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

Children very quickly develop positive relationships with the childminder. They show that they feel safe and secure in her care. Children benefit from a well- organised and child-friendly environment. They show delight and happiness when they follow their interests. Children are well motivated to play and learn.

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The provision is good

Children's communication and language skills are a priority for the childminder. They regularly sing songs and listen to stories, such as the Big Red Bus. The childminder chooses books that consider the youngest children's interests. This helps children maintain good concentration. The childminder asks meaningful questions about the story and gives older children time to think and answer. This helps children know more and remember more. Children learn new concepts introduced by the childminder. For example, they learn that a thought bubble is used to represent what a character is thinking or imagining. This improves their understanding about how books work. Children develop the skills they need to prepare them for school.

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The provision is good

Children behave well. They respond to the childminder's simple instructions and explanations and begin to wait patiently for what they want. Children gradually learn the behaviours that the childminder expects of them, such as saying please when they ask for a sticker. Children receive praise and reassurance, which develops their confidence and good self-esteem.

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need to do better?

n Parents speak highly of the childminder. They comment that they are kept well informed about the daily activities which their children are engaged in. The childminder has clear intentions for children's learning. This helps support learning at home. The childminder completes a welcome pack with parents on entry. However, she does not collect sufficient information and decide on some next steps for their learning to inform her curriculum right from the start. n Children's communication and language is supported effectively. The childminder collects key words from parents in their home language. This helps support their children's good understanding. The childminder teaches children the names of objects and descriptive words during daily activities. Children build on their growing vocabulary to develop their expressive language skills. n The childminder plans physical and sensory activities that entice children to

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need to do better?

explore and investigate. For instance, children strengthen their large muscles from 'pulling' and 'stretching' cloud slime. They roll it into balls to make pretend cakes. Children develop their own ideas and strategies for doing things. For example, they creatively decorate the pretend cakes with some small, pictured objects and call them 'candy'. However, the childminder does not teach children

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need to do better?

17 August 2023 about healthier food options to promote good oral health. n Children develop good mathematical skills. For instance, the childminder provides a variety of inset puzzles at different levels of difficulty. She teaches strategies to help children learn about number and shape. For example, older children recite the counting sequence to know which numbered puzzle piece is next. They show pride in their achievements. Younger children show good perseverance when they try to place wooden shapes onto a peg board. They practise their hand-eye coordination skills. n The childminder understands the importance of fresh air and exercise to support children's well-being. For example, she takes children on regular outings into the local community and to nearby parks. Children experience the world around them. The childminder gives children an awareness of other cultures and communities. For instance, she plans to visit a religious temple. This helps

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need to do better?

children learn about how other people live. n The childminder provides opportunities for younger children to feed themselves and develop their self-help skills. For example, children eat finger food and practise holding their bottle of water. Older children follow good personal hygiene routines. For instance, they wipe their own nose at the tissue station and then know to wash their hands. Children learn to be very independent. n The childminder reflects on her practice and identifies how she could further improve. For example, she would like to employ an assistant to grow her business. The childminder recently attended a childcare conference in London for her own professional development. As a result, she has some ideas to develop her outdoor environment. The childminder seeks advice and support from the local authority advisor to share good practice.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder ensures that her safeguarding policies and procedures are in place to protect the welfare of children. She knows the signs and symptoms that might indicate a child is at risk of harm. The childminder is clear about her reporting procedures and who to contact for advice. She knows about the safety and use of mobile phones and protecting children from social networking sites. The childminder has a procedure in place for non-attendance and if children go missing. Risk assessment is effective. For example, she checks on her environment daily to minimise or remove any potential hazards to children to keep them safe.

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should:

n engage parents fully in sharing information about children's starting points to inform the curriculum right from the start

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should:

17 August 2023 n teach children about the benefits of healthy eating to support good oral health and a healthy lifestyle.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2636495 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10295682 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 5 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2021. She lives in Gravesend, Kent. She cares for children from Monday to Thursday, between 8am and 6pm all year round, expect for family holidays. The childminder is in receipt of funding for early education for children aged two -, three- and four-years-old.

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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 childminder. n The inspector carried out a learning walk with the childminder to understand how the early years provision and the curriculum is organised. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder. n The inspector held discussions with the childminder and interacted with children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about children's learning and development, with a particular focus on communication and language. n A sample of documents were reviewed by the inspector, including the safeguarding children policy and complaints policy. n The inspector spoke to parents and read their views about the service provided.

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Inspection activities

17 August 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

17 August 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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