Elliott, Jennifer Elizabeth

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 are very happy and settled with the childminder. They display high levels of confidence, as they greet visitors and explore their home-from-home environment. The childminder is warm and attentive to children's care needs, providing cuddles and reassurance to support children's emotional well-being. Children have developed strong attachments with the childminder.

p.2

The provision is good

Children display good social skills at a young age. They are supported with turn- taking and are learning how to resolve conflicts. For example, the childminder models how to speak kindly and encourages children to express their feelings during play. The childminder has high expectations for children's behaviour and as a result, children actively help to tidy away their toys throughout the day.

p.2

The provision is good

Children enjoy engaging in sensory experiences as they learn about the weather. The childminder uses visual aids to talk about the rain and develop children's understanding. Children describe the 'dark clouds' and explore sounds, such as 'pitter patter'. They explore this further by using cotton wool and water to represent the rain clouds. Children become fascinated by watching the water drip down, and are eager to have a go. This creates experiences for children to become independent learners and develop their fine motor skills, as they use their hands to squeeze the cotton wool.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder knows the children well. She talks confidently about their stages of development and uses children's interests to create new activities and experiences to engage them in learning. She completes progress checks in a timely manner to ensure that children are making good progress in their development. This also allows the childminder to identify any potential gaps in children's learning that may require some additional support. n The childminder enhances children's communication skills. She uses effective questioning techniques to find out what children already know and can do. The childminder repeats words and phrases back to the children to further develop their language. She has recently introduced signing to the youngest children to support them in communicating their wants and needs. However, the use of background music can cause distractions for children, impacting their concentration and listening skills.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder supports children to develop their independence. They enjoy washing their hands before mealtimes and pouring their own drinks. Children show a high sense of achievement when they complete tasks for themselves. Children are becoming independent learners, preparing them for their future in education.

p.2

need to do better?

8 February 2023 n The childminder provides opportunities for children to learn about oral health. Children enjoy playing with toothbrushes and dolls as they pretend to brush their teeth. The childminder uses a model of teeth and talks to children about brushing their teeth at home. This develops children's understanding of how to look after their bodies. n The childminder reinforces the importance of living healthy lifestyles. She provides children with snacks and meals that reflect a balanced diet. For example, children have banana and breadstick at snack time. Children enjoy helping as they cut up the banana. This gives children a sense of responsibility and supports them to develop positive attitudes towards food choices. n The childminder supports children to develop their mathematical knowledge. For example, she regularly encourages children to name the shapes they can see, such as a circle. The childminder provides opportunities for children to practise

p.2

need to do better?

counting. For example, as children play with sea creatures, she talks about the number of legs an octopus has. However, during the inspection, children did not engage in any mark-making activities. n The childminder creates opportunities for children to explore the natural world. For example, they go on regular outings to the forest. Children develop their physical skills as they freely explore the outdoor environment. These opportunities also support children to develop their imagination as they play with natural resources. n Parents are extremely positive about the childminder. They talk about how happy and settled their children are, and the level of progress their children have made since being with the childminder. They report on good communication, and feel they are well informed about the daily activities and meals their children have had throughout the day.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has good safeguarding knowledge and has completed relevant safeguarding training. She understands her legal duty to protect children from harm and recognises the potential signs and symptoms of abuse. The childminder knows who to contact if she is concerned about a child's safety or if an allegation was made against a family member living in her household. The childminder has emergency contact details that she takes with her while on outings, and has an up- to-date first-aid certificate. She teaches children how to keep themselves safe and has emergency procedures in place in the event of a fire.

p.3

should:

n limit distractions, such as background music, to further enhance children's

p.3

should:

8 February 2023 concentration and listening skills n develop opportunities even further for children to independently explore mark making throughout the day.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2613974 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10265198 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 4 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2020 and is located in Maidstone, Kent. The childminder offers care on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 7.30am to 5.30pm, all year round. The childminder holds a level 3 qualification.

p.5

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 setting. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

8 February 2023 8 February 2023 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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