Childminder in Kent

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children's attitudes are extremely positive as they enter the setting. They form excellent bonds with the childminder. Children consistently make their own choices. They engage in role play. showing maturity as they model their home customs and revisit previous experiences. For example, children act out a trip to the shop to purchase food before returning home to make a roast dinner. They sustain high levels of concentration at group activities, which are carefully planned and tailored to meet the needs of all the children. For instance, children help prepare their own Christmas lunch. They peel and chop vegetables, roll sausages in bacon, and make their own Yorkshire puddings. Children benefit greatly from the childminder's in- depth knowledge of how young children learn and develop. They are extremely confident and engage enthusiastically in the wide range of opportunities provided for them.

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The provision is outstanding

Children show exceptionally high levels of care and respect towards each other. This is supported by the childminder as he offers praise and encouragement for children to keep on trying to succeed. Children's behaviour is exceptional. There are clear rules which children of all ages follow with ease. Older children are great role models. For example, when the younger children wanted to help put the circle time resources away, older children reminded them to 'share' and offered their own resources to them to ease conflict.

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need to do better?

n The childminder plans an extremely effective curriculum to help to ensure that children swiftly build on what they already know and understand. Children are enthusiastic and show sustained levels of concentration at activities. The skilful questioning that the childminder offers to children embeds their previous learning. For example, when trying to find the number 19 on the advent calendar, children used their knowledge of what the number nine looks like to help them. Children make exceptional progress from their starting points. n The childminder and his co-childminder provide a language-rich environment, where children build and extend their vocabulary through conversations, songs and stories. Children show a genuine love of books. They talk about their favourite stories and confidently join in with repeated refrains. For example, in the story 'Father Christmas Needs a Wee', children use their excellent

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need to do better?

mathematical knowledge to count the number of drinks Father Christmas has. The childminder skilfully asks question to extend on this, such as, 'If we add one more how many would their be?' Children are confident and fluent speakers. They articulate their needs and wants exceptionally well. n Partnerships with parents are outstandingly strong. Parent feedback is highly complimentary. Parents comment that the childminder goes 'above and beyond'

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need to do better?

19 December 2022 what is expected from him. For instance, they value the in-depth daily feedback about what their children have been learning and their next steps. Parents speak confidently about how quickly their children are developing socially and developmentally in his care. n Children demonstrate that they have excellent independence and self-help skills. For instance, they pour their own drinks and access their water bottles. Children use knives and forks to cut their dinner, and confidently take themselves to the toilet. They also show how well they understand health and hygiene as they know when to wash their hands and why. Even the youngest of children complete these routines with ease, knowing how to pump the soap and dry their hands. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported. The childminder considers the individual needs of children and swiftly refers

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need to do better?

children for additional support if needed. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he recognised that waiting lists were longer than usual. To help promote and encourage the speech of the children, the childminder invited a 'wiggles and giggles' practitioner into the home to sing and promote the speech development of the children. n The childminder and his co-childminder are incredibly reflective practitioners who regularly review their provision and what they offer the children in their care. They frequently access training and webinars to keep their knowledge fresh and to improve outcomes for children. They continually strive to improve the quality of their already exceptional provision, putting children at the centre of all they do. For example, in collaboration with the children and following their interests, they plan to create an allotment in the garden.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and his co-childminder have a sound knowledge of safeguarding matters. The childminder has clear procedures which ensure children are kept safe. He recognises signs which may suggest a child is at risk of harm. The childminder shows full awareness of local and national risks to children, such as the current cost of living crisis and the impact this has on families. He clearly understands the procedures he would follow if he needed to make a referral regarding the welfare of a child. The childminder and his co-childminder keep their training up to date and access refresher courses from the local authority with changes to policy and procedure to keep children safe. Children are taught about online safety and the possible associated risks, such as radicalisation.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY424893 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10263150 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 4 Date of previous inspection 21 April 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2011. He lives in Penenden Heath, Maidstone, Kent. The childminder offers care Monday to Friday, from 7am to 6pm, for most of the year. He works with a co-childminder. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 spoke to the inspector about their intentions for children's learning. n The inspector considered the views of parents. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector observed the interactions between the adults and children in the setting.

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Inspection activities

19 December 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

19 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

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