Childminder in Medway

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

Children settle well with the childminder and are happy to attend with their friends. Their care needs are met well. However, they have limited access to experiences that engage and excite them during planned play activities. Children become distracted and lack independence in their choices. They become bored and look to the assistants to provide entertainment, rather than engaging in opportunities that promote curiosity and learning through their own discovery. Children have a spacious place to play and independently access some resources in the welcoming playroom. Adult-directed activities engage children in a range of experiences. For example, with the childminder, they look out the window to spot a range of different wildlife and learn new names for different birds.

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The provision requires improvement

Children behave well and develop caring attitudes towards the childminder, her assistants and each other. They show kindness and readily share resources. Children know the rules and boundaries, such as not to climb and run inside. The childminder and her assistants follow a familiar routine that helps children feel safe and secure. For instance, children know where to sit for their lunch and where they go to sleep.

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need to do better?

n Children make progress in communication and language as a result of the adult- directed activities experienced. For example, they recite names of pictures on cards shown by the childminder. However, this limits opportunities for them to fully engage in an exciting and immersive experience, such as during their independent play. Therefore, children become reliant on the childminder's prompts, rather than experiences that enable them to practise conversations more naturally, during their independent play. n The childminder and her assistants take part in play activities with children. They offer opportunities to explore taking care of the natural world, such as growing seeds and hatching caterpillars. Children learn new words as they describe the changes that occur through the seasons. They collect fruit from the apple tree and take it home to share with their families. The childminder and her assistants

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need to do better?

offer warm encouragement and praise when engaging in songs and games. As a result, children become more confident in their abilities. n Children share some aspects of their home lives, such as special celebrations or details about their siblings and pets. The childminder and her assistants encourage parents to share achievements via an effective two-way communication system. They share the photos with children and encourage them to take it in turn to speak and listen about what makes them unique. This encourages them to get to know each other and recognise some of the ways they are similar and different.

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need to do better?

13 June 2022 n The childminder works well with practitioners that share responsibility for the children in her care. For example, she has friendly relationships with other settings that children attend, such as their pre-school. She shares effective strategies that have earned positive outcomes for those children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The childminder gains important information about children's progress and development from other professionals, such as a language therapist, to ensure a consistent approach. n The childminder works with her assistants well and is eager to develop the provision. She seeks support where needed, such as from other childminding colleagues. She completes mandatory training, including safeguarding and paediatric first aid. She ensures that her assistants keep up to date with current practice and that they are well supported in their roles. This means that the

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need to do better?

children's welfare and care needs are met well. n Parents are happy with the childminder's provision and comment that she is flexible and reliable. The childminder's communication methods are effective and parents enjoy daily photos of their children's experiences. They feel confident that their children are happy at the setting and that they continue to enjoy the experiences provided by the childminder and her assistants.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistants understand their responsibilities to keep children safe and have completed child protection training. They check the home and garden daily, to help them identify and remove any hazards. They also ensure precautions are in place, such as safety gates, so that children can play safely. The childminder and her assistants supervise children closely in the home and outside. They understand how to recognise possible signs of abuse or neglect and know that any concerns must be reported.

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Due date

provide a wider range of experiences that are interesting and stimulating for children to help them when choosing activities independently 13/07/2022

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Due date

13 June 2022 improve planning to ensure that children receive further opportunities to practise communication and language skills through engaging experiences during independent play. 13/07/2022

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY299756 Local authority Medway Inspection number 10228384 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 14 Date of previous inspection 9 December 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2009. The childminder lives in Wainscott, in Rochester, Kent. She works with up to two assistants. She provides care Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6pm for most of the year, with the exception of family holidays and bank holidays. The childminder holds a level 3 qualification and receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years old.

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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 showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure they are safe and suitable. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about their intentions for children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder, one of her assistants and children. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request, including the suitability of staff.

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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

13 June 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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