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 Good

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The provision is good

Children are very happy and settled in the childminder's care. The childminder, her co-childminder and assistants are very warm, caring and attentive towards children. As a result, children are confident and build secure attachments. They happily and independently explore a stimulating environment which the childminder considers based on their individual needs and interests. Babies develop important physical skills as they are given space to roll and practise tummy time. Older children are being well prepared in readiness for school. For example, the childminder provides opportunities for them to practise their pencil grip during mark-making activities and as they use pincers to sort items by shape and colour. Children strengthen important muscles for future writing skills as they combine ingredients and make their own dough with their hands.

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The provision is good

Children form strong friendships with each other. They enjoy spending time playing together and happily share and take turns. Older children are very kind and gentle towards babies, who relish their interactions by responding with broad smiles. The childminder, her co-childminder and assistants provide children with ample opportunities to learn about the world around them. For example, they planned an exciting Jubilee-themed scavenger hunt for children to explore the local area. Children learn about insects, what they grow into and how they eat through minibeast activities. They are encouraged to learn about and celebrate their similarities and cultural differences. Children have daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise playing in the garden and during trips to local parks.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has high expectations for all children. She monitors children's development closely and uses this to inform her intentions for their ongoing learning. She shares this information with her co-childminder, her assistants and staff at her nearby nursery where children also attend. This ensures there is a joined-up approach to help children move on to the next stage in their learning. As a result, children make good progress. n Children enjoy a wide range of activities to support their development across all areas of learning. They thoroughly enjoy their time in the childminder's care and are constantly occupied in adult-led and children-led play. However, the childminder does not always organise the environment or provide activities to ensure that children are consistently engaged in meaningful learning or fully challenged. n Partnerships with parents are positive. The childminder, her co-minder and

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need to do better?

assistants keep parents regularly updated about their child's progress. The childminder takes time to share photographs of children's emerging achievements during the day. Parents are very satisfied with the care and

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need to do better?

21 June 2022 learning provided. They feel that their children are well prepared in readiness for school and are able to flourish in the childminder's care. n The childminder positively supports older children's communication and literacy skills. She talks to children constantly as they play and genuinely takes an interest in what they say. The childminder provides well-thought-out activities to help children to recognise letters and the sounds they make. She asks children questions to help them link and match pictures with words and letters in print. Children show a clear thirst to learn as they successfully match letter cards with pictures. However, at times, the childminder does not ensure that children have sufficient time to think and respond to the questions she asks before helping them herself. n Children gain a good understanding of healthy lifestyles. They enjoy a selection of healthy fruit platters at snack times and eat balanced meals at lunch. The

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need to do better?

childminder, her co-childminder and assistants remind children to stay hydrated in the warmer weather. Children learn how to move and control their bodies through regular, fun yoga activities in the garden. They understand the importance of washing their hands before eating and after using the toilet. n The childminder monitors the practice of her assistants and provides them with regular supervision and coaching. She and her co-childminder are very reflective of their own practice. They meet as a team with their assistants on a regular basis to discuss the delivery of the curriculum and make sure that all have a clear focus on how to help children achieve the next stage in their learning. However, the childminder has not yet considered ways in which she could focus her own professional development to ensure her own practice is of the highest quality. n Children's behaviour is very good. They play in harmony together and alongside

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need to do better?

each other. They instinctively understand the importance of sharing toys and taking turns. As a result, children form positive friendships with each other. They seek each other out to share experiences.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder keeps her safeguarding knowledge up to date on a regular basis. She has a clear understanding of the signs which could indicate a child is at risk of harm. She is clear about the reporting procedures she must follow if she has concerns about a child's welfare. This includes if an allegation is made against her co-childminder or assistants. The childminder provides a safe and secure environment for children to play in. She maintains highly effective communication with her co-childminder and assistants to ensure children are always supervised as they free play indoors and outdoors. She consistently maintains a current paediatric first-aid certificate.

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should:

n make better use of knowledge of children's next steps to provide an environment which offers continuously high levels of stimulation and challenge to help children make the highest rates of learning n tailor interactions with children to ensure that they consistently have opportunities to think and respond to questions, and try things out for themselves n identify further ways to focus professional development and self-evaluation in order to raise the quality of teaching and practice to the highest level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY441121 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10075059 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 11 July 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2012 and lives in Dartford, Kent. She provides care Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm, throughout most of the year. She works with a co-childminder and assistants.

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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 Parents shared their views of the setting in writing with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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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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