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

Children thoroughly enjoy the time they spend in the childminder's home. They have high levels of well-being due to their needs being met. Children are confident in exploring the environment and show high levels of involvement. For example, children are keen to role play home customs and pretend to cook. The childminder carefully plans experiences for children based on their current interests and their individual next steps in learning. Consequently, children are motivated to learn and join in.

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The provision is good

The childminder has developed an inspiring curriculum. It has a current focus on developing children's communication and language, personal, social, and emotional development, and independence. She has a secure understanding of child development and what she hopes children achieve before they move on to school. For example, she understands the importance of children developing their fine motor skills in preparation for writing.

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The provision is good

Children behave well, the childminder acts as a positive role model. She is skilled at managing children's challenging behaviour by redirecting them to other areas of interest. She has clear rules and boundaries that she is consistent with. This provides children with the support they need to manage their emotions.

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need to do better?

n The childminder finds out what children can already do when they start. She uses this information and her own observations to identify what children need to learn next. Activities have specific learning intentions for individual children and the childminder knows how to adapt her teaching to meet their needs. Furthermore, she is able to identify when children may need further support or have a special educational need and/or disability. The childminder is swift to speak to parents and other agencies in order to bridge gaps in development. All children are making good levels of progress from their starting points. n The childminder understands the importance of promoting and building on children's communication and language skills. Children hear clearly pronounced, single, repetitive words, and those confident with their verbal communication get to take part in purposeful back-and-forth conversations. The childminder

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need to do better?

narrates children's play appropriately and introduces them to new words and their meanings. This supports children to make connections in their learning of new words and supports all children to become confident communicators. n Children are provided with opportunities and learn about mathematical concepts as they play. For example, as children explore the winter exploration tray, they count the cotton wall balls as they fill up buckets. Furthermore, when constructing large floor puzzles the childminder speaks to the children about

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need to do better?

20 January 2025 shapes and 'flat edges'. Children show that they have learnt a new skill as they line up all the pieces for the edge of the puzzle first. This supports children to develop confidence and positive attitudes to learning as they develop a new skill. n Children enjoy a range of craft and mark making activities. They are learning to hold pencils correctly to form recognisable marks and speak about their drawings. The childminder models writing to the children as she scribes their ideas. However, at times the childminder does not always provide enough opportunity for children to develop their own ideas during creative play in order for them to explore materials and use their imaginations to make their own creations. n The childminder understands the importance of effective and ongoing relationships with parents. Daily she shares with parents what the children have been learning and how this is supporting their individual next steps in

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need to do better?

development. Furthermore, she communicates with other settings that children attend to ensure that children are being provided with a consistent approach. n Children have many opportunities to learn outside the setting. They enjoy trips to local parks and places of interest such as the library and local garden centre. This builds on children's understanding of their local community and the world. Furthermore, the childminder and children attend local toddler groups and meet with other childminders and children. This enables children to develop their emerging social skills in larger groups and form new friendships.

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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 further develop ways for children to use a wider range of tools and materials to enrich their imagination and creativity.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY540566 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10376130 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 5 Number of children on roll 4 Date of previous inspection 17 May 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016 and lives in Dartford, Kent. She operates Monday to Friday from 8am to 5.30pm, all year round, except for bank and family holidays. The childminder provides funded places for two-, three- and four-year- olds.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure they are safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their curriculum. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children. n Parents shared their views of 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

20 January 2025 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

20 January 2025 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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