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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children are happy, confident and enjoy their time at the childminder's home. They form strong relationships with the childminder and her assistants, which helps them to feel safe and secure. The childminder and her assistants provide a warm and welcoming environment where children are motivated and eager to be involved in the play and exploration. Resources are plentiful and easily accessible for all children.

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The provision is good

Children's behaviour is good. They understand the childminder's expectations and children respond well to the childminder and her assistants as they are gently reminded to share and take turns fairly. The childminder and her assistants engage in clear conversations with the children about staying safe and healthy. Children understand why they must sit nicely on the chairs and drink frequently throughout the day to stay hydrated.

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The provision is good

Children learn about the world around them. They learn about how things grow, for instance by planting and growing in the garden area. The children have first- hand experiences of nurturing caterpillars, and they learn about how they transform into butterflies before setting them free.

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need to do better?

n The childminder observes and assesses children continually. She uses this information successfully to plan for children's learning. The childminder and assistants organise activities that will build on children's interests and next steps in learning and development. Children are provided with a good mixture of play and learning opportunities across the curriculum. n The childminder and her assistants are positive role models for the children. They teach children good manners, such as saying 'please' and 'thank you' at appropriate times. Children are frequently praised by the childminder and assistants for their achievements. This builds children's confidence and raises their self-esteem. n Children learn to manage their personal care needs independently. This helps them to develop their confidence and self-esteem. For example, they attend to their own toileting and wash their own hands. In addition to this, children are

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need to do better?

motivated and keen to undertake routine tasks independently. For instance, they are delighted to help set the chairs around the table ready for an activity and tidy away again afterwards. n The childminder and her assistants support children's early communication skills well. They clearly emphasise key words within their interactions, introduce new vocabulary and model the correct pronunciation of words. This helps support children's understanding and speaking skills. However, the childminder does not

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need to do better?

20 April 2023 always extend children's learning even further when they are playing. n Children develop their fine motor skills to help them build their muscles in preparation for early writing. They hold pencils with a firm grip as they colour, and effectively use tweezers to transport and sort small toy animals. n Children's mathematical development is progressing well. The childminder includes mathematical language in their conversations. Children are encouraged to compare and sequence numbers. They enjoy sorting objects into coloured groups and learn how to count the amounts in each group accurately. n The childminder maintains good partnerships with parents. Parents comment positively about the home-from-home experience their children receive with the childminder. They state the childminder and her assistants ensure children's needs are met and that they truly care about them. The childminder provides

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need to do better?

parents with regular updates on their child's progress. However, the childminder does not consistently consider ways to involve parents in extending their children's learning at home. n The childminder and assistants work very well together. They regularly evaluate the provision and have made necessary improvements since their last inspection. For instance, they have created different exploration stations within the designated play area. This has helped enhance the children's engagement in their play and exploration.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant have a good knowledge and understanding of how to keep children safe. The childminder ensures she keeps her own and her assistant's safeguarding training and knowledge up to date. They know how to identify potential signs that a child is at risk of abuse or neglect. The childminder and her assistant understand how to report any concerns, including any allegations made against them. They are vigilant and ensure that the premises are safe and secure for children to play. Toys and resources are in good working order and suitable for the ages of children using them.

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should:

n strengthen interactions to enhance and extend on children's learning even further during spontaneous play experiences n consider ways to further provide parents with ideas and guidance about how they can continue to support their children's learning at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY299756 Local authority Medway Inspection number 10246651 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 9 Number of children on roll 11 Date of previous inspection 13 June 2022

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2009. She lives in Wainscott, in Rochester, Kent and works with up to two assistants. She provides care Monday to Friday from 7am to 5pm for most of the year, with the exception of family holidays and bank holidays. The childminder holds a level 3 qualification and receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The inspector invited the childminder to carry out a joint observation activity. Together, they evaluated the children's learning opportunities during a planned activity. n A sample of documents was reviewed by the inspector. n The childminder showed the inspector around her home and discussed how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised. n Parents' views were taken account of by the inspector.

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Inspection activities

20 April 2023 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

20 April 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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