Childminder in Kent

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children have warm and affectionate bonds with the kind and caring childminder. They are happy and relaxed in her care. Children have a strong sense of belonging in the setting and are developing a sense of themselves in the wider world. They benefit from trips to a range of local places of interest, including the beach. Children thrive from the new experiences and excel in confidence, as a result. They return to the setting to enjoy recalling their encounters. They delight in exploring the 'treasures', such as interesting stones and shells that they have found.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy activities that capture their current fascinations. They make good progress as they enjoy activities that match their age and stage of development. Children show that they are safe and secure as they interact with their friends. They explore activities together and the childminder encourages them to have kindness and respect for one another in their play. Children receive positive praise for their sharing and turn-taking skills. They display their achievements around the setting and are encouraged to celebrate their successes with friends.

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need to do better?

n A large outdoor area provides children with opportunities for physical development. Children also visit local parks and a gymnastic club, to secure and embed new skills. They develop well from the careful placement of tools that stretch and challenge their abilities. For example, the childminder provides different scissors so that children strengthen their finger muscles when they chop herbs for their mud kitchen recipes. n The childminder consistently talks to children to help them to practise and embed new language. Children enjoy stories that help them to identify rhyming sentences and join in with the text. However, during the childminder's storytelling there are some points where she does not make the most of opportunities to extend children's ideas about the features of the story even further. n The childminder provides a wide range of opportunities for children to understand their place in the world. Her attitude towards maintaining children's

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need to do better?

positive mental health is exemplary. For example, the childminder uses information that is special to children, to ensure that they feel secure. She encourages them to express themselves appropriately, to regulate their feelings. This gives children excellent skills and the expertise necessary to continue to achieve well in their future development. n Children are very sociable and form strong, positive relationships with the childminder and their peers. Behaviour is very good and the childminder is skilful in her strategies to remind children of the rules and boundaries in the setting. At times, however, she does not take opportunities to explain and describe the

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need to do better?

21 June 2022 effect of children's behaviour on themselves and their friends. n The childminder provides experiences that help children explore and celebrate the differences between themselves and others. For example, when exploring the topic of growth, the children draw around each other and investigate features that make them unique. They reflect on what living things need to maintain growth. Children understand what is important to ensure a healthy lifestyle, such as nutrition, good oral health and exercise. n The childminder has an exceptional attitude towards continually improving her practice. She strives to evaluate her practice to maintain high quality. The childminder understands the impact of her own ongoing professional development on children's learning and development. For example, she focuses on ways to include children with special educational needs and/or disabilities more effectively. This additional effort to ensure that she understands how

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need to do better?

children learn means that all children make consistent progress. n Parents describe the childminder as a 'key supporting guide' in their lives as she provides information that helps with the all-round development of their children. They benefit from opportunities to share in their children's experiences at the setting. The childminder invites families to attend the setting at a variety of different events. As a result, both parents and children delight in the chance to socialise and make new friends.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder is aware of her role and responsibilities in keeping children safe. She knows how to identify potential risks, such as signs of neglect or abuse. She knows how to source advice correctly or report concerns to external support networks. The childminder makes sure that the premises are secure so that children are safe. She completes thorough risk assessments and involves children in evacuation procedures by practising fire drills. When on outings, the childminder ensures that she carries first-aid kits. She maintains records of accidents and incidents and ensures that she has a stringent medicine and sun cream policy.

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should:

n increase the support and encouragement for children to contribute their ideas and extend their thinking when sharing stories n explain the consequences of behaviour to children so that they have a better understanding of their actions.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2577852 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10239592 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 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 Aylesham, near Canterbury, Kent. She operates Monday to Friday, from 7.30am until 5.30pm, all year round, except for family holidays and public holidays. The childminder is qualified to level 2. She accepts children aged two, three and four years old who are eligible for funding.

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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 inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children. n Parents shared their views on the setting 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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