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 are very happy in the company of the childminder and assistants. They enjoy their time at the inviting home and are confident and settled. The childminder successfully implements an engaging curriculum that helps keep children motivated to learn. Therefore, children have a positive attitude towards their learning. Children are keen to use guttering pipes to race cars, and the childminder teaches them about speed and slopes. Children are excited to talk about the weather and how it has recently snowed and been very cold. The childminder teaches them about ice, including how it is formed, and they explore how they can break ice and learn about how it melts.

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The provision is good

The childminder and assistants are positive role models. Children behave well and are kind and polite. Children are respectful to each other and other living things. For example, they know how to behave around 'Lemon', the family dog, and are gentle and quiet when collecting eggs from the chicken coup. Children have good opportunities to develop their physical skills. For instance, they are confident to use challenging climbing and balancing equipment safely. The childminder teaches children about the importance of healthy eating. For example, they enjoy harvesting and trying their own produce, such as green beans and courgettes.

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need to do better?

n The childminder gets to know individual children and their personalities well. This includes fully understanding what makes them unique. This helps her plan experiences that she knows will engage children in their learning. Children of all ages make good progress in their development. n The childminder and her assistants establish secure and trusting relationships with all children. It is evident that children enjoy their company. For example, they laugh and giggle happily as they play together. The childminder encourages children to believe in their capabilities. She provides them with encouragement and praise for their achievements, and children beam with pride in return. n The childminder supports all children to develop good communication skills. For example, she has meaningful conversations with them, giving them time to think and then share their own thoughts and ideas. Children hear a wide range of

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need to do better?

vocabulary and communicate with confidence. n The childminder has worked hard to ensure that her home is hygienic and safe. However, she does not always ensure that all children consistently follow and understand hygiene rules, such as the importance of more thorough handwashing routines before mealtimes. n The childminder establishes positive relationships with parents and keeps them fully informed about their children's learning and achievements. For example, she shares videos and photographs daily showing what children have enjoyed

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need to do better?

16 January 2024 doing. Parents speak highly of the childminder and her assistants. They state that their children receive incredible care and teaching, which helps them to flourish. n The childminder liaises closely with parents about children who also attend another setting. However, she does not use more effective ways to establish partnerships and regularly communicate with staff at the settings children also attend. n The childminder and her assistants reflect upon their practice daily. They evaluate how well they engage children and consider ways to enhance practice further. The childminder and her assistant regularly share ideas and observe each other's interactions with children. They provide each other with constructive feedback and use their findings to support their plans. The childminder closely monitors the quality of care and teaching the assistants provide. n Children have many opportunities to learn about people and communities. This

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need to do better?

includes traditions and festivals celebrated from around the world, such as Diwali. n The childminder teaches children how to keep themselves and others safe. For example, children have an active role in helping to complete risk assessments of the extensive outdoor space to ensure that there are no unknown risks and hazards.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n support children to understand in more depth the importance of consistently following good hygiene routines n establish effective partnerships with staff at other settings that children also attend.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2642602 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10308633 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 12 Number of children on roll 18 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2021. She is located in Sevenoaks, Kent. The childminder cares for children from Monday to Friday, 7am to 7pm, all year round. The childminder holds a relevant early years qualification at level 3. She works closely with two assistants, one of whom also has a relevant early years qualification at level 3. The childminder receives funding to provide free early education for children aged three years.

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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 her practice. 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 she provides 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, her assistant and children at convenient times. She reviewed written feedback from parents and considered their views.

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Inspection activities

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

16 January 2024 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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