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 Not applicable

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The provision is outstanding

Children blossom in the care of the highly nurturing and passionate childminder. Children arrive at the setting happy and confidently separate from their parents. Children have much admiration for the childminder, who they have developed an incredibly strong bond with. This helps children to feel settled in the safe and secure environment.

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The provision is outstanding

The environment is full of wonderful learning opportunities to support the development of children across the early years curriculum. The childminder has excellent knowledge of the children she cares for. The information she gathers throughout the induction process sets the foundations for an exciting and ambitious curriculum. The childminder is exceptionally skilled in assessing children's development and extending their learning opportunities. This is achieved by building on children's current interests, exploring what she already knows about them and how this can be further developed.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder has high expectations of behaviour. Expected rules and boundaries are communicated clearly and consistently to all children. The childminder teaches children from a very young age to respect one another and play amicably. This was particularly evident when the children were turn-taking while building a tower of blocks together. Children show compassion, kindness and consideration for one another.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has an excellent understanding of the skills and knowledge she wants children to learn and how to embed these into her practice. She significantly values the importance of communication and language development and how this underpins all aspects of learning. For example, children confidently explore the feelings and emotions within a book. They mirror the facial expressions and recall the language used within the story to represent the feelings and emotions within the book. n Children make exceptional progress in their learning and development. This is expertly achieved through the childminder's outstanding knowledge of the children, her thorough observations and assessments and her valuable partnership with parents. The childminder effectively identifies potential gaps in the children's learning and development. She promptly bridges the gaps by creating excellent opportunities for children to succeed.

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need to do better?

n The childminder provides an array of wonderfully well-thought-out activities and experiences for children. They learn about the similarities and differences of others, the world we live in and the wider community. She teaches children to be curious about the world around them. For example, children visit a 'focus

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need to do better?

3 May 2023 tree' in their local nature park. Every month, the children take a picture of the tree. They discuss how the tree has changed over the seasons and what differences they can see from previous photos. n The childminder skilfully shapes the experiences she provides children. This gives them the best possible starts to their early education. For example, the childminder values the experiences children gain from the wider community. Children enjoy visiting the family allotment, where they are growing a variety of fruit and vegetables. Most recently, the children have planted sunflowers seeds and will revisit them regularly to watch them grow. n Children are exceptionally well behaved. They respond confidently to the childminder's positive prompts. For example, the childminder wonderfully guides the children by role modelling how to turn-take with one another during a shape-sorting activity. The children demonstrate excellent perseverance skills,

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need to do better?

with the childminder talking the children through the process of fitting the shapes. This resulted in the children successfully achieving their goal independently. n Parents are exceptionally happy with the care the childminder provides, stating that she is 'amazing'. Parents comment that 'children are welcomed in as an extension of the family'. This gives children a sense of security and supports their emotional well-being. n The communication with parents is exemplary. Parents report that they are comforted by the guidance the childminder provides to further support the learning opportunities at home. Parents feel extremely well informed about their child's development. n In pursuit of excellence, the childminder networks closely with other childminders. They continually communicate with one another as they work towards the same goal. This strengthens her provision further. n The childminder is passionate about her own professional development. For

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need to do better?

example, she extends her already extensive knowledge by researching subjects that place value in her setting, undertaking an accreditation and attending webinars.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder is dedicated to her role of protecting children and keeping them safe from the risk of harm. She proactively keeps her knowledge up to date about the latest safeguarding issues by accessing and completing relevant training. The childminder is fully aware of the potential safeguarding concerns within her local community and knows how to address these should they arise. The childminder closely monitors children's attendance. Furthermore, the childminder can confidently identify a wide range of potential signs and symptoms that fall under the safeguarding umbrella, including what to do should an allegation be made. The childminder has robust procedures in place for keeping children safe. This includes safe-sleeping arrangements, fire evacuation procedures and risk assessing.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2624783 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10285300 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 5 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2021 and lives in Dartford, Kent. She offers care Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 7:30am-5:30pm, for 48 weeks of the year. The childminder holds a relevant level 4 childcare qualification.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider 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 spoke to the inspector about children's learning and development, with a particular focus on communication and language. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff, the childminder and children. n The childminder and inspector discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact that this had on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on

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Inspection activities

3 May 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

3 May 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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