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 creates a warm and inviting environment. She provides tailored settling-in programmes for children depending on their needs. This helps her to get to know each child and develop secure relationships as soon as they start. Children arrive happy and talk about their friends who are arriving later. They are inquisitive and eager to explore the exciting activities that have been set up. These link to their interests and next steps. The childminder thinks carefully about which books to display to help children recall what they have learned during the week. This means that children repeat new learning until they have mastered tricky concepts.

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The provision is good

The childminder provides children with plenty of experiences to explore their local community. These include weekly visits to a local retirement home. Children enjoy playing parachute games with the residents. They count down backwards and squeal with delight as they toss the beanbags high into the air. The childminder also teaches children about different faiths. For example, they visit local places of worship to learn about people in the community in which they live. These experiences support children's social development and prepare them for life in modern Britain.

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need to do better?

n The childminder provides a well-sequenced curriculum for all children. She introduces younger children to simpler concepts to help them learn these first before adding the next level of challenge. For example, younger children finger paint with primary colours. Older children learn trickier colours, such as purple and lilac. Children have time to embed new learning before they move on. n Children delight in the one-to-one time with adults that forms part of daily routines. They enjoy completing puzzles with the childminder. When children get stuck, she encourages them to look at the picture on the box. This helps them to work out where each piece goes and develops their problem-solving skills. n Overall, the childminder is proficient at developing language for older children. She models language well and asks questions. However, at times, she does not adapt her teaching skills to help younger children answer questions. This

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need to do better?

prevents some children from making the most of opportunities to practise their speaking skills. n Children look forward to daily singing sessions. The childminder asks the children to take turns to choose a toy from a bag. They try to guess what song the toy links to. For example, when a child chooses a chicken, they sing 'Old MacDonald Had a Farm' before passing the bag on. This contributes to children's understanding of how to take turns and share. n The childminder has established positive partnerships with other settings that the children attend. She shares information about children's development and

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need to do better?

10 October 2024 next steps with their key person. The childminder adapts her planning to incorporate what the children are learning at other settings. This continuity of care benefits children's learning and development. n The childminder has good methods for monitoring children's progress. Each child has next steps to work on to make sure that they make progress. The childminder initiates conversations with parents about any concerns. However, she does not always seek external advice at the earliest stage. This means children do not always get the extra help they need as quickly as possible. n Parents confirm that they are very happy with the childminder. She shares information daily about what their children have been doing. Parents love how she encourages the children to be independent. For example, the childminder encourages children to try and dress and undress themselves. Parents say that their children have blossomed in confidence and become more independent in

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need to do better?

dressing at home. n The childminder regularly reflects on her setting. This allows her to identify strengths and areas for improvement. She uses her skills to ensure the delivery of a broad and balanced curriculum. The childminder has high expectations for all children. Children make good progress across the seven areas of learning.

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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 strengthen the use of communication strategies to maximise their impact on fostering children's communication skills n review practices for contacting external professionals for advice or to make referrals in a timely manner to support children who need more help.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY479987 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10363972 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 15 Number of children on roll 15 Date of previous inspection 17 January 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2014 and employs an assistant. She lives in Gravesend, Kent. The childminder is a qualified primary school teacher. She offers her service for most of the year, Monday to Thursday, all day. The childminder receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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 the early years provision, including the aims and rationale for the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder, her assistant and the children. n Parents shared their views on the setting with the inspector. 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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