Childminder in Medway

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 is kind and caring in her approach to looking after children in her care. For example, children seek her out for cuddles and reassurance when they feel unsure with a change in routine. They demonstrate that they feel safe and secure in the home-from-home environment as she offers them reassurance and comfort. Children quickly settle down and engage with their learning through play.

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The provision is good

Children behave well during their time at the childminder's home and have positive attitudes to their learning. The atmosphere is calm and relaxed. For example, the childminder offers lots of positive praise when children complete tasks at hand. She celebrates their achievements with them, such as when they successfully use scissors with skill and control. This helps to promote children's self-esteem and has a positive impact on the development of their characters as they enjoy the responsibility of completing small tasks.

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The provision is good

The childminder has high expectations for all children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. For instance, the childminder continually tracks children's progress to enable her to identify any gaps in their learning and development. This ensures that children make continuous progress across the seven areas of learning and development.

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need to do better?

n The childminder plans an effective curriculum that develops children's knowledge and understanding across the seven areas of the early years foundation stage well. For example, they recently studied the life cycle of a butterfly. They observed the weekly changes that occurred as they hatched their own eggs. The childminder supported their learning further with age-appropriate literature that introduced new language, such as 'chrysalis' and 'larva'. This ensures that children's learning is embedded and that they are more than ready for their next stage of learning. n The childminder ensures that she tracks children's progress regularly. She can identify any gaps in their learning quickly because of this. However, the childminder is not always confident about when to refer children to other professionals, such as speech and language therapists. While the childminder uses strategies to help ensure that children make good progress from their

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need to do better?

starting points, they do not always benefit from additional support from other agencies. n Children conduct themselves in a positive manner and behave well at the childminder's home. For instance, during mealtimes, they display good manners. They say 'please' and 'thank you' without hesitation. Children sit and eat their food sensibly at the table as they enjoy back-and-forth conversations with the

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need to do better?

14 July 2023 childminder. They respond promptly to the childminder's requests. These relationships reflect a positive and respectful culture, where expectations are commonly understood. n The childminder supports children well to become increasingly independent during daily routines. For instance, children learn to manage their self-care routines well. After they have eaten, children independently access cleaning wipes to clean their hands and faces. The childminder is patient and gives children lots of time to try and do things for themselves. Children respond well to this and take pride in their achievements. n Partnerships with parents are a strength of the childminder. For example, the childminder understands the importance of regularly sharing information with them about children's progress. Parents share consistent and positive feedback about their experiences and their children's continuous progress from their

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need to do better?

starting points. Learning is shared between home and the setting consistently. This continuity in care and education impacts positively on the outcomes for all children. n The childminder talks passionately about her plans to improve her outdoor space to enhance the opportunities available to all children in her care. Her home and garden are safe and secure. For instance, the childminder has implemented thorough risk assessments that she carries out daily. This ensures that children are safe.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a good understanding of how to keep children in her care safe from harm. She can confidently discuss a range of issues that may impact on children and families, such as domestic violence, county lines and grooming. The childminder ensures that she keeps her professional knowledge and understanding up to date by accessing regular safeguarding training. The childminder knows the procedures to follow if an allegation was ever made about herself or a member of her household.

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should:

n improve knowledge and understanding of how to implement targeted support for children who may need additional support with their learning and development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2645965 Local authority Medway Inspection number 10301604 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 1 Number of children on roll 1 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2021 and lives in Gillingham, Kent. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, except for family holidays.

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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 inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact 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 request.

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Inspection activities

14 July 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 July 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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