of

p.2

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder is fully aware of her responsibility to keep children safe and has suitable arrangements in place. She knows how to identify the signs that may indicate a child is at risk and the procedures to follow if concerns arise. The childminder also understands the action to take in the event of an allegation against any person living or working on the premises. She has an up-to-date safeguarding policy that she shares with parents.

p.3

should:

n increase the opportunities for children to explore resources that encourage them to make marks and develop their writing skills n review the organisation of the environment to provide the youngest children with the space they need to practise walking.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY562030 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10190873 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 4 Number of children on roll 11 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2018 and lives in Deal, Kent. She operates from Tuesday to Friday between 8am and 5pm throughout the year. The childminder receives funding to provide free early education to children aged three and four years. She holds qualified teacher status.

p.4

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 childminder. n The childminder showed the inspector the areas of her home used for childminding, and discussed the intent behind her educational programmes. n The inspector observed the interaction between the childminder and children during a range of activities. n The inspector took account of the views of parents provided in writing for the inspection. n A range of relevant documentation was scrutinised.

p.4

Inspection activities

8 February 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

8 February 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.

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