Wilks, Michelle

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

Children are settled and happy during their time with the childminder. She encourages children to be independent. As a result, children are confident to make their own choices, such as what activities they would like to participate in. The childminder has a clear understanding of what children need to learn next and plans activities that successfully capture children's interests. However, on occasion, the childminder fails to adhere to the prescribed staff to child ratios. This means that she is unable to provide all children with consistently high-quality interactions, due to the high number of children present. Children do enjoy interesting activities. For example, they learn about and make masks of a variety of animals, such as a sea otter. They learn about the different sounds animals make and facts about them, such as cows producing milk in their udder.

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The provision requires improvement

The childminder and their assistants are positive role models and provide children with clear expectations for their behaviour. This helps children behave well. Children are kind to other living things. For example, they are excited to find a snail in the garden and remind each other to handle it with care. Children are confident to share their thoughts and ideas as they play. Children learn how to move their bodies with confidence. They explore age-appropriate climbing and balancing equipment safely, such as stepping stones. The childminder teaches children about the importance of healthy eating. They discuss the healthy produce they grow and then taste from their allotment.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is looking after more children than requirements allow. This means that she is unable to consistently meet the learning needs of all children present. For example, some children are not swiftly engaged in their learning as there is a high number of children requiring the childminder's attention and interaction. n Overall, the childminder knows children well. She is clear about what they like and dislike. However, the curriculum is not consistently delivered to the highest quality. This is due to the childminder not meeting required ratios. Therefore, it is difficult to ensure that the curriculum is focused and precise, to meet children's individual needs consistently and to support them to reach their fullest potential. For example, the childminder plans interesting activities. This includes children exploring their senses as they 'crunch' cereals with animals. However, this does not engage all children. For example, they appear to wander, unsure of

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need to do better?

what they would like to do next. The childminder does not consistently notice when they would benefit from more swift interactions to fully engage them in their learning opportunities. n The childminder and assistants have secure and trusting relationships with

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need to do better?

27 February 2025 children who are happy to be there. Children are keen to seek them out for hugs and giggle and squeal with excitement as they finish singing songs together. n The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities well. She keeps her knowledge and skills up through professional development opportunities. This includes attending recent training to help enhance children's communication skills. This helps to support those who have gaps in their language and communication development to catch up with their peers. The childminder liaises closely with outside agencies to embed useful strategies. This includes providing children with a quiet space to feel safe to regulate their emotions if they become overwhelmed. n The childminder successfully establishes positive partnerships with parents who speak fondly of her. For example, they comment they feel it is a lovely place for

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need to do better?

their children to grow. The childminder successfully keeps parents informed of their children's learning. She shares regular photographs of what they have achieved. The childminder shares helpful tips to support families at home, such as healthy eating ideas. This helps provide children with a consistent approach to their learning at home and the setting. n The childminder reflects on her practice routinely. She considers what they have done well and what they can continue to build on. Together, they share helpful feedback and use findings to improve practice. For instance, the childminder recognises she needs to recruit staff to meet ratios and enhance their quality of teaching. n The childminder teaches children about other peoples' similarities and differences outside of their own communities and experiences. For example, they talk about the traditions of Diwali and St David's Day celebrations. This

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need to do better?

helps children begin to enhance their respect and understand equality and diversity. n The childminder supports children who speak English as an additional language well. This includes learning key words in other languages, such as Bulgarian and using visual support such as signing. This helps support all children to communicate with confidence.

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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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Due date

27 February 2025 ensure that ratio requirements are always met, to be able to meet the learning needs of all children when working flexibly within the staff to child ratio. 05/03/2025

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should:

n build on the quality and consistency of interactions that help motivate children and encourage their engagement.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY459799 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10376320 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 12 Number of children on roll 15 Date of previous inspection 24 May 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2013. She is located in Maidstone in Kent. The childminder cares for children from Monday to Thursday from 7.30am to 5.30pm, all year around. The childminder works with two assistants. 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 the childminder 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, assistant and children at convenient times and reviewed written feedback from parents and considered their views.

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Inspection activities

27 February 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

27 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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