Childminder in Kent

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Inadequate Behaviour and attitudes Inadequate Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

p.1

The provision is inadequate

Although the childminder builds caring relationships with children, there are weaknesses in her practice that mean children are not always safeguarded effectively. In addition, the support for children's learning lacks focus in order to build their skills effectively.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

The childminder enables children to play and occupy themselves. They enjoy making choices and self-select toys, which are stored at their level. However, the childminder does not have a secure knowledge of what she wants children to learn to meet their developmental needs. Therefore, activities do not help children move forward in their learning. For example, children are often asked to name the colours of the toys they are playing with, despite them having a secure knowledge of colours. This causes children's engagement in learning to vary as they do not always receive suitable challenges. As a result, children do not make the progress they are capable of.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

The childminder supports children's behaviour appropriately. For instance, she reminds them to walk inside as they play. Children listen well. The childminder encourages children to take turns. For example, she helps children to let others have an opportunity to test out how shapes fit in the shape sorter. However, they do not receive the support they need to develop positive attitudes to learning.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder does not always ensure that she supervises children appropriately to be able to see or hear what they are doing at all times. This includes when they are eating. This means that children's safety is compromised. n The childminder does not have a secure knowledge of a range of areas that would give cause for concern about a child in her care. She has not ensured that she has knowledge of the up-to-date local authority procedures to report a safeguarding concern about a child. This means that she is not able to promptly take action to safeguard children, should the need arise. n The childminder does not have a secure knowledge of what would constitute an allegation made against her. She is not aware of the procedures to follow if this event were to happen. The childminder has a safeguarding policy, but it is not effective. She does not have the up-to-date information to be able to follow local

p.2

need to do better?

authority procedures. n Although the childminder builds trusting relationships with parents, she does not recognise her role in working with parents to make sure her procedures are followed and to support children's care and learning. Despite this, parents comment that their children look forward to going to the childminder's home and that their children have learned a range of songs.

p.2

need to do better?

25 February 2025 n The childminder's curriculum is not planned well enough to identify what it is important for children to learn next. The activities that children take part in lack precise planning and the childminder does not have an understanding of the skills children will gain. Children do learn some skills to help them for the next stage of learning at school, but this learning is accidental rather than purposeful. n The childminder has not fully considered ways of supporting her professional development. She has not taken suitable action to keep her knowledge up to date to effectively support children's learning and well-being. For example, the childminder is aware that she has gaps in her safeguarding knowledge, but has not taken appropriate steps to rectify this. n The childminder supports children to have a suitable understanding of hygiene routines. For example, children learn to wash their hands and help to clean the

p.2

need to do better?

table before mealtimes. Children enjoy sitting together and eat a health snack of fruit. n Children enjoy the opportunity to play outside each day. They role play together in the playhouse and welcome each other in. The childminder opens the lid of the tray for children to play in the sand when they show interest. Children enjoy the feeling of the wet sand and chat to each other as they play.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is not an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

Due date

ensure children are appropriately supervised, including when eating, to support their needs and overall safety 08/04/2025

p.3

Due date

take action to develop a secure safeguarding knowledge to ensure a clear understanding of what would give concern about a child and the steps to take in line with the local authority safeguarding procedures 08/04/2025

p.3

Due date

25 February 2025 develop an understanding of what constitutes an allegation that could be made against adults working with children and household members 08/04/2025

p.3

Due date

implement suitable strategies to identify training needs and develop skills to gain a secure understanding of the roles and responsibilities of registration. 08/04/2025

p.4

Due date

develop partnership working with parents to fully meet the learning and development needs of children 08/04/2025

p.4

Due date

implement a curriculum and plan for children's learning, so that activities have a clear intention to support their overall learning and development. 08/04/2025

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY292752 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10372622 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7 Date of previous inspection 29 April 2019

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2004 and lives in Greenhill, Herne Bay, Kent. She provides care from Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6.30pm, for most of the year. The childminder provides funded early education for children aged two, three and four years.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The inspector and childminder completed a joint observation. n The inspector viewed documentation such as suitability records and paediatric first-aid certificate. n The inspector observed interactions between children and the childminder. n The inspector gained the views of parents. n The inspector spoke to children during the inspection.

p.5

Inspection activities

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

25 February 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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