Unique Support Early Years Agency

Overall inspection judgement Effective

The quality of the agency’s services Effective

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Overall inspection judgement Effective

The impact of the agency’s services on the quality of the education and care provided by its childminders Effective

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Summary findings

The agency is led by two directors, who share a clear, joint vision for the agency and work well together. Both directors are also registered providers of childcare. The agency offers a personalised service, to support the small number of registered providers it currently holds. Providers benefit from regular contact, through telephone calls, messages and social media group chats, where leaders respond promptly to requests and enable providers to share their skills and experience with each other.

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Summary findings

Leaders effectively assess the skills and knowledge of childcare providers that register with them, to ensure their compliance with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). They proactively identify where improvement is required. They use these insights, alongside any emerging trends and legislative updates, to inform and develop targeted training initiatives to support ongoing learning and drive improved care for children. They competently draw on publicly available information, such as serious case reviews, to strengthen providers’ understanding of key-practice issues. 8 to 10 July 2025 The agency has clear systems in place to monitor the quality of registered provisions and the impact on children, although not all information is clearly recorded. All childcare providers receive the support they need, but the agency has not yet perfected their recording systems around these matters to provide a consistent

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Summary findings

Safeguarding arrangements are effective. The agency checks that all registered providers complete safeguarding training prior to registration. This includes training provided by the local authority, enabling providers to be familiar with and understand local procedures and how to contact other agencies if there is a need. Leaders test provider knowledge, ensuring they have a secure understanding of their role in the reporting procedures where concerns may be held. They respond promptly where providers need support in managing any concerns. They actively monitor referrals that have been made to the local authority to ensure swift action is taken to keep children safe.

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Summary findings

The knowledgeable leaders fully understand the agency’s role as a regulator. Clear policies and procedures guide them through enforcement processes and enable their registered providers to understand what would happen if the agency had to take any type of enforcement action. The good quality policies and procedures provide clear guidance for childcare providers. They serve as a foundation for developing individual policies that align closely with the requirements of the EYFS.

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Summary findings

There are robust registration procedures in place to assess the suitability of those registered with the agency. Leaders complete a full range of detailed checks, to assure themselves that applicants are suitable to work with children. They fully explore any information that comes to light from the checks undertaken with the individuals wishing to register with them. They use effective questioning to enable applicants to comprehensively demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the requirements for registration. This enables the agency to be fully informed before making any decisions to register or refuse registration.

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Summary findings

There are good links with other agencies, including the local authority, to support good practice. For example, the agency has established links with the Stronger Practice Hub, to target and improve practice for registered providers and other interested childminders in the area.

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Recommendations

◼ refine internal systems for recording and monitoring contact with registered providers, to promote a more cohesive and consistent approach

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Recommendations

◼ extend opportunities for childcare providers to take part in a broader range of activities, to help develop their practice further 8 to 10 July 2025 ◼ extend further the offer available for registered providers who operate out of the local area, to ensure there is a consistent level of service for all providers registered with the agency.

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agency

◼ Leaders are highly motivated and enthusiastic. Their main aim is to provide tailored support and advice to providers registered with them, using their well- established skills and knowledge. The agency is in its infancy, but leaders have already identified plans to develop their service, including extending their training and support offer.

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agency

◼ The agency leaders have a combined wealth of experience and qualifications in supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Childcare providers who want to develop their learning to support children with SEND, are directed to targeted training courses. At the point of registration, leaders ensure childcare providers have appropriate policies and procedures in place to support their practice in this area of work. They carefully review and check how providers intend to assist children in their care and support parents, when for example, they have concerns about a child’s development, enabling appropriate support to be sought where necessary.

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agency

◼ Leaders strategically review and evaluate their service and have identified several strategies to adapt operational procedures as the agency grows. They seek provider feedback and closely monitor the impact of the service they offer. For example, training sessions are recorded for those unable to attend. Targeted support calls are made afterwards to confirm provider understanding and to offer additional guidance where needed.

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agency

◼ The agency has robust recruitment procedures. Records sampled during the inspection show they complete all the necessary suitability checks for adults working with children, and those who live on the premises where children are cared for. This includes health, local authority checks and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks. They thoroughly assess the information gained and conduct follow up visits if necessary to discuss or clarify any information with applicants directly. Leaders carefully evaluate the information provided to make any suitability decisions. Where applicants are not considered suitable, the agency refuse registration. Where necessary, they prioritise visits to check the provision is of good quality.

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agency

◼ Both directors evaluate each other’s practice and show awareness of potential conflicts. They take appropriate steps to mitigate risks. They continue to update their professional development. For instance, they have recently completed a mentoring programme through the Department for Education, from both the 8 to 10 July 2025 mentor and mentee perspective. This has enabled them to be more effective in their role when mentoring childcare providers.

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agency

◼ There are good partnerships with other agencies, including local authorities. For instance, the agency organises training with the Stronger Practice Hubs. The agency participates in network groups with their regulator, contributing to the development of policies and procedures governing childminder agencies. These strong partnerships enhance the quality and consistency of support available to providers. By collaborating with sector-wide discussions, the agency ensures its practices are informed by current developments, ultimately promoting improved outcomes for children and families it works with.

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agency

◼ Systems for assessing the quality of the childcare provision are in their infancy. However, leaders promptly identify where providers need further support, clarity or training in certain areas of practice. This is completed through discussions on social media and the regular contact they have with their registered providers.

