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 have positive relationships with the childminder and her assistant. They happily sit close to the childminder to look at a book or to chat amicably about their experiences. Children feel safe and secure in this warm and welcoming setting. They learn how to keep safe when using equipment. For example, they understand that they must sit at the top of the slide, rather than stand. Children understand the need for sun cream to prevent sunburn. They enjoy their time at the setting. They confidently lead their own learning and choose their activities from the range available. For example, some children wrap the dolls in blankets and put them to bed, while others enjoy playing with the garage and cars. Children behave well and are respectful. They respond to the high expectations of the childminder. They understand that there are boundaries to observe. For instance, they respond appropriately when asked not to throw things. Children learn to care for living

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The provision is good

things. For example, they remember to stroke the cat gently.

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The provision is good

Children are encouraged to eat healthily and to try new foods, such as apples or grapes. They know the importance of dental hygiene and comment, 'The dentist says my teeth are very clean.' Learning is effective. For example, children recall the name of the periwinkle flower they saw recently when out with the childminder.

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need to do better?

n Parents are very happy with the service provided by the childminder. They share their child's likes and dislikes with the childminder at the outset. Parents are pleased with the regular communication they receive about their child's learning and progress, including how they can help to support their children's learning at home. Parents are confident that their children are safe and secure. n The childminder establishes what children can and cannot do when they start at her setting. She plans appropriate activities, which based on their interests. For example, the childminder successfully builds on children's interest in sea creatures by encasing a toy dolphin and shark in ice. As children work out how to free the toys, they use their developing curiosity and observation skills to note that the shark has 'lots of sharp teeth' but the dolphin does not. The childminder monitors children's progress and plans further suitable activities to address any

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need to do better?

gaps in learning. This helps children to make good progress. n Children follow established routines. They understand the need to wash their hands before eating. However, the childminder is not always consistent in her aims to promote children's independence. For example, she is sometimes too quick to help with tasks that children are learning to do for themselves, such as blowing their nose and putting on their shoes. n The childminder provides children with a wide range of opportunities to develop their physical skills. In the garden, they safely use the different-sized slides and

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need to do better?

17 August 2022 play with bats and balls. The childminder regularly takes children to local parks and to the woods, where they run and climb. Children have great fun exploring the natural world. n The childminder talks to children clearly. She repeats words and phrases back to them to help to support their pronunciation skills. Children read books together and young children can turn the pages and comment on the pictures. However, at times, the childminder does not always recognise opportunities to build on children's interests to extend their vocabulary, such as describing the feel of different textures. n The childminder ensures that children are familiar with other cultures. She often uses the experiences of children in her setting to help to support their understanding of a range of festivals. For example, children hung decorations on blossoming trees to celebrate a Bulgarian festival. n The childminder is reflective about her setting and is keen to make

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need to do better?

improvements. For example, she plans to reorganise her resources, take photos and create flip books, to enable children to look at and select the things they want to play with more easily. She holds regular discussions with her assistant about their practice and training needs. n The childminder has good links with other providers in the area. She, and other childminders, participate in a regular group activity to help to support children's creativity, particularly with music. Where there is dual care, she shares information with other settings children attend, to ensure that there is consistency in their learning and care. n Children have opportunities to practise mark making in a range of ways, for example through using technology and through more traditional means. Children like to use the electronic pads to try and write their names. Outside, they draw and make marks on the chalkboards.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant have a thorough knowledge of the signs and symptoms that may suggest a child is at risk of harm. This includes risks of wider safeguarding issues, such as radicalisation. They are acutely aware of the dangers of social media and how vulnerable children may be recruited for illegal activities. The childminder and her assistant know the procedures to follow should they have a concern about a child. There are clear protocols in place should an allegation be made about the childminder, her assistant or any family member. The childminder conducts daily risk assessments to ensure that her premises are safe and secure for children to use at all times.

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should:

17 August 2022 n provide more consistent encouragement for children to learn how to be independent in managing their own self-care n introduce a wider range of new vocabulary, to support the development of descriptive language.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 125458 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10228214 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 6 Date of previous inspection 3 November 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder has been operating since 1989 and lives in Paddock Wood, Kent. She provides care all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. She employs one assistant. The childminder holds an early years qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector and the childminder observed children at play and their interactions with the childminder and her assistant. They discussed the learning that was taking place. n At appropriate times, the inspector spoke to children, parents, the childminder and her assistant, and she took account of their views. n The inspector talked to the childminder and her assistant about their knowledge and understanding of safeguarding matters. n Documents relating to the suitability of those working with children were viewed by the inspector. n The childminder showed the inspector the areas of her home which are used for childminding. She talked about the experiences she plans for the children to

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Inspection activities

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

17 August 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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