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

p.1

The provision is good

Children receive consistent, responsive care and affection from the childminder. This helps them develop self-assurance to feel safe and secure. Children settle quickly and explore their surroundings with increasing confidence. Younger children enjoy a range of physical and sensory experiences. For example, they happily investigate putting dried pasta in a wooden bowl and tipping it out again.

p.2

The provision is good

Children show an eagerness to listen to stories, songs and nursery rhymes. They indicate through their utterances that they want a favourite book read again, such as 'Dear Zoo'. Children develop good physical skills. For instance, they enjoy lifting the flaps and eagerly turn the pages that helps develop their hand-to-eye coordination. Children snuggle close to the childminder and maintain good concentration. They hear new words, such as 'squash', when they press the different-textured squares in a baby's touchy-feely book. Children benefit from words being repeated by the childminder to help them learn and remember.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder has high expectations for children's behaviour. Children begin to understand some social rules for being together. For example, they are reminded to be kind to each other when playing with the toys. The childminder is a good role model for children and praises their good behaviour.

p.2

need to do better?

n Parents are happy with the quality of care and education their children receive. They comment that the activities their children engage in are 'mentally stimulating'. Parents share information about their children's starting points. This helps the childminder decide on some learning intentions to build on what children know and can do. However, she does not share children's next steps with parents to fully support their learning at home. n The childminder plans regular opportunities for babies and toddlers to hear songs and nursery rhymes. This helps them tune into language. She demonstrates the actions to songs, such as 'sleeping bunnies'. However, on this occasion, the childminder plans activities for children that are narrow in focus and do not enable children to express themselves freely and creatively. Therefore, children are not developing the highest levels of engagement and involvement in their learning.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder keeps routines flexible for younger children. She follows their interests and skilfully makes the most of learning opportunities as they arise. The childminder introduces children to the counting sequence when looking at books. For example, she says, 'one, two, flowers'. Younger children begin to develop an understanding of mathematical concepts. They gradually build on the skills they need for the next stage in their learning.

p.2

need to do better?

3 November 2022 n Children find out about the world around them as they go on regular trips in the community. This supports their good health and well-being. For example, the childminder helps them pick apples in the garden and walk to the local farm to buy eggs. Children enjoy walks in the woods and make connections to the books they have read. For instance, older children re-enact the story, 'We're going on a Bear Hunt'. n The childminder provides opportunities for children to meet other people. For example, they go to the local shop and meet other children at the local park. Children begin to develop an awareness of the similarities and differences between themselves and others. n The childminder works closely with parents to ensure the meals they provide are healthy and nutritious. This helps promote children's good oral health. She provides opportunities for children to develop their self-care skills. For example,

p.2

need to do better?

children are encouraged to hold and drink from their own cup. They learn about healthy practices, such as washing their hands before eating. n The childminder is interested in her own professional development. She has a recognised qualification in childcare. The childminder has increased her understanding of working with children to raise the quality of teaching even further. She seeks advice and support from her local authority adviser, who updates her about any changes to practice. The childminder plans to contact professionals at other early years provisions where children have started to maintain consistency of care and learning.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities to keep children safe. She knows the signs and symptoms to be concerned about in relation to children's welfare. The childminder shares her safeguarding knowledge and policy with her assistants. She attends safeguarding training and has a current paediatric first-aid certificate. The childminder effectively teaches children about safety. For example, she talks to them about not standing on wheeled toys in case they fall off, to help their understanding. The childminder makes thorough safety checks of her home. She vigilantly assesses and minimises risks to children on outings.

p.3

should:

n develop ways to share information with parents about how they can support children's learning at home n extend the opportunities for children to make choices about their play and learning so that they are consistently engaged and motivated to learn.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2589695 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10251200 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2020. She lives in Sevenoaks, in Kent. The childminder is available to work Monday to Friday, 7.30am until 4.30pm, all year round. She has a level 4 childcare qualification. The childminder has two assistants. She provides funded education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The childminder showed the inspector around her home to understand how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder at appropriate times during the inspection. n A sample of documents was reviewed by the inspector, including the safeguarding children policy and complaints policy. n Parents' views were taken account of by the inspector.

p.4

Inspection activities

3 November 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

3 November 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6