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 have secure attachments with the childminder and their peers. They benefit from positive interactions from the childminder. This helps to promote children's emerging communication and language skills. Children are happy, content and confident because the childminder knows them well. She provides them with the care and learning opportunities relating to their individual needs and personalities.

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The provision is good

Children are encouraged to explore and experiment in their play. The childminder entices them to try new play experiences. She reassures them to have a go and uses high levels of praise and recognition to help them develop a sense of pride from their efforts.

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The provision is good

Children choose from a large range of challenging activities and resources that promote all areas of learning. They choose where to play, either inside or outside, all year round. Children have made great leaps in their development, especially in their confidence to explore and experiment. Younger children have made great progress in their physical skills. For example, babies that had limited social interaction during the COVID-19 pandemic now confidently explore the setting and play alongside others. They stretch for resources, shuffle, crawl and pull themselves up with the sensitive support from the childminder.

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need to do better?

n The childminder promotes good communication and language skills, particularly for older children. She helps children to think, listen and respond vocally, through facial expressions, gestures and words. The childminder extends children vocabulary, introducing new words throughout their play. However, on occasions, the childminder does not always fully focus on increasing younger children's early vocabulary and acquisition of new words. For instance, she does not consistently encourage younger children to babble and to be part of the conversation. n Children learn to keep themselves safe. They show a clear understanding of the importance of hygiene practices. For example, they know they have to wash their hands before eating snacks. Children independently help themselves to soap and run the water to wash their hands correctly. The childminder discusses safety with children as part of their daily routine. For instance, she teaches

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need to do better?

children to look both ways and listen for cars when crossing roads. The childminder offers appropriate advice to parents with regard to safe foods to eat. For example, she talks to parents about cutting grapes lengthways to prevent choking and guides them through the weaning process to introduce new tastes and textures.

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need to do better?

17 February 2022 n Parents make positive comments about the care their children receive. The childminder has initiated good communication systems to help keep parents well informed of their child's progress. Parents appreciate the support the childminder provided during the pandemic lockdown periods. However, the childminder has not yet established effective relationships with other settings that children attend. This does not fully support continuity in care and learning. n The childminder provides plenty of opportunities and experiences for children to mix and play with many different children. She encourages this to help children to develop social skills, learn to negotiate and cooperate with others. This helps to support their readiness for school. n Children receive sensitive and effective support when making their transitions to the next place of learning. The childminder has good links with schools. She has

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need to do better?

developed an effective information sharing system which provides opportunities for children to become familiar with their new surroundings. n The childminder has a very positive attitude towards the continuous improvement of her service. She assesses how effective her curriculum is for each child by looking at the pace in which children are making progress. The childminder accesses training and support through a network of local childminders. She shares good practices, new ideas and identifies training needs. The childminder uses community forums to gain additional advice and information from other professionals. n The childminder has a clear understanding of each child's level of development. She knows the children well and adapts most activities successfully according to their ability and interests. The childminder carefully extends children's thinking through effective questioning to help promote their problem solving and

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a clear understanding of child protection procedures. She has attended up-to-date training and has relevant information to refer to if she has a concern about a child in her care. The childminder provides a safe and secure environment for children. She assesses her home for their ever changing physical needs to help support their independence in their play. The childminder promotes children's understanding of keeping healthy. They choose when to play outside and learn about keeping themselves warm during cold weather. The childminder has appropriate, current policies and procedures in place, that are shared with parents to promote children's ongoing safety and welfare.

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should:

17 February 2022 n develop ways to enhance younger children's communication and language to extend and increase their vocabulary and acquisition of new words n establish effective relationships with other settings that children attend in order to further promote positive outcomes for children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY549216 Local authority Medway Inspection number 10126968 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 4 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 2017. She lives in Rainham, Kent. The childminder operates Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 5.30pm, throughout the year. She offers funded places for three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider 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 provider. n The childminder and inspector completed a learning walk to discuss the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection about what they enjoy doing while with the childminder. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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Inspection activities

17 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.

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Inspection activities

17 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.

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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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