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 happy and settled at this friendly childminder's home. The childminder warmly welcomes families at the door, and children enter eager to play with their friends. They develop strong bonds with the childminder and each other. This supports their self-esteem and emotional well-being successfully. The childminder encourages children to keep themselves safe. She gently reminds them to wear their coats when playing outside and to drink water. Children respond positively to her. They listen well and follow instructions immediately. For example, children help straightaway when asked to tidy up. The childminder praises and encourages them. This develops their confidence effectively.

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The provision is good

The childminder provides children with a wide range of activities and experiences. Children delight in talking about their recent trip to the local football club, where a model they made is displayed. The childminder plans a range of visits to support children's widening experiences. For example, children enjoy looking back at photographs of their recent trips to the library and parks. This helps to develop children's understanding of the world around them. The childminder promotes children's positive attitudes to learning well. She is a good role model. Children immensely enjoy exploring dinosaur eggs and are excited to see what is inside. This helps to develop children's imagination and curiosity. All children make good progress.

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need to do better?

n The childminder promotes children's positive behaviour well. She encourages children to take turns and share their toys. Children invite their friends to join them in their play. For example, children spend a long time engrossed in the sandpit. They make sandcastles and look for insects together. The childminder celebrates their achievements with 'wow' moments and creates 'happy mail' certificates to share with parents. This encourages children's positive behaviour and social skills well. n The childminder promotes children's understanding of others. She is gentle and kind in her approach. She encourages children to talk about how they feel and manage their emotions. Children help their friends to find their name cards when they arrive, and wait patiently for their friends to have their turn. This helps to develop their friendships and relationships. n The childminder provides a wide range of activities and experiences for children

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need to do better?

that are based on their needs and interests. For example, children delight in exploring the tadpoles that they are caring for. The childminder explains to children how to look after them carefully and to keep the water clean. This helps to support their understanding of caring for others. n The childminder successfully supports children's language and speech skills. She

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need to do better?

10 April 2024 holds thoughtful conversations with children about what they are doing and what they want to do. Children delight in joining in with actions and singing their favourite rhymes. This supports their developing vocabulary. n Children benefit from activities to support their mathematical understanding. The childminder has successfully prioritised children's number and counting skills. She skilfully uses opportunities to help children to learn about numbers. For example, children count with her when putting coloured blocks away and when building their own models. n Children benefit from some good opportunities to practise doing things for themselves. However, the childminder is sometimes quick to step in and offer support as children try to master practical skills, such as doing up their coats. At these times, children do not always benefit from having the time and encouragement they need to fully develop their independence. The childminder

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need to do better?

promotes children's health well. For example, she encourages them to wash their hands before eating and talks to them about healthy food choices. n The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities well. She liaises with local schools to support children. For example, the childminder borrows resources to help children communicate with picture cards. She works closely with the local authority and other childminders to support her own practice to ensure that she offers good-quality care and education for all children. n Communication with parents is strong. The childminder shares detailed information with parents about their children. She provides learning journeys and photographs of what children have been learning, and plans their next steps. Parents speak highly of the flexible hours on offer, which enable them to work. They appreciate the ideas they are given to help their children at home,

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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 provide more-consistent opportunities for children to try to do things for themselves to support their developing independence skills even further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2675161 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10336922 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 6 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2022 and lives in Tovil in Maidstone, Kent. She cares for children between 7am and 5.45pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, expect for family holidays. The childminder holds a level 3 childcare qualification.

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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 talked to the inspector about what they want for children in their care. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this had on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the childminder with the inspector.

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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

10 April 2024 10 April 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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