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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children are relaxed and settled in the childminder's care. They benefit from the freedom they receive to explore the resources and choose the games they want to play. This helps them to develop independent learning skills. Children also enjoy a range of activities planned by the childminder. For example, they enjoy nature walks in woodlands and visits to the beach. Children use their imaginations as they create artwork from the things they collect.

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The provision is good

The childminder capitalises on children's love of outdoor play to extend their learning. For example, in hot weather she provides complex water play activities in the garden. While children have fun, they learn about ideas such as capacity and consider how water flows at different rates in different-sized hoses.

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The provision is good

The challenge that children receive is based on their individual abilities, allowing them to develop at their own pace. The childminder recognises when children are ready to master new skills and provides the support they need. For example, young children learn how to use ride-on toys, and the childminder provides opportunities for those who are keen to practise writing.

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The provision is good

The childminder supports children to develop their social skills and to manage their behaviour. Young children learn to play cooperatively and to understand how to share and take turns.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a thorough understanding of each child's unique personality, abilities and interests. This supports her to plan routines and experiences that reflect their individual needs. For example, the childminder knows that children need different amounts of time to relax when they arrive each day. She also recognises when children are tired and sensitively settles them to sleep. n The childminder has a good understanding of how children learn. She builds on their interests to provide them with an appropriate level of challenge. For example, she recognises the learning opportunities available as the children explore nature. She talks to them about what they see and the changes that take place through the year. n There are good arrangements to promote children's language and physical development. The childminder also prioritises children's emotional well-being. For example, she recognises the impact of significant events in children's lives,

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need to do better?

such as the birth of a new baby. She works with parents to help children feel secure and to adapt to changes. n Children take part in a range of activities that mark events such as Christmas,

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need to do better?

28 September 2022 Easter and Halloween. They work together with the childminder to decide what gifts and food they want to make to take home to their parents. These experiences help children understand that there are special days and celebrations. However, these tend to focus on events in the Christian calendar. Children have limited opportunities to learn about the lives and traditions of people who are outside of their own experiences. n Children's health is promoted well. The childminder encourages children to wash their hands before eating and speaks to them about the importance of brushing their teeth. She works with parents to support children in their potty training. The childminder provides parents with information so that they can support her aim to promote healthy eating. n In many respects, the childminder promotes children's independence well. For example, she encourages them to make choices and decisions about their play

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need to do better?

and learning. However, the childminder acknowledges that she is sometimes overly cautious in her supervision. In her commitment to ensuring that children remain safe, she does not support them as effectively as possible to understand how to assess and manage risks. n The childminder makes good use of ongoing assessment to monitor children's progress. She has a confident knowledge of the steps to take in the case of any delays in a child's learning or development. She understands the importance of working with parents to seek support promptly when children need, or would benefit from, support from other professionals.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a secure knowledge of her safeguarding responsibilities. She is aware of the signs and symptoms that may indicate that a child is at risk. This includes the risks of exposure to extreme views and beliefs. The childminder has recently amended her safeguarding policy to include the up-to-date contact details to use to refer any child protection concerns.

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should:

n increase the range of activities and experiences aimed at extending children's knowledge and understanding of the lives and experiences of others n provide more support for children to learn to assess and manage risks, to help them develop an awareness of how to keep themselves safe.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY495947 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10084894 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 23 April 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Ashford, in Kent. She operates from 7am to 6pm each weekday, for most of the year.

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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 childminder spoke to the inspector about her educational plans and the organisation of her setting. n The inspector viewed all areas of the premises used by minded children. n The inspector observed the interaction of the childminder with minded children. n A range of relevant documents were scrutinised.

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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

28 September 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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