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agency

◼ Parents are well informed about the agency’s activities. A monthly newsletter shares ideas on how to support different aspects of children’s development, including ‘supporting children’s mental health’. Parents are asked to share any concerns or compliments they may hold with the agency so that these can be addressed swiftly. Although this is a new initiative, the agency has already received some positive comments, detailing how happy parents are with the care their children receive and how supportive they find individual childminders. Inspectors made contact with some parents during the inspection. Parents confirmed that they find the care provided by their childminder to be inclusive and nurturing.

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The quality of the agency’s services

◼ The agency has high expectations of its providers to complete mandatory training prior to registration, to ensure they have a secure knowledge and understanding of key skills. This includes knowing how to identify and recognise when a child may be at risk of harm and the procedures to follow. The agency has begun to offer accessible online training so that their childminders can attend. This covers a range of topics, including updates to changes in the EYFS and safer sleeping.

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The quality of the agency’s services

◼ Leaders have a secure understanding of their provider’s skills and knowledge. They know where some providers need further support in growing their confidence and sensitively connect those with more experience to role model and share their skills. Where a provider needs more targeted support, leaders identify an action plan of what needs to happen next to enable them to monitor practice and knowledge.

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The quality of the agency’s services

◼ Parents confirm they are extremely happy with the care and learning provided through the agency. The childminders share how they are registered at their initial 8 to 10 July 2025 meeting and provide details of the agency with the parents as part of the information given during the induction period.

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The quality of the agency’s services

◼ The quality of training delivered to providers is good. During the inspection, inspectors viewed a recorded training session covering the pending changes to the EYFS. Leaders used their skills and expertise to explain and demonstrate the reason for, and the importance of those changes. They enabled providers to gain a deep understanding of the issues by referring to serious case reviews when discussing practice, which provide meaningful examples that help to cement learning about the context behind legislation. Good levels of participation and opportunities for providers to ask questions clarify information further.

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The quality of the agency’s services

◼ Leaders show a good awareness of each of their providers and carry out regular calls and monitoring visits. Some variation in how these interactions are recorded means that, on occasion, providers are not always fully clear about the purpose of the contact, any agreed actions or associated timescales for completion. This can sometimes make it a little more challenging for the agency to have a complete overview, but leaders remain committed to supporting providers effectively.

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The quality of the agency’s services

◼ Agency leaders act promptly in response to providers’ requests to promote positive change for children. For instance, where childminders may struggle with a particular aspect of practice, such as behaviour regulation, the agency signposts them to relevant training which provides helpful strategies. This approach empowers providers to provide more tailored support for children.

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The quality of the agency’s services

◼ The agency currently offers a small range of activities for its providers, for instance, they have monthly training meetings, daily chats on social media, bespoke training and support and advice in the form of calls and visits. Some providers have access to a resource lending library, although this is not yet available to all registered provision.

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provided by its childminders

◼ Childcare providers who were visited during the inspection show that they offer good quality care and education. They speak highly of the support they receive and the positive impact this has on their practice. Childcare providers commend the training and learning opportunities the agency provides as relevant and well- paced and value the tailored business support they receive. Since joining the agency childcare providers have enhanced their practice and knowledge through advice, training courses, peer support and collaboration. For example, targeted training on supporting challenging behaviour and practising different strategies has enabled providers to extend their skills and become more confident in their approach.

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provided by its childminders

◼ Childcare providers demonstrate a secure understanding of the policies and procedures in place to keep children safe and know who to contact if they have 8 to 10 July 2025 any concerns about children’s safety, or well-being. They are clear about who the designated safeguarding lead is within the agency and understand the role. Staff at the childcare provisions visited were observed to supervise children well and motivate children’s learning.

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provided by its childminders

◼ Childcare providers unanimously confirm through discussions and inspection surveys that the contact they receive is highly beneficial. They state that they receive prompt responses to any queries. They particularly like the opportunities they have, to share information and learn from one another, which supports their practice and improves outcomes for children. Childminders comment that recent information sharing by the agency has improved their knowledge and understanding of the systems in place for funding that families may be entitled to. This builds their confidence and enables them to support parents as necessary.

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provided by its childminders

◼ Childcare providers are keen and enthusiastic and ensure children enjoy good quality experiences and benefit from a predictable routine that supports their emotional well-being successfully. Children were observed to be motivated learners. Staff are proactive in supporting children who show a delay in their development. Timely advice and signposting from the agency ensure that providers act to support the child and the family, including working in successful partnership with other agencies, such as the health visitor. 8 to 10 July 2025

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Childminder Agency details

Unique reference number CA000067 Local authority Medway Type of provision Childminder Agency Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register

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Information about this childminding agency

Unique Support Early Years Agency registered as a childminder agency in 2024. The agency’s operational office is in Medway. The agency has 17 childminders and one childcare on domestic premises, most of which are located in the Kent area, while others are located in Gloucester, Cheltenham, Hampshire and Stansted. The agency provides training, mentoring and support for its registered providers and provides information to parents.

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Information about the inspection

The inspection team consisted of two Early years senior officers and seven Early years regulatory inspectors. To assess the effectiveness of the agency, the inspection team held in depth discussions with the nominated individual and director. Inspection activities also included reviewing a recorded training session, and observation of a support call. The team visited or held discussions with a number of registered childminders to gain their views and experiences of the agency. They also spoke with parents who use the registered provision. The team reviewed a range of documents including the agency’s statement of purpose, documents relating to the suitability of childcare providers and took into account survey responses.

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Information about the inspection

This was the agency’s first inspection and was carried out under the Childcare Act 2006, as amended by the Children and Families Act 2014. 8 to 10 July 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Information about the inspection

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Information about the inspection

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Information about the inspection

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Information about the inspection

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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