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

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The provision is good

Children have lots of fun in the childminder's care. They are happy and settled. They form secure attachments with the childminder, her co-childminder and assistants from the start. Children enjoy playing with the good range of toys and interesting activities because the childminder fully considers their individual needs and interests. They show strong levels of concentration as they engage in activities of their choosing and are keen to learn. Older children sit for extended periods, getting creative with the play dough they have helped to make and colour themselves. Babies are thoroughly engaged in water play and watch what happens with interest as they splash hands and toys in the water.

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The provision is good

The childminder has high expectations for children's behaviour. She provides clear and consistent messages about how they need to keep themselves and each other safe. Consequently, children build strong bonds with each other and enjoy playing together. They enjoy interacting with babies, who smile widely in response as they shake sensory toys with them. Snack and mealtimes are a social affair as children enjoy sharing information with each other and adults about what they eat at home. Children have lots of opportunities to play and learn outdoors. They have fun practising yoga poses together while developing important physical skills as they try to control their bodies. Children take part in activities which help them to learn about their similarities and differences to others, such as by celebrating different cultural festivals and learning their meaning.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a good understanding of how to support children's development. There are clear intentions for children's learning which are well understood by the childminder, her co-childminder and assistants. She knows all children in her care well. The childminder plans activities to help them achieve what they need to do next to move on to the next stage in their learning. However, at times, the childminder does not focus her teaching to make sure that children fully benefit from the intended learning during activities. n Children's speech development is well supported. The childminder interacts with children constantly as they play and during routines such as mealtimes. She asks children questions, allows them time to respond and includes all children, including those less confident to communicate. She speaks to babies clearly, using single words, and models language well. n The childminder is adept at meeting babies' individual needs. She provides lots

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need to do better?

of warm cuddles and close interactions. She closely follows their individual routines and manages their care needs. Babies smile and giggle as she chats to them in high chairs as she feeds them. She responds to their cues and recognises when they are tired or need more stimulation. As a result, babies

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need to do better?

21 June 2022 settle quickly and are gaining confidence to explore the environment independently. n Children enjoy a range of interesting activities to help develop their mathematical skills. For example, children thoroughly enjoy making and colouring their own dough from scratch. The childminder provides them with a range of equipment to help children learn how to measure the ingredients they need to mix together. As a result, children learn how to use the language of weight and measurement as they add the unique ingredients to their mixing bowls. The childminder encourages them to count in sequence as they measure and pour the required scoops of flour. n Behaviour is very good. Children clearly understand the importance of sharing toys with their friends and taking turns. They follow instruction well, such as when they are reminded to wash their hands after using the toilet and before meals. They help to tidy resources away and sit together nicely to eat their

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need to do better?

lunches and snacks. n The childminder monitors the practice of her assistants during the day. She, her co-childminder and assistants meet weekly to plan activities and review the focus of the curriculum. However, the childminder is not consistently directly involved in the regular coaching and supervision of her assistants. She acknowledges that this is done more frequently by her co-childminder and leaders of the linked nursery her co-minder owns. n The childminder makes sure that she attends mandatory training to keep her paediatric first-aid and safeguarding knowledge up to date. She also keeps herself up to date with changes to the framework. She is reflective of her practice and recognises areas which could be enhanced to raise the quality of education further. However, she has not yet considered ways in which she could focus her own professional development to raise the quality of her own teaching

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder is able to recognise the signs which could indicate a child is at risk of harm. She is clear about the reporting processes she must follow if she has concerns about a child's welfare. She fully understands her responsibilities to promptly report any allegations against herself, her co-childminder or assistants. She provides a safe and secure environment for children to play in. She helps children to learn how to keep themselves and each other safe, such as by reminding them why it is important to sit properly on their chairs. She supervises children very well. She instinctively maintains good communication with her co- childminder and assistants to make sure that all children are properly supervised, both indoors and outdoors.

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should:

n enhance the delivery of planned activities to help children fully benefit from the intended learning and make the highest rates of progress in their development n fully embed the systems in place for the supervision and coaching of assistants by ensuring there is more direct involvement to raise the quality of teaching to the highest level n strengthen continuous professional development and self-evaluation to enhance existing knowledge and skills, and to help raise the quality of practice to the highest standards.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2617204 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10245416 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 18 Number of children on roll 8 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The provider registered in 2021. She works with a co-childminder and assistants in Dartford, Kent. She offers care Monday to Thursday, from 8am to 6pm. The provider has a relevant level 2 qualification in childcare.

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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 spoke to the inspector about their intentions for children's learning. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector sampled key documentation, including evidence of paediatric first aid and public liability insurance. n Parents shared written views of the setting which the inspector took account of.

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Inspection activities

21 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

21 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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