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

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The provision is good

Children of all ages are very happy and settled in the childminder's welcoming and inviting home. For example, even the youngest are excited to arrive. The childminder has a good knowledge of her chosen curriculum, which successfully challenges all children's learning. For example, children make their own octopus out of cardboard tubes. They go on to learn about other sea creatures. Children then widen this learning as the childminder teaches them about a range of different animals and their habitats. Children categorise them accordingly, such as learning about which animals' habitats are in the ocean, forest or desert.

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The provision is good

The childminder and assistants are positive role models. They teach children about the expectations of their behaviour. Therefore, children behave well and are polite and kind. Children develop confident communication skills and are eager to share their thoughts and ideas during a wide range of imaginative play. This includes sharing their narratives as they become superheroes. Children learn how to move their bodies with confidence. They explore age-appropriate and safe climbing and balancing equipment, such as climbing walls. The childminder teaches children about the importance of healthy eating. For instance, they discuss the benefits of healthy food groups, such as calcium being good for their teeth and bones.

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need to do better?

n The childminder and assistants establish positive relationships with all children. They get to know what makes each child unique. The childminder fully understands the children's routines and meets their needs well. For instance, it is quickly identified when younger children require a sleep. n The childminder has a high expectation of children and what they can achieve, and she plans activities she knows they will enjoy. This supports children to have a positive attitude towards their learning and make good progress. This includes those who speak English as an additional language. n The childminder supports children well to prepare for their eventual move to school. For example, children of all ages are encouraged to be independent. This includes completing tasks such as preparing their own snack. Children are confident to choose their own play and feel safe and secure in the home and in the company of the childminder and assistants.

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need to do better?

n The childminder successfully establishes positive partnerships with parents, who speak highly of her. For example, they comment that they would be lost without her. They praise her honest, kind and approachable demeanour. The childminder communicates with them daily, providing a verbal handover of what their children have been doing. However, she does not routinely share children's next steps in their learning. Therefore, parents are not fully aware of what their children are learning next and how they can further support them at home.

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need to do better?

29 January 2025 n The childminder communicates well with staff at settings children also attend. They routinely share information about children's progress. The childminder successfully provides a good, consistent approach to children's shared care and learning experiences. n Overall, the childminder successfully ensures that children remain engaged in learning, and they thoroughly enjoy their activities and experiences. However, the organisation of, and swift change in, some activities does not allow children to return to continue to learn. Therefore, the childminder does not make the most out of ways to minimise interruptions in children's learning. n The childminder evaluates her practice daily. She considers what they have done well and what they can continue to build on. The childminder closely monitors the quality of care and teaching that herself and her assistants provide. For example, they observe each other interact with children. As a team, they share

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need to do better?

helpful feedback and use findings to enhance practice even further. n The childminder teaches children about other people's similarities and differences outside of their own communities and experiences. For example, they taste traditional dishes from around the world, such as Chinese noodles and Indian samosas. n The childminder completes thorough risk assessments and teaches children how to keep themselves and others safe. For example, children talk about how to remain safe around the family dog, Roxy.

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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 review and improve the organisation and length of activities to support children to fully engage in their opportunities and minimise interruption to their learning n support parents to have a clearer understanding of what their children will be learning next.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 156042 Local authority Medway Inspection number 10372547 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 18 Number of children on roll 20 Date of previous inspection 25 April 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2001. She is located in Chatham, Kent. The childminder cares for children from Monday to Friday, from 7am to 6pm, all year round. The childminder works closely with three assistants, one of whom holds a relevant early years qualification at level 2. The childminder receives funding to provide free early education for children aged one, two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector carried out a learning walk with the childminder. The inspector assessed the impact of the quality of interactions and the learning opportunities she provides children. n The inspector viewed the indoor and outdoor learning environments. n The inspector reviewed written documentation. This included safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures. n During the inspection, the inspector spoke to the childminder, assistants and children at convenient times, and reviewed written feedback from parents and considered their views.

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Inspection activities

29 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

29 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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