Childminder in Medway

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 this safe and nurturing learning environment. Through detailed discussion with parents, carers and other settings that children attend, the childminder learns about each individual child. She uses this information to create an inspirational learning environment, both indoors and outdoors. Children are engrossed in the extensive range of stimulating activities and resources on offer. They eagerly participate and show deep levels of engagement and concentration. For example, children self-select a craft activity using stickers. They stay engaged at the activity as the childminder engages them in meaningful conversations about their creations, extending children's communication skills. All children are making the best possible progress in their learning.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder has a passion for helping children to find out about the natural environment. She uses this to support their understanding of healthy eating and caring for living things. For instance, children choose what fruits and plants they would like to grow. They plant seeds and carefully tend to them, becoming increasingly excited about noticing the changes and eventually being able to eat them for snack time.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder has exceptionally high expectations of children's behaviour, which she sets out from the very beginning. For example, they point out that adults can sit on the dining room chairs but children cannot because 'they spin, and we might fall off'. She models respectful and collaborative ways of interacting. Children demonstrate high levels of confidence and kindness towards each other and the childminder.

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need to do better?

n The childminder's curriculum is incredibly responsive to the children's individual needs and interests. She has an extensive understanding of child development, built up over many years of working with young children. She assesses children's learning thoroughly with excellent levels of engagement with other settings that children attend and through her strong partnerships that she has built quickly with parents. This helps her to identify what children specifically need to learn next. This informs planning and helps her sequence the curriculum. n The childminder prioritises children's speech and language development. Children benefit from a language-rich environment and have extremely effective interactions with the childminder. The childminder is incredibly skilled with her questioning, knowing when and what to say to encourage children to speak. For example, with younger children who are quieter, the childminder will use her

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need to do better?

excellent knowledge of the children's home life to build their confidence to speak about something they know and that interests them.

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need to do better?

14 June 2023 n Children learn about similarities and differences between themselves and others, appropriate to their age. Children explore food from the cultures of their friends and learn about traditions of different countries. The childminder uses her effective communication with parents to encourage them to share information about their culture and religions that she can then share with the children. This helps to prepare children for life in modern Britain and the wider world in which they live. n The childminder is highly reflective. She has established herself quickly and has a network of other childminders that she regularly meets with. She routinely undertakes further training opportunities to meet the needs of the children and to extend her already excellent knowledge. For example, she has attended training about the positive effects of getting children out in the community, which she has embraced. Children take trips to the local shop, where they have

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need to do better?

formed a relationship with the shopkeeper, and they regularly attend local parks and playgroups. This also supports children's emerging physical development. n The childminder has excellent relationships with parents. They are extremely positive about the childminder. Parents comment on how well and quickly their children have settled and express their gratitude at how quick their children's speech and language is developing. Parents are regularly updated on what their children are learning and enjoying at the setting, so they are aware of how they can further their development when at home. Parents say they would 'definitely recommend' the childminder. n The childminder provides children with lots of opportunities to develop their independence. Children help set the table for snack time, they chop their own fruit and know that they need to put sun cream and hats on before going out in the garden, all of which they do on their own. Children can access the toilet

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need to do better?

independently, which supports children when transitioning from nappies to underwear. Children feel comfortable to approach the kind and caring childminder when they have toileting accidents. She boosts their self-esteem by dealing with it compassionately. Children keep persevering and show pride when they do things for themselves.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has an excellent understanding of her duty to protect the children within her care. She has undertaken suitable training to enable her to identify risks to children. The childminder has a good understanding of how and when to refer children to social services and the process for doing this. When taking children out of the home, she has excellent risk assessments in place. This is through her extensive knowledge of the local areas and what could pose a risk to children. For example, she recognises that there are lots of dogs in the local area so has taught children to ask owners before they approach. She also conducts daily risk assessments in her home environment to ensure that children can be independent, and any risks are minimised.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2697349 Local authority Medway Inspection number 10295851 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 4 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in October 2022, and lives in Rochester, Kent. The childminder cares for children Monday to Thursday, from 7.30am to 5pm, term time only. The childminder holds a relevant early years qualification at level 3. The childminder receives funding to provide early education to children aged two, three and four years.

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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 showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure they are safe and suitable. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about children's learning and development, with a particular focus on communication and language. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while with the childminder. 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 childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

14 June 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

14 June 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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