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

All children happily arrive at the childminder's home. Parents talk to her at the door while their children walk in with confidence and excitement. The childminder starts each day with an exciting 'wake-up exercise'. All children happily engage with this. They make various movements such as stretching, bending and shaking their bodies. This enhances the children's experience. It also sets a positive tone for the day.

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The provision is good

Children show a high level of engagement with all activities. They spend extended time safely exploring activities of their choice. For instance, they actively engage in a building activity using plastic bricks. This a child-initiated activity but well supported by the childminder. This provides an extended learning opportunity for all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They explore colours and shapes and link the activity with real-life experiences. This enhances children's self-esteem and independence.

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The provision is good

The childminder adopts a flexible and successful curriculum that follows the individual needs of the children. She also has high expectations of children's behaviours and, overall, supports them well.

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need to do better?

n The children access a high-quality curriculum all through the day. The childminder makes every moment a learning opportunity for children. For example, they discuss letter sounds while tidying away the large letter, foam mat. Children confidently say 'i is for ice' and 'm is for monkey'. This supports children's language and literacy development well. n The childminder successfully supports children to develop their mathematical understanding. She provides interesting activities, such as measuring children's height in building blocks and exploration of various colours of play dough. This encourages active participation and learning for all children. n Children have opportunities to develop both their gross and fine motor skills. The childminder ensures that children benefit from regularly spending time playing outside. They also go on walks to the local woodland park every week. This provides them with exciting opportunities to learn about the natural world. The

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need to do better?

childminder uses these opportunities to promote children's understanding of safety. n The childminder communicates effectively with all the children, including those with SEND. For instance, she sits on the floor with them while they make a model using plastic blocks. They talk about what they are making and how to achieve the desired model. This enhances children's communication skills. n The childminder liaises with external agencies to support children's needs. She

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need to do better?

30 April 2024 identifies children at risk of speech delay. She then works alongside parents to make prompt referrals. This enables children's rapid and consistent progress. n The childminder uses every opportunity to reinforce positive behaviours. For example, she encourages children to share. However, she is sometimes too prompt to step in to resolve conflicts and does not recognise when children would benefit from more support to learn to manage these situations independently. n Parents speak highly of the childminder. The childminder maintains a good communication system with parents. All parents are aware of their children's next steps. For example, the childminder shares with parents how she is supporting the children to write numbers and their names. She also liaises with parents to enhance children's potty training. This aids children's ability to achieve set goals at a faster pace.

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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 support for children to develop the skills to interact with others and to resolve conflicts independently.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY500457 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10335881 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 3 Date of previous inspection 29 June 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016 and lives in Gravesend, Kent. She provides care all day, Monday to Friday, with the exception of bank holidays and 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 childminder. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their early years curriculum. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about children's learning and development, with a particular focus on communication and language. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure that they are safe and suitable.

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Inspection activities

30 April 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

30 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

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