Benstead, Jennie Louise

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in this highly stimulating provision. The childminder creates a very warm, welcoming and calm atmosphere. This enables children to be extremely settled in this well-thought-out environment. Children are highly motivated to learn and are enthusiastic to take part in the activities provided, for example when cutting their own fruit after exploring 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' story. This expertly supports children to be independent and enhances their control over small tools safely.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder is exceedingly knowledgeable and adapts the curriculum to meet the needs of all children. She caters to their individual interests extremely well. She has an exemplary understanding of the developmental needs of all children and the seven areas of learning. This is evident in the activities and experiences provided, for example in how children explore caterpillars through a range of highly stimulating activities. This includes sharing familiar stories, exploring real fruit and creating a caterpillar with seeds to observe growth over time. The childminder sparks children's natural curiosity. This allows children to show confidence and pride when learning through play.

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The provision is outstanding

There is a high level of care demonstrated from both the childminder and her assistant, who are strong role models. They give mutual respect and have an understanding of children's dignity, supporting them to make their own decisions. Children prove knowledge they have already learned and enjoy learning new skills. For example, children know the number they should call in an emergency and enjoy extending their knowledge through understanding the different roles in the emergency services.

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need to do better?

n The childminder expertly builds on children's interests and recognises the possibilities for further learning and challenge. She builds on what children already know and can do. For example, children show a keen interest in engaging with the doctor role-play resources. The childminder widens their experience by taking them to visit a local fire station and explore a fire engine. She also adds items to the role-play area, such as notepads and pens, to promote their pre-writing skills. This prepares children well for the next stage in their learning, whether with the childminder or when they go to school. n Children are confident in their communication and language skills, and these are supported extremely well by the childminder. For example, children enjoy exploring a photo album available to them. This encourages young children to recognise and name people who are familiar to them. They discuss the

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need to do better?

differences in the pictures. They recognise close family members and begin to

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need to do better?

22 May 2023 tell the photo about their day, kissing it at the end and saying goodbye. n The behaviour and attitudes of children are exemplary. The childminder and her assistant explain rules clearly and are consistent throughout. They discuss sharing and talk through this with children to support their understanding and work together to resolve any conflict. Children are attentive and caring towards each other, especially to those of a younger age. For example, older children offer to make a much younger child a caterpillar, as they realise they are too young to participate in the activity but do not want them to miss out. n Parents comment on the rich learning opportunities their children receive. For example, they regularly visit parks, farms and local playgroups. They feel the children all thrive through these experiences, which are enhancing their learning and understanding of the world. They state that information-sharing is of very

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need to do better?

high quality, and they feel fully involved in their child's development, recent achievements and what they are currently working towards. n The childminder demonstrates outstanding reflective skills. For example, she is proactive in changing or adapting activities, such as providing additional resources to ensure children are fully immersed. This ensures that the needs and interests of the children are always met. For example, during an activity of planting seeds in the garden, a child was unable to participate due to their age. The child was offered sensory bags filled with seeds and soil to explore instead. They were eager to engage with this, which ensured they were then included in this activity alongside other children. n Both the childminder and her assistant extensively ensure their knowledge and skills are up to date. They have recently attended training on communication and language in the early years, as well as on how to recognise schemas. This

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need to do better?

has impacted children positively and demonstrated the expert leadership skills the childminder has in identifying where further knowledge can enhance children's learning and development. As a result, some of the younger children have already begun to recognise letters and blend sounds.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant demonstrate an exceptionally thorough knowledge of how to keep children safe. They are extremely confident at demonstrating the procedures they would follow should they have concerns for a child's well-being and who to report to. Both the childminder and her assistant keep up to date with their knowledge, such as through regular training. They have extensive risk assessments in place that are followed daily. They have an exceptionally robust understanding of the signs to look for that may indicate a child could be at risk of harm, such as from extremist views and beliefs, as well as how to keep children safe online.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY384123 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10264484 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 6 Date of previous inspection 16 June 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2009 and lives in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. She offers care from Monday to Thursday, from 7.30am to 5.30pm, during term time only. The childminder holds a childcare qualification at level 3. She regularly works with an assistant. The childminder receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four 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 and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n Children spoke to 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 the childminder, her assistant and the children. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector read several parents' statements during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder on an activity

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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.

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Inspection activities

22 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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