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 arrive with a smile and run in to greet the childminder. They flourish in this homely environment. The calm and relaxing atmosphere supports them to fully immerse in learning and having fun. Children have an incredibly positive and warm relationship with the childminder and they often go to her for comfort, support and help when they need it. The childminder sets clear rules and boundaries and children behave well. They soak up the constant praise offered when they do the right things and achieve new skills.

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The provision is good

The childminder provides an exciting and challenging curriculum with many different activities on offer. It is carefully planned to build on prior knowledge. For example, children learn topics such as 'who helps us', where they relish in trying on police and fireman hats. They then enjoy learning about fire safety and use blue spaghetti as water to rescue dolls from pretend fires. They have immense fun with using water squirters to give imaginary monsters a shower when learning about putting out fires. Children are well supported to become independent, confident and happy. They are ready to move on to the next step in their learning journey.

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need to do better?

n The childminder provides a carefully thought out and well-planned curriculum. She links learning topics well and plans activities that motivate children's curiosity and investigation through play. For example, children enjoy using a play village to explore people shouting for help and needing to be rescued by fire engines. This promotes a positive attitude to learning and provides children with a deeper understanding. n The childminder creates many exciting ways to develop early language and communication for children. For example, they enjoy saying words in different voices and into buckets to hear the echo. However, the childminder does not always focus on providing new vocabulary to learning experiences to aid rapidly extending and improving language. n The childminder provides many opportunities for physical development. Children use tweezers to search for hidden 'treasures' in pasta to increase their fine-

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need to do better?

motor skills. They go on walks to explore the local castles, beaches and the countryside to develop their gross-motor skills. This supports children to have good control and coordination, setting them up for the next stage of their development. n While the childminder does provide a broad and exciting curriculum, she sometimes places less focus on promoting children's use of everyday technology, compared to other areas of learning. This does not support them so well to understand how current technology can aid our learning in a safe way. n The childminder focusses on promoting independence in children from a young

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need to do better?

30 August 2022 age. They learn to dress themselves, use the toilet, wash their hands and prepare simple snacks. The childminder models how to do things when they encounter difficulties. Children then squeal with excitement when they do them independently. This builds a sense of achievement and a 'can do' attitude to learning. n The childminder gives children an insight into other countries and people around the world. They regularly look at a large map together and then explore what might be in each country. They get to see toys from other countries and try new foods. This supports them well to have an understanding of similarities and differences in the world. n The childminder has a clear and ambitious vision for providing high-quality care and education to all. She is constantly seeking new training and development for herself to provide the best outcomes for children. n The childminder has good links with other professionals and the local school.

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need to do better?

She utilises these to support children with transitions. Her links with children's dual-placement settings are less strong, so this does not always support the best continuity of development for the child. n The childminder is constantly evaluative of her own practice and regularly adapts and updates the environment to meet the needs of all children. This ensures that all children are progressively learning and are safe, happy and engaged in their surroundings. n The childminder maintains excellent relationships with her families. They say their children see her house as a 'home from home' and children 'absolutely love spending time with her.' One mother reports that the childminder 'has been absolutely super! How lucky were we to have her in the first part of our son's journey.'

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of her role with regards to safeguarding. She is clear on signs and symptoms to look out for, how to record safeguarding incidents and where to refer child protection concerns. The childminder completes regular training to update and expand her knowledge. She undertakes daily effective risk assessments of the setting and external outings to help reduce and minimise any potential hazards.

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should:

n strengthen the already strong development of communication and language by focussing on providing new vocabulary to rapidly extend and improve language n enhance further opportunities for children to engage with modern technology

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should:

30 August 2022 and embed age appropriate and safe use of such technology in to the curriculum n explore ways to improve links and share relevant information with settings that share the care of children, to enhance consistency of care.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2579689 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10248237 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 3 Number of children on roll 3 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2020. She lives in Deal, Kent. She works all day, Monday to Wednesday, for the majority of the year, only closing for bank and family holidays. The childminder has a level 3 qualification in childcare.

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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 childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children and considered the impact on learning. n Parents shared their views with the inspector through both discussion and written comments. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity with the childminder.

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Inspection activities

30 August 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 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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