Mrs Jo-Anne Ratcliff

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in the childminder's nurturing care. She prioritises their emotional well-being to meet their individual routines and care needs. As a result, children feel very safe and are exceptionally confident. They settle quickly and make informed choices in their play from the wealth of resources on offer. Children have a positive attitude to learning and persevere with tasks. For instance, they have high levels of concentration as they focus on getting dinosaurs out of ice blocks. They have excellent problem-solving skills as they use a variety of tools, water, and their mouth to melt the ice.

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The provision is outstanding

The behaviour of the children is impeccable. They have excellent sharing and negotiation skills. For instance, children offer other resources to their friends so that they can take a turn with a toy they have. The older children are terrific role models. For example, they show younger children how to collect water from the bottom water tray and pour it into the top of the water chute. They carefully use the step so that they can reach the top of the chute. Children take managed risks in their play as they climb steps and learn how to use equipment safely. Children have a highly impressive understanding of the importance of helping and sharing.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is passionate about caring for children. She has an exemplary knowledge of the stage of development of all children in her care. The childminder has high expectations for children and plans an incredibly focused curriculum to help support their development. n Professional development is extremely important to the childminder. She strives to continually improve her already outstanding practice. She completes regular online training and disseminates her outstanding knowledge and skills to other professionals. For example, she runs groups and shares information on social media to support other childminders. n The childminder provides children with a language-rich environment. Children have limitless opportunities to hear new and familiar words throughout the day. The childminder engages them in high-quality back-and-forth conversation. As a result, children learn a wide range of new words, such as grasshopper and

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need to do better?

cricket. She sensitively repeats words back as the children attempt to say them so that they hear the correct pronunciation. The childminder uses an array of teaching techniques to support children to develop their communication and language skills. n The childminder is extremely proficient at incorporating mathematics into children's everyday play and activities. For instance, children learn to recognise big and small using a variety of objects. The childminder skilfully incorporates size into children's drawings. Children excitedly make marks using chalk on the

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need to do better?

21 July 2022 blackboard. They explore big and small circles as well as drawing and naming other shapes, such as triangles and hexagons. n Children benefit from well-established daily routines. The childminder has an excellent knowledge of how to support children who are new to her setting. For example, she makes highly effective use of home visits and settling-in sessions to ensure she has extensive knowledge of the children before they start with her. n The childminder provides children with a wealth of experiences to enhance their cultural capital. For example, she takes the children to exhibitions and the library to learn about different cultures and explore the local community. The childminder makes exceptional use of photographs and technology to develop discussion points and encourage children to recall past events they have engaged in. n Parents are extremely pleased with the information the childminder gives them.

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need to do better?

The childminder encourages parents to share information about home activities. She is adept at incorporating this information into the curriculum to ensure she focuses on children's emerging interests. The childminder has established very positive relationships with the parents. n The childminder makes sure that children understand the importance of having lots of water to drink in the hot weather. The children notice the bird bath is empty. They make several attempts to carefully carry jugs of water to fill it. They are over the moon when they achieve their goal and proudly show the childminder the water they have given the birds. The childminder offers children a wealth of opportunities to care for living things and their environment.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder is proactive in ensuring she keeps her training up to date. As a result, she has an extremely in-depth knowledge of safeguarding, and clearly recognises the signs and symptoms of possible abuse. This included issues such as 'County Lines' and being alert to extreme behaviours and views. The childminder has an extensive knowledge of how to maintain children's well-being. She has implemented robust risk assessments. The childminder is very aware of the importance of taking additional precautions in hot weather to keep children hydrated and cool. She is extremely vigilant when children are playing with water outside to keep them safe.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 126430 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10136257 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 9 Date of previous inspection 9 December 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2001 and lives in Ditton, near Aylesford, Kent. The childminder operates from Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6pm, for most of the year. She holds a relevant early years qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting has received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken this into account in their evaluation of the setting. n During the learning walk, the childminder explained how she organises the curriculum and the aims for her setting. n The inspector and childminder observed the children engaged in a specific activity and the childminder fed back to the inspector about the learning taking place. n Written documentation was reviewed. This included policies and procedures and the childminders training certificates. n The inspector read several letters of reference to gain parents views on the service they receive from the childminder.

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Inspection activities

21 July 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 July 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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