King, Nicola

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

Children are warmly welcomed into this homely setting. The childminder creates a nurturing environment, where relationships are trusting. This helps children to feel safe and secure. Children are happy. The childminder has high expectations of behaviour. Children use the symbols on the poster of house rules to help them remember the rules, such as using 'kind hands' and sharing. Where children have minor disagreements, the childminder gently explains to them how the other child might feel if treated unkindly. The childminder has established routines, which children follow. For example, at snack time, the children go to sit on a blanket outside in the sunshine to eat their food. The childminder provides good support in helping children understand how to keep safe. She reminds them to outstretch their arms to help them balance as they walk along a low log, so they do not fall off.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder has planned her curriculum to build on the knowledge and skills of the children, and this helps them to have positive attitudes to their learning. At this early stage of the academic year, she has a focus on sharing and turn taking. She frequently reminds children to share the resources, and they are praised when they do so. For example, children happily share a favourite book and discuss their emotions.

p.2

need to do better?

n There are positive partnerships between parents and the childminder. The childminder and the parents share information about the learning and progress of the children through a private social media platform. The childminder provides suggestions as to how parents can support the learning of their child at home. This helps to ensure a consistency of approach, such as sharing the house rule symbols and potty training strategies. n The childminder plans her curriculum carefully to meet the needs of all the children. She uses her observations and the information that is gained from discussions with parents and children to plan appropriate and engaging activities to support children in making good progress. n Children are supported effectively in developing communication and language skills. The childminder speaks clearly to help support accurate pronunciation of younger children. She encourages older children to extend their vocabulary, such

p.2

need to do better?

as thinking of different words they can use to describe their emotions. Children enjoy sharing books with the childminder, often using their imaginations to change the events of the story. n The childminder supports the physical development of the children effectively. In her garden, children ride tricycles, practise balancing and play ball games. They benefit from visits to the local park, where they can climb and run in larger

p.2

need to do better?

17 September 2024 spaces. Children enjoy walks in the local woods, observing the seasonal changes that are taking place and collecting items to create pictures using natural materials. n Children learn to respect that people belong to different cultures and have beliefs that are not the same as their own. For instance, they learn about festivals and share the special food that is eaten during celebrations, such as Divali. n The childminder ensures that children have a healthy diet with free access to drinking water. They sit at the table and take turns to choose pieces of fruit. This helps them to make independent choices. The childminder supports children in understanding how to maintain oral hygiene. n The childminder ensures that children are well prepared for the next stage of their education. They learn to be independent in managing their own self-care, to play collaboratively with others, to listen attentively and to respond to

p.2

need to do better?

instructions. The childminder has links with other settings that children attend. However, information about the learning and development of children is not consistently shared. n The childminder is reflective about her practice and is keen to make improvements, particularly to her outside area. She has plans to create more varied opportunities for water play to provide further support for the development of mathematical language.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts the interests of children first.

p.3

should:

n enhance the links with other settings that children attend to help provide a consistent approach to learning and development.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY319186 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10359872 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 3 Number of children on roll 9 Date of previous inspection 17 December 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2006. She lives in Barming, in Maidstone, Kent. The childminder operates for 48 weeks a year, from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. She provides funded care and early education for two-, three- and four- year-old children. She holds an appropriate early years qualification.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The childminder took the inspector on a learning walk and explained the intended educational impact of the activities that are provided. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children and discussed the learning that took place. n The inspector talked to the childminder about her responsibilities in terms of keeping children safe at all times. The inspector viewed documents relating to the suitability of adults. n At appropriate times, the inspector spoke to the children and read the testimonials that are written by parents. She took their comments into account in her evaluation of the childminder.

p.4

Inspection activities

17 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.

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Inspection activities

17 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

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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