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 are happy, safe and secure in the care of the warm and welcoming environment that the childminder provides. Children show delight when they arrive to begin their day and happily say goodbye to their parents and carers. They know the routines well. For instance, even the youngest children take off their shoes, and collect their water bottles from their bags ready to begin their day.

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The provision is good

Children have developed close bonds with the childminder, and as a result feel confident in her care. For example, when children need support or their personal care needs meeting, these are done with love and comfort from the childminder. Children show that they are becoming increasingly independent with routines, as they access the cups and plates they need to set the table for mealtimes. They select the food they would like from a vast variety of healthy and balanced options. They cut their own fruit and pour their own water from jugs. Children lead the conversations at mealtimes and interact with each other about their home experiences, and what they have been doing during the day.

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The provision is good

Children show high levels of respect for each other and visitors to the setting. They understand that toys and resources are for sharing and are often heard saying 'sharing is caring'. The childminder embeds these skills from day one to ensure that she provides consistent messages to the children regarding behaviour expectations, of not only each other but their environment as well.

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need to do better?

n The childminder provides opportunities for children to visit local parks and woodlands. However, she does not make the best use of her outdoor space at home to encourage children to be as physically active as possible, or to further explore the natural world around them. This does not fully support those children who learn better outdoors. n The childminder has a good structure and routines that the children know well and cooperate with. For example, the children show excitement when it is circle time and they all come together to sing. However, portions of the day are heavily adult-led. This impacts on children being able to independently access resources without the support of an adult at all times. n Children have meaningful opportunities to learn about the wider world. For instance, they take regular trips to museums, zoos and get to experience going on buses to other local places of interest. The childminder understands the

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need to do better?

impact that COVID-19 has had on children. For instance, she meets with another childminder at local parks, so the children get opportunities to mix and interact with others. n The childminder gets to know children and their families thoroughly before they

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need to do better?

30 June 2022 start. For instance, the childminder arranges home visits for potential new starters, so she can meet the child and family in their own home. This provides opportunities for the childminder to understand the children and get to know them before they come for settling-in sessions. n Parents are extremely happy with the care and education that their children receive. Parents comment that their children have made great progress in the short time that they have been attending. They praise the information that the childminder shares with them. For example, she sends them regular updates during the day and photos of what their children are learning. She also shares information about what the children are learning so this can continue at home. At times when children are absent from the setting, the childminder provides home learning packs, so the children can continue to have the same experiences

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need to do better?

as the children in her care. n Teaching is embedded well. Children can talk confidently about what they have been learning and recall past experiences. For instance, the children have been learning about healthy eating and can fluently talk about foods that they should eat more often and food that are special treats. This also extends to oral health, as the children role play toothbrushing after eating meals. n The childminder is very reflective. She regularly accesses courses and webinars to extend her learning and the opportunities she provides for the children. For example, she has recently undertaken training to support her with how to introduce loose parts play into the environment.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder is very knowledgeable with a vast and varied range of safeguarding skills. She understands the local and more national risks to children. She is aware of radicalisation and extremism and how these can present in children. She undertakes thorough safeguarding training and accesses webinars to ensure that her knowledge is consistently up to date. The premises are safe and secure and procedures are in place to ensure that others cannot gain access while children are in her care. When taking the children out of the setting, she has risk assessments in place. She also teaches the children about how to keep themselves safe. The childminder understands her duty to inform Ofsted of any changes to the suitability for herself or household members, ensuring only suitable people have access to the children.

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should:

n enhance the curriculum for the provision of outdoor play so it provides children with opportunities to develop and extend their physical skills

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should:

30 June 2022 n be mindful of the time spent on adult-led activities and provide children with resources that they can explore themselves, enabling them to be more independent and self-curious learners.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2555252 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10232082 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 4 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder lives in Gravesend, Kent. The childminder cares for children, from Monday to Friday, from 7am to 6pm, all year round. The childminder holds a relevant early years qualification at level 3. She receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting 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 her evaluation of the setting. n The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback. n The inspector spoke to the childminder and children at various points throughout the visit. n The inspector held a discussion with the childminder to understand how the early years provision and curriculum are organised. n The inspector observed the childminder to assess the quality of education.

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Inspection activities

30 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

30 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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