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 thrive in the exciting, positive environment that is created by the childminder. They enthusiastically take part in the broad range of activities on offer. These are very carefully planned to reflect the individual interests and abilities of each child. For example, children become engrossed in a planned activity that is based on a favourite book. They commit fully to the pretence as the childminder suggests they try the different methods used in the story to stop their baby dolls from crying. Children carefully cut vegetables to feed their babies and gently bath and dry them. They use their knowledge that is gained during carefully sequenced experiences to make well-informed suggestions of their own, such as taking the baby for a walk.

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The provision is good

Children develop wonderful social skills and form strong friendships. The childminder uses very effective methods to help children to share, to take turns and to consider the needs of others. Children constantly display acts of support, encouragement and kindness as they play. For example, they follow the strong role modelling of the childminder as they praise their friends for having good ideas. With the support of the childminder, children gain the confidence, independence and practical skills they need to prepare them for moving on in their education.

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need to do better?

n The childminder works closely with any assistants that she employs. She provides the support and information they need to fully understand their roles and responsibilities. This creates a very harmonious and efficient environment where children's individual personalities and learning needs are fully recognised and prioritised. The childminder also uses her thorough understanding of child development to anticipate children's needs and plans accordingly. For example, she recognises the impact it may have on children to go from being the youngest to the oldest in the group when their friends leave for school. This forethought enables the childminder to support all children's emotional well- being. n Overall, the childminder implements a broad and ambitious curriculum that closely reflects what children need to learn next. Children routinely take part in activities that cover all areas of learning, both inside and in the outdoor areas.

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need to do better?

However, the support for expressive art and design is slightly less well thought out. Children receive extremely good support to develop their imagination and take part in wonderfully elaborate role-play games. While children enjoy experiences such as junk modelling, using chalks and painting, art and craft activities often link to themes and topics. Children do not consistently have the same high-quality opportunities to express their own ideas creatively as they do for all other areas of learning.

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need to do better?

15 May 2025 n The arrangements to promote children's understanding of the world are a key strength. The childminder is particularly effective at supporting children to learn about the natural world through first-hand experiences. She has two rabbits that spend time running freely in an enclosed section of the garden. Children take part in feeding the pets and interact with them carefully. The childminder also provides caterpillars to link in with a focus on the lifecycle of butterflies. The skilful teaching children receive fully ignites their interest. They use knowledge that is gained over time to make educated suggestions, such as putting the caterpillars in a warm area. n The childminder focuses her curriculum well on supporting children to develop in the prime areas of learning. In addition to supporting children's social and emotional development, she very successfully promotes their language. Children

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need to do better?

become extremely confident and expressive communicators. They also enjoy a lot of active play. For example, under the childminder's guidance, children learn to ask electronic devices to play their favourite songs. They dance energetically, moving with control and coordination. n The childminder has effective arrangements to work with other relevant professionals to support individual children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She maintains positive relationships with parents and involves them fully in their child's learning and development, as well as initiatives such as healthy eating. Parents feedback very positively about the service their children receive.

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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 enhance the support for children to explore their ideas and express themselves through creative art and design.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY397423 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10380508 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 6 Date of previous inspection 12 June 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2009 and lives in Ashford in Kent. She operates all year round, from 8am to 4pm, Monday to Thursday. The childminder provides funded early education for children aged from nine months up to four years. She employs an assistant.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector all area of the premises and explained her aims for children's learning. n The inspector observed the childminder and her assistant interacting with children during a range of activities inside and outdoors. n The inspector spoke with children and read the written feedback provided by parents. n A range of relevant documentation was viewed.

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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.

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Inspection activities

15 May 2025 15 May 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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