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 Not applicable

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The provision is outstanding

Children are incredibly happy and settled in the care of the childminder and her assistant. They are highly confident and engage exceedingly well in an exciting and challenging range of activities, particularly outdoors in the natural environment, where they flourish and thrive. Whether they are climbing in the woodland area, exploring different bird feathers or recalling what they have previously learned about bugs, they play extremely kindly and considerately together. Children have excellent manners and cooperate, share and take turns with each other.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are incredibly well behaved. The childminder and her assistant are exemplary role models and have high expectations for all children. They give children time and undivided attention to fully extend their learning. For example, children are superbly supported by the childminder to enhance their physical skills when using real tools during a creative activity. They learn excellent safety routines and procedures to follow when cutting wood and drilling holes in it.

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The provision is outstanding

Children show high levels of concentration. They listen with interest to the exciting stories and songs that adults enthusiastically share with them. They take pride in their learning and cannot wait to share what they have learned with their friends. Children are incredibly well prepared for the next stages in their learning or the move on to school.

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need to do better?

n The curriculum is extremely well planned. The childminder and her assistant implement this seamlessly through the children's play and exploration, allowing them to build and extend their skills. They precisely assess what children can do and meticulously plan for what they need to learn next. The extensive outside areas are used particularly well to enrich children's learning. n The childminder and her assistant meticulously plan activities, including those which take place outside. They are highly vigilant and teach children the importance of managing risks and learning how to do things safely. For example, when children use the woodland area, they know exactly how to use real tools safely as they have learned how to do this over time. They climb and swing and confidently make decisions that they feel safe with. n Children's speech and language skills are superbly supported. The childminder and assistant speak extremely clearly, asking children precise and well-

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need to do better?

considered questions and giving them ample time to consider a response. n Children develop a keen sense of responsibility. They learn to respect resources and their environment. They are keen to help set up the environment. For example, children delight in working together as a team to transport their equipment through the woods. They negotiate with each other to agree on a

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need to do better?

20 June 2022 strategy to most effectively carry the baskets together. n The childminder and her assistant have an excellent understanding of the importance of promoting children's physical development. They provide an array of equipment and plenty of space for children to refine their coordination, balance and climbing skills. Children are actively encouraged to take risks, with close supervision to ensure their safety. This contributes greatly to children's confidence, resilience and their rapid development of new physical skills. n The organisation of the childminder's service is excellent. For example, she networks with other professionals to keep her practice fresh. She demonstrates a very strong passion for her work and is highly reflective in her practice. She is committed to her own personal development. She focuses exceptionally well and actively pursues training opportunities to support children's learning and

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need to do better?

development. For instance, the childminder has created an inspirational environment where children learn and play to their highest potential. n The childminder is highly encouraging of her assistant's skills and has an extremely sharp focus on identifying their individual strengths and working together to provide outstanding learning opportunities for the children. This is achieved through purposeful evaluation and impeccable partnership working. n The childminder establishes excellent partnerships with parents and other childcare providers. Parents report that they are very pleased with the 'fantastic service' that the childminder provides. They value the way she supports children to develop character and comment on how well children thrive in her care. They are grateful for the childminder's insightful help and advice, which enable them to support their child's learning at home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant have a very strong awareness of possible risks to children and of how to keep them safe. They demonstrate a very clear understanding of the signs to look out for in relation to possible safeguarding concerns. The childminder and assistant have an excellent knowledge of what to do should they have a concern about children or staff, and know what procedures to follow. They provide excellent support to children to keep them safe and healthy. For example, children have an excellent understanding of assessing risks and benefit from exciting physical challenges. Children play and learn in a secure, well-maintained, fascinating environment, where adults are vigilant to any potential risks.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2570462 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10239421 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2020. She lives in Hawkhurst, Kent. She is a qualified teacher and holds early years professional status. The childminder operates on a Monday, all day. She works each session with an assistant and provides a forest school session from her private woodland area.

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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 childminder. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, in the childminder's home and at the woodland premises, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector reviewed written feedback from parents and children and took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

20 June 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

20 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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