Childminder in Medway

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

p.1

The provision is good

The childminder offers a warm and welcoming environment. This enables children to be relaxed and have a sense of belonging. The childminder has created strong bonds with young children. For example, very young children approach her with open arms and a smile. Children settle quickly and engage in the activities that are provided by the childminder or with resources that are available to them at their level. Children are well supported and encouraged to have a go independently. They show pride in their achievements and persevere at set tasks. For example, children continue to build when a tower falls down several times until it works. They then smile and clap and begin to count the bricks they have used.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are confident and happy as they make free choices in their play. For example, some children sit at the table while drawing with pencils, labelling the colours they use, while other children explore the cars on the floor. The childminder gives children opportunities to explore the local area. They have daily access to parks, and they enjoy going to feed the ducks. This helps to broaden children's experiences and build on their physical skills. The childminder has several animals in the home that children learn about and help care for. For example, they observe how the stick insects move, and they count them.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder has a calm nature. This helps them to engage in the activities that are provided. She is quick to introduce new resources when she notices children losing interest or becoming distracted. However, on occasion, the childminder does not adapt group activities to fully engage the youngest children. This results in the learning intentions not being fully met. n The childminder encourages good language skills with young children. She reads stories regularly and encourages them to mimic the animal sounds. She introduces new vocabulary even to very young children. She supports children who speak English as an additional language effectively, and they make good progress in their learning. n The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of children's interests and where they are at developmentally. She introduces weekly topics to enable children to gain new learning. She promotes independence and confidence in

p.2

need to do better?

children well. For example, she recently did a minibeasts week after being informed of children who had developed a fear of insects and bugs. She used this opportunity to build on their confidence. They now help care for the stick insects that have been introduced at the setting. n Children behave well. They are polite and often say 'please' and 'thank you' without prompt. They are confident to ask the childminder when they would like to change the activity, and they willingly tidy up when asked to by the

p.2

need to do better?

11 September 2024 childminder before starting something new. Older children offer to help younger children and are accepting of them when the childminder explains to them they are a lot younger. For example, when they knock a tower down as they are trying to build, older children say, 'That's okay. We can do it again.' n The childminder promotes independence in children, in particular their own care needs. She supports them to become confident in washing their hands before snack and to put on aprons before a painting activity. She sets simple rules and gives clear instructions, so children know what is expected. For example, when painting, they use one paintbrush at time and pause to clean up spills before continuing. n Parents report that the childminder offers a variety of experiences to children. She communicates regularly, ensuring that parents are well informed of their child's development and learning. The childminder has robust settling-in

p.2

need to do better?

procedures to ensure that children's and parents' experiences are positive. This enables strong relationships to form and for children to quickly engage in learning within their environment. n The childminder keeps her knowledge current, for example, through accessing regular training. This enables her to adapt her practice to enhance the learning experiences that she offers children and build on their existing skills. She reflects on her practice regularly and is prompt to respond to children's interests and needs. She works well with local schools to support children in their transition to their next stage of education.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

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

p.3

should:

n strengthen opportunities for very young children to engage more fully in group activities.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 103627 Local authority Medway Inspection number 10351312 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 3 Date of previous inspection 24 October 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1991. She is located in Rochester, Kent. The childminder operates term-time only, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. She holds a relevant early years qualification at level 3.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures that they are safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises her early years provision, including the aims and rationale for the early years foundation stage curriculum. n The children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the curriculum has been implemented and the impact that this has had on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

p.4

Inspection activities

11 September 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

11 September 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6