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 Good

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The provision is good

Children display strong emotional attachments to the childminder. They are very happy in her home. Before children start, the childminder takes time to find out about their routines. She knows their likes and interests. This helps children settle and build secure relationships. Those who are shy around new people overcome their shyness quickly. Children then enjoy telling visitors about the trips they take with the childminder. This demonstrates how secure children feel in the childminder's home.

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The provision is good

The childminder knows the children well. She uses this information to create a curriculum that meets the needs of the children. For example, there is a focus on providing a wide range of materials for children to manipulate. This develops children's fine motor skills, so they are ready for early mark making and writing. The childminder has high expectations for everyone. All children are making good progress from their starting points.

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The provision is good

Children are friendly towards each other and are learning to share. The childminder uses good strategies and intervenes when children need more support. For instance, when two children want the same toy, one waits patiently until the other has finished. The child then passes the toy to their waiting friend. Children are learning to problem solve for themselves.

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need to do better?

n Children are developing an early love of books. They visit the local library and listen to stories as part of their everyday routine. Children enjoy the time spent snuggling up with the childminder as they listen intently to stories. These moments enhance children's language as they copy and repeat key phrases from the story. n Parents feedback that they find the childminder professional and caring. They have seen their children grow in confidence. They like that the children have nutritious, home-cooked lunches each day. Parents are informed about their child's progress with photographs, termly reports and newsletters. The positive parent partnerships benefit the children. n The childminder skilfully meets the needs of all age ranges. Children use tweezers to pick up pasta shapes and count them into beakers. Younger children use their fingers to move the pasta between different containers. The childminder creates opportunities for children to learn from their peers.

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need to do better?

n Children listen to, and use, a wide vocabulary. They look out of the window for magpies and talk about focusing their binoculars to see the birds better. When children hear tapping, they wonder if it is a woodpecker pecking a tree. However, sometimes, the childminder shortens words, which means that

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need to do better?

27 April 2023 children do not always hear the correct pronunciation of words. n Children enjoy daily music and singing sessions. They squeal with excitement as they open the music basket and share the instruments out. Children explore how each instrument sounds while singing songs they have selected from picture cards. This helps to develop children's listening skills and turn taking. n Children help to tidy up and set the table for lunch. They are proud to receive praise when they have completed a task. However, sometimes, the childminder does things for the children rather than helping them to try to do things for themselves. For example, at mealtimes, the childminder feeds younger children with a spoon. This limits their opportunities to develop self-care skills and independence. n The childminder provides plenty of opportunities to explore the local community. They visit the park, and children take part in regular music and dance classes.

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need to do better?

This ensures that children are physical and active each day. They meet other childminders weekly so that children can socialise with bigger groups and different age ranges. This supports their growing personal, social and emotional development. n The childminder has completed training courses in child development. She uses this knowledge to carefully arrange the environment. Children can explore and choose the resources they would like to play with. They then focus on what they are doing for long periods of time. This ensures that children gain the most from each activity before moving on.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder understands her responsibility to keep children safe from harm. She has robust risk assessments in place, both in the home and for when they are out in the local community. The childminder has undertaken safeguarding training and knows the signs of abuse. This includes domestic violence and female genital mutilation. The childminder understands the reporting procedures in her local area and how to deal with an allegation. She holds a current paediatric first-aid certificate. The childminder prepares food following government guidance and supervises children at mealtimes. All adults living in the home have had suitability checks.

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should:

n provide children with the correct pronunciation of words to help further enhance their growing vocabulary n enable children to become more independent in doing things for themselves and taking care of their own needs.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY496405 Local authority Medway Inspection number 10280466 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 3 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection 7 September 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015. She lives in Strood, in Rochester, Kent. She offers childcare each weekday, from 7.30am to 5pm, for most of the year. The childminder receives funding to provide free early education for children aged three years.

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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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure it is safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their curriculum. 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 carried out a joint observation with the childminder. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

27 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

27 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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