Childminder in Kent

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is good

The childminder offers a welcoming and homely environment, where children feel happy, safe and secure. Effective settling-in procedures are in place and children quickly form strong attachments with the childminder. The childminder nurtures the children's independence from a very young age. This fosters their confidence and self-esteem. Children show determination as they open their own lunch items, dress themselves in the dressing-up clothes and independently wash their own hands.

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The provision is good

The childminder has a good knowledge of child development. She uses observations and assessments of children to identify their next steps and any gaps in learning. This, alongside her understanding of children's likes and interests, means that she is able to support children's learning effectively.

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The provision is good

Children benefit from plenty of fresh air and exercise. The childminder takes children out to various places of interest, such as local parks, shops, nature walks, farms and wildlife parks. Children enjoy attending a local rhyme-time group and mixing with others. Children make good progress in their physical development, gain good social skills and enjoy learning about the world around them. For instance, they thoroughly enjoy playing in the childminder's garden and participating in nurturing and watering the strawberry plants and flowers.

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need to do better?

n The childminder knows the children extremely well. She uses information from parents to plan for their children's next steps in learning. This helps children to feel settled, reassured and welcomed into the childminder's care. Children freely explore the activities available, making confident choices for themselves as to what to play with and where to play. n Children develop good communication and language skills and, overall, the childminder supports them well. For instance, she clearly emphasises key words within her interactions and provides a clear narrative to help children's understanding and to help them to follow instructions. However, when children are older or more advanced, she does not make the most of opportunities as they arise to provide children with extensions to their vocabulary and speaking skills. n Children generally behave well. They respond positively to what the childminder

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need to do better?

asks of them and treat the toys and resources with care and respect. However, the childminder does not consistently support children to develop their listening skills as much as they could. For example, children are excited to contribute to discussions and answer questions. This sometimes results in them speaking loudly over one another or interrupting their peers.

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need to do better?

28 June 2023 n The childminder has good partnerships with parents. She communicates with them effectively about children's achievements. She provides parents with advice and guidance on how to continue their children's learning at home. Parents are highly complimentary about the care and learning their children receive. They say that their children thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder. n Children develop a love of books. They are confident to select books to read either independently or to share stories with the childminder and their peers. Children have plenty of opportunities to make marks and practise their early writing skills. For instance, they enjoy chalking in the garden, designing their own castles and creating marks in the sand. This helps to develop children's literacy and helps children to gain good skills in preparation for their future learning and their move on to school. n The childminder undertakes mandatory training, such as safeguarding and first

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need to do better?

aid, to keep her knowledge up to date. She is now considering accessing a wider range of training to further develop her practice to be the most effective in supporting children's learning and development. n Children are confident to tell the childminder what they would like to do. They ask to go to the beach so that they can make sand castles, following a sand play activity. Children are engaged in their learning and concentrate during their play and exploration.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder keeps her safeguarding knowledge up to date. She knows the signs that would cause her concern about a child's welfare. The childminder keeps well informed about her local safeguarding procedures and knows who to contact if she has concerns. The childminder thoroughly assesses any risk to help identify and minimise any hazards in her environment. She supervises children's play continuously while in her care. This helps to keep children safe from harm.

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should:

n increase support for children to develop their listening and turn-taking skills n enhance professional development to focus training more precisely on how to meet children's developing language and vocabulary skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2631969 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10295641 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 8 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2021. She lives in Sittingbourne, Kent. The childminder cares for children between 9am and 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, all year round except for family holidays. The childminder has a foundation degree in early childhood education. The childminder receives funding for three- and four- year-old children.

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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 childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The childminder showed the inspector around her childminding premises to understand how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised. n The inspector spoke to the children and held discussions with the childminder at appropriate times during the inspection. n A sample of documents was reviewed by the inspector. n Parents' views were taken account of by the inspector.

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Inspection activities

28 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

28 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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