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 provides children with a warm and welcoming environment. Children arrive happy and settle quickly. The childminder creates an inviting space that is well equipped for children to make free choices in their play. For example, children eagerly engage in the farm puzzles and stories on offer, imitating the sounds the animals make. The childminder has a calm and nurturing approach, which allows children to feel safe and secure. Children have built strong, positive bonds with the childminder, often approaching her to share stories and seek comfort. She offers children wider experiences in the community. For example, the childminder regularly takes children to local parks and lakes to feed the ducks. This teaches children about the world around them and the community they live in.

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The provision is good

The childminder encourages children to have a go at tasks, offering support when needed. For example, when children correctly label the pictures of animals in a book, she gives lots of praise, both verbally and with 'high fives', for their achievements. This gives children a sense of pride and encourages them to build on their skills with confidence.

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The provision is good

The childminder gets to know children's unique personalities and developmental needs. This knowledge enables her to provide a curriculum that includes all children. For instance, she is aware of children who require more support to develop their communication and language skills. The childminder implements appropriate interventions to support children who are learning to talk. This allows all children to have a voice in the setting and to make their needs known.

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need to do better?

n Children show confidence in their environment and are excited to show the resources they have. The childminder is quick to respond to children's interests. For instance, when children show an interest in drawing, she promptly provides pencils and paper for them to explore. n The childminder gathers information on children from the start. This knowledge enables her to build on what children know and can already do. For example, she introduces mathematical language to young children, such as 'tall' and 'small', when building towers. n She is aware that some children attend other settings; however, she has not developed effective ways of communicating with these settings. This results in a lack of partnership working, which impacts on children's learning and development. n Children show high levels of engagement during activities and persevere at certain tasks, showing resilience. The childminder supports children with

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need to do better?

problem-solving skills. For example, when children are posting animals through

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need to do better?

10 October 2024 spaces, they become frustrated when one does not fit. The childminder calmly explains that it is too big and offers a smaller one to try. n Children are independent in a well-embedded routine. For example, children tidy up activities before moving on to another and wash their hands before mealtimes. The childminder is sensitive when supporting children with their care needs and uses these opportunities to build on their early language skills. n Children respond to the childminder's high expectations of them. For example, when given gentle reminders to take turns, they are quick to do so. The childminder then recognises these positive behaviours, for example by stating that they have done very good listening. This gives children confidence in continuing to follow the clear rules and boundaries in this setting. n Parents report that the childminder shares information regularly, both virtually

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need to do better?

and in person. This enables them to be fully informed about their child's learning and achievements. They state that children are quick to settle and are happy to attend the childminder's warm and welcoming home. They feel that the childminder goes above and beyond to help and support both their children and them as parents. n The childminder keeps herself up to date with relevant knowledge and information. She shows good reflective skills and is able to identify where she would benefit from more training or knowledge. She works well with outside agencies in order to offer the best support for children, including those with additional learning needs.

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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 develop more effective strategies for sharing information with other settings that children attend to support their development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY385243 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10359914 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 5 Date of previous inspection 12 December 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2009 and lives in Larkfield, Kent. She provides care for children from Monday to Thursday, from 7.30am to 5.30pm, all year round. She holds a relevant early years qualification at level 3. The childminder provides funded early care and education for children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises her early years provision, including the aims and rationale for her Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. n Children engaged 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 parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

10 October 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

10 October 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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