Bell, Nicola

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 are very happy in the warm and inviting environment. They enjoy the wide range of resources and activities that are available for them to freely access. For example, children enthusiastically bring their imagination alive as they 'cook' in the garden. The childminder has a good understanding of the curriculum, which she implements well. She plans interesting activities that encourage children to be curious and enjoy learning. When children are intrigued by insects, the childminder teaches them about the different types of ants and their habitats. Children create pictures of ants and learn about ant colonies.

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The provision is good

The childminder is a positive role model. Children are polite and behave well. They play together happily and ensure that they make each other feel included in their games. Children learn about the importance of following thorough hygiene routines. For instance, when they have stroked the family dog or feed their tortoise, they wash their hands. Children have good opportunities to develop their physical skills. For example, they learn to move in different ways, such as balancing on stilts and crawling through tunnels. Children learn about the world around them. This includes traditions of other cultures. For instance, they talk about the festival of Diwali and how this is celebrated as part of the Hindu festival.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder has a good knowledge of all children that attend her setting. She fully understands their unique personalities and what they like and dislike. This helps her plan activities that she knows children will enjoy. As a result, children have a positive outlook on their learning and make good progress. n The childminder establishes secure and trusting relationships with children. They feel safe and confident in her company. Children enjoy her interactions and seek her out for hugs and reassurance. Children have a good sense of belonging and have positive levels of self-esteem. For example, they are excited and proud to show the childminder and their friends their achievements. n The childminder supports children to develop good communication skills well. For example, she skilfully builds on children's sentences and reinforces the correct pronunciation of words. Children enjoy a wide range of singing and

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need to do better?

reading activities and are confident to share their thoughts. n Overall, the childminder has a good understanding of all areas of learning. Children develop a wide range of skills to support their future learning. However, the childminder does not consistently provide children with more opportunities to try out their own ideas and problem-solve. For example, as they explore freeing toy insects from ice, the childminder is very quick to tell children to use warm water to melt the ice. Therefore, at times, children do not have enough time to investigate their own ideas as they take part in activities.

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need to do better?

28 June 2023 n The childminder has established some good communication with staff at other early years settings children attend. For example, when she collects children, she has a brief handover with staff to find out about what children have enjoyed doing during the day. However, she does not communicate with the staff to make their partnerships even more effective to include sharing children's next steps in their learning. Therefore, the childminder does not yet provide the highest level of consistency to the children's shared care and learning opportunities. n Parents speak very highly of the childminder. They comment that she is 'vibrant' and 'truly special'. The childminder establishes positive relationships with parents and keeps them fully involved in their children's learning. She shares helpful information to support parents to enjoy learning at home with their children. This includes bug hunting activity ideas to build on children's understanding of

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need to do better?

the natural world. n The childminder evaluates her practice daily. She reflects on how well she has engaged children and what she could enhance further. The childminder takes into careful consideration the views and feedback shared by children and parents. She uses her findings to support her future practice. The childminder carries out regular reading and research to keep up to date with new early years information. This includes implementing new activity ideas to help keep children motivated to learn.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder completes safeguarding training and keeps her knowledge up to date. She has a strong knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures. She knows the signs and symptoms of abuse and how to raise and follow up any potential concerns to keep children safe. The childminder teaches children how to keep themselves and others safe. For instance, when visiting the nearby lakes, they talk about how to stay safe around water.

p.3

should:

n build more effective partnerships with other early years settings that children attend to improve the continuity and support for children's learning experiences n strengthen opportunities for children to test their own ideas and solve problems to support their independent exploration.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY221161 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10288840 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

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 9 Date of previous inspection 2 November 2017

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2002. She is located in Aylesford, Kent. The childminder cares for children from Monday to Thursday, from 7.30am to 5.30pm, all year round. She receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two years. The childminder holds a relevant early years qualification at level 3.

p.4

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 childminder. n The inspector carried out a learning walk with the childminder. The inspector assessed the impact of the quality of interactions and the learning opportunities the childminder provides to children. n The inspector viewed the indoor and outdoor learning environments. n The inspector reviewed written documentation. This included safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures. n During the inspection, the inspector spoke to the childminder and children at convenient times and reviewed written feedback from parents and considered their views.

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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

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