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 Good

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The provision is good

The childminder and her co-childminders provide a positive, supportive environment where children become confident, independent learners. Children enjoy taking part in a broad range of interesting and challenging activities that are carefully planned to reflect their interests. The childminder encourages children to express their views and opinions, and she listens attentively to what they say. This promotes their confidence and self-esteem. For example, children excitedly suggest the resources they could use to build houses for the 'The Little Pigs'. Together with the childminder, they discuss what will work, and laugh at her suggestions that are purposely less sensible.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy spending time outside. With the support of the childminder, they learn to play games that have rules, such as bowling. They develop control and coordination as they master skills, such as operating the swing, steering ride-on vehicles and playing ball games. The childminder and her colleagues are always on hand to offer support and ideas to enhance children's enjoyment.

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The provision is good

Children are settled and show a strong sense of security. They play together very well and learn to consider the needs of others. For example, older children engrossed in completing complex puzzles are very tolerant when approached by younger, curious children. They laugh with the childminder and mimic her manner as they encourage their young friends to try to place the pieces in the right place.

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need to do better?

n The organisation of the childminding service is effective. The childminder works with two other childminders and with an assistant at different times during the week. She takes the lead role in supporting the assistant to develop their skills and knowledge. The childminder and her colleagues communicate well. This helps to ensure that they are coordinated in their practices and are working effectively together to meet children's needs. n The childminder has very warm, friendly relationships with the children in her care. She makes good use of humour to engage their attention and to encourage them to share their ideas and suggestions. Overall, the childminder promotes children's language well. She engages children in wonderfully complex, often hilarious, conversations and introduces a lot of rich language. However, the childminder is not fully consistent in using her intended methods to help children

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need to do better?

to pronounce words correctly. n The childminder provides children with very good explanations to help them understand what is happening and what is planned for later in the day. She listens to their ideas and works with them to plan how these can be incorporated into the routine. For example, when children are keen to buy hay to build the

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need to do better?

28 February 2024 house for the pigs, the childminder negotiates a timescale to visit the shops that is agreeable to all. This high level of involvement helps children to develop confidence and to gain useful skills for the future. n For much of the day, children thoroughly enjoy energetic and lively games and activities. The childminder plays music frequently during the day, and this is generally appropriate and adds to children's enjoyment. However, there are times when noise levels in the indoor area are high as children engage in a range of different games. At these times, the additional sound of the music acts as a distraction and does not fully support children's language development. n Children benefit from activities that help them to learn about their local community and the wider world. They have regular outings to a local centre where they have opportunities to practise yoga, exercise and sing. Children also

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need to do better?

learn about different religious and cultural beliefs and events, for example Christmas and Eid. n Feedback provided by parents is very positive. They appreciate the effective information-sharing and praise the quality of the activities the childminder offers. The childminder works effectively with her colleagues, parents and other professionals to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. In addition, she has good arrangements to help children and their families prepare for the move to school or other settings. The childminder is aware of the agencies to approach and supports parents to access the appropriate services.

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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 be more consistent in using intended methods to support children to learn how to pronounce words to fully support their language development n target the use of recorded music more precisely to times when it enhances children's learning and enjoyment to avoid unnecessary background noise becoming a distraction.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY492170 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10317204 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 10 Date of previous inspection 1 May 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016 and lives in Northfleet, Kent. She works with two other registered childminders. The childminder operates Monday to Friday, from 7am to 6pm, throughout the year. She receives funding to provide free early education for children aged three and four 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 the setting. n The childminder showed the inspector all of the areas used for childcare and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the childminder interacting with children during a range of activities, indoors and outdoors. n The inspector spoke with children at appropriate times during the inspection to gather their views. n The views of parents, provided in written feedback, were considered. n The inspector viewed a range of relevant documentation.

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Inspection activities

28 February 2024 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 February 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

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