Childminder in Medway

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 flourish in this warm and welcoming environment. They are happy and confident to attend the childminder's home. Children leave their parents at the door and come in with a beaming smile. They settle quickly and engage in activities, which are set to support their learning and development. Children form good bonds with the childminder, her team and each other. They comfort others if anyone gets sad, showing their growing empathy. Children are kind, use good manners, share and take turns. As a result, children's behaviour is good.

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The provision is good

Children demonstrate high levels of confidence in their abilities and in social situations. They happily interact with each other and visitors. Children are eager to share their experiences and what they are doing. For example, they share with visitors how they are going to decorate their gingerbread picture. Children show that they feel safe and secure.

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The provision is good

Children benefit from learning about healthy diet. They confidently discuss why bananas and watermelon are good for them and their body, while sitting at the snack table. The childminder introduces new words to children, such as 'potassium', explaining that it is good for their heart, encouraging children to point to it. They discuss how they brush their teeth and why it is important.

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need to do better?

n All children, including babies, make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder has high expectations for the children in her care. She is clear about what she wants them to learn. The childminder builds a curriculum that is well sequenced. She knows what children need to learn next and provides challenging activities across all areas of learning. n Children have plenty of opportunities for fresh air and physical development, both indoors and outdoors. They enjoy exploring the garden in all weather. For instance, they enjoy using spades to dig for hidden animals in the snow mound. Children enjoy climbing up and down the climbing frame. They energetically join in with action songs. Children thoroughly enjoy going on regular outings to the local parks and playgroups. This helps develop children's physical skills. n Partnerships with parents are good, and they speak highly about the childminder

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need to do better?

and her team. They describe them as 'amazing'. Parents appreciate the good progress their children are making in the childminder's care. The childminder regularly shares information with them about children's learning and development and the activities they enjoy. Parents feel their children are safe, happy and have lots of fun with the activities provided. n Overall, children's communication and language skills are well supported. Children speak confidently to adults and each other. The childminder and her

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need to do better?

16 December 2022 team provide children with a language-rich environment. They use open-ended questions to challenge and extend children's learning. However, at times, they do not allow children enough time to process and respond to questions asked of them. This can affect their language and communication development. n The childminder helps children learn about different cultures and communities. She teaches them about similarities and differences, and promotes equality and diversity through books and stories. For instance, children also experience different foods when celebrating festivals, such as Chinese New Year. This encourages children to learn about the diverse world they live in, and prepares them for life in modern Britain. n The childminder is completely dedicated and devoted to her role and responsibilities. She works well with her team. The childminder evaluates their practice and plans training to further their knowledge and skills. For example,

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need to do better?

she recently enrolled herself and her team on a course to help them understand children's emotions and support their self-regulation. The childminder implements effective strategies, such as supervision and individual meetings to evaluate workload and promote staff's well-being. n The childminder and her team have a strong focus on children's social and emotional development. Children are very confident and self-assured individuals. Children develop resilience and keep trying when things do not work first time. For example, all children, including the youngest, persevere in taking their boots on and off. They receive lots of encouragement from the childminder and her team. This helps promote children self-esteem.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her team understand their roles and responsibilities in keeping children safe from harm. They have good knowledge of all safeguarding aspects, including radicalisation and female genital mutilation. The childminder and her team know what to do and who to approach when they have a concern about a child or an adult. The childminder ensures her team's safeguarding knowledge is kept up to date through asking scenario-based questions during staff meetings. She has a robust recruitment procedure to ensure suitable people work with children. The childminder maintains meticulous documentation, such as risk assessments, and has comprehensive policies to support her practice.

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should:

n allow children more time to process and respond to questions asked of them, to further support the development of speech and language and extend their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2604465 Local authority Medway Inspection number 10263561 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 8 Number of children on roll 15 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2020 and lives in Rochester, Kent. She operates all year round, from 7am to 5.30pm, Tuesday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a degree in early years education and also has early years professional status. She can provide funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The childminder works with two assistants who hold relevant early years qualifications 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 completed a learning walk to understand how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised. n Discussions were held with the childminder, her team and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector held a leadership and management discussion with the childminder and looked at relevant documentation. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the childminder.

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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

16 December 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

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

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