Summary
What we read, and from where
Click a reading to see it highlighted in the report.
- Inspection date verified
17 Sept 2025
- Inspectors verified
Kelly Southern
- Behaviour and attitudes verified
Good
- Leadership and management verified
Good
- Overall effectiveness verified
Good
- Personal development verified
Good
- Previous overall verified
Good
- Quality of education verified
Good
- Name on report verified
Childminder report
- URN verified
EY461084
Deep dive
What this report says
In plain English
Join free to get a short, plain-English summary of any report.
Grade profile
Hollow rings show the previous inspection, 2019.
- OverallGood
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Leadership and managementGood
- Personal developmentGood
- Quality of educationGood
79% of comparable inspections in the last three years were graded Good (17,905 inspections).
Tone of the report
How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.
In line with other reports of this type graded Good.
Markers show where typical reports of each grade sit.
How the report reads, start to finish
Every paragraph in order, sized by length. Tap one to see it on the page.
Strengths
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
- The childminder has built a strong local network and liaises very well with families and other settings. p.2
- Children respond quickly to requests, play cooperatively, and older children act as excellent role models. p.2
- Children are happy and settled in the care of the nurturing childminder and her assistants, who ensure that all children feel valued and respected. p.2
- For example, her curriculum aim is for children to leave with effective communication skills, to be able to manage their emotions and behaviours, and have positive attitudes to learning new skills and embedding what they already know. p.2
- At every moment, she narrates children's play, skilfully creating the conditions for effective back and forth conversation. p.2
Concerns
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
No strong criticism found.
Next steps
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
What the report dwells on
Topics by how often they come up, coloured by how they are described. Open one for an example.
Reading & phonics3
“recite favourite books.” p.2
Anatomy of the report
How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.
- Pages
- 6
- Words of findings
- 679
- about usual (typical 764)
- Reading level
- Hard
- Flesch 43, typical 52
- Average sentence
- 15 words
- Next steps
- 1
- typical 2
- Hedged sentences
- 2%
- “some”, “not always”, “most”…
Where the words go
Full report text
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
p.1
The provision is good
Children are happy and settled in the care of the nurturing childminder and her assistants, who ensure that all children feel valued and respected. As a result, children happily engage in the opportunities the childminder provides with high levels of well-being. She takes time to gather information from parents and carers about their children, then uses this information effectively to meet children's individual needs from the very beginning.
p.2
The provision is good
The childminder plans an inspiring curriculum and experiences based on children's interests and their individual next steps in learning. For example, her curriculum aim is for children to leave with effective communication skills, to be able to manage their emotions and behaviours, and have positive attitudes to learning new skills and embedding what they already know. All children are making good levels of progress from their starting points.
p.2
The provision is good
The supportive childminder offers children an abundance of praise and encouragement. She works collaboratively with local schools to understand their behaviour strategies and mirrors these. As a result, children understand what the childminder expects of their behaviour which promotes a calm and respectful atmosphere. Children respond quickly to requests, play cooperatively, and older children act as excellent role models.
p.2
need to do better?
n The childminder shows good leadership abilities. She is consistently dedicated to making sure that every child reaches their potential. She works effectively with her assistants, offering them continuous training and support. This approach positively influences the children's outcomes and enhances their overall well- being. n The childminder has a clear understanding of what she wants children to learn. However, she should build on the already good teaching in place to further extend children's learning. For example, during free play activities older children are not always suitability challenged beyond what they already know and can do. Despite this, all children are making good progress in their learning and development. n The childminder places a strong focus on communication and language. At every moment, she narrates children's play, skilfully creating the conditions for effective back and forth conversation. For example, children can confidently
p.2
need to do better?
recite favourite books. The childminder then extends this by providing opportunities for children to recall the story in their own words using the puppet theatre. This supports children in learning and using new vocabulary in their play.
p.2
need to do better?
17 September 2025 n Children are tremendously independent, with opportunities being provided to dress themselves, select their own snack and regularly choose activities and experiences. This empowers children to make decisions, developing their self- esteem and self-worth. Additionally, children find it easy to fall asleep as their home routines are followed and respected providing them with consistency. n The childminder has built a strong local network and liaises very well with families and other settings. For instance, she knows the local primary schools, and shares vital information to fully support children's transitions. This allows children to approach changes confidently and feel secure. n The childminder has developed strong, meaningful partnerships with parents. The childminder is highly regarded and is seen as an 'extension of the family'. This creates trusting and secure relationships. Furthermore, she shares children's
p.2
need to do better?
next steps and ideas to further support learning at home. Families often return with siblings. n The childminder understands what she needs to do to seek support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She will discuss any concerns about children with their parents and understands the role of the local authority. She appreciates the importance of getting support in place quickly to ensure that children can bridge gaps in their development. n The childminder teaches children meaningful life skills. For example, she speaks to them about why they need to keep their teeth and gums healthy by reading stories about oral hygiene. Children enjoy practising toothbrushing skills and gain a good awareness in this area. Furthermore, she supports children's understanding of aspects such as, how to stay safe online and to speak up when something is upsetting them or making them feel uncomfortable.
p.3
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
p.3
Safeguarding
There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.
p.3
should:
n continue to build on the already good teaching so that older children are appropriately challenged.
p.3
Setting details
Unique reference number EY461084 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10394808 Type of provision Childminder
p.4
Registers
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder
p.4
inspection
Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 4 Date of previous inspection 26 September 2019
p.4
Information about this early years setting
The childminder registered in 2013. She lives in Greenhithe, Kent. The childminder works with three assistants at various times. The childminding service is open Monday to Friday term time only from 8:45am to 3:15pm. The childminder has early years professional status, a relevant qualification at level 6. She receives funding to provide free early education for eligible children.
p.4
Inspection activities
n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure they are safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their curriculum. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to assistants at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.
p.4
Inspection activities
17 September 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.
p.4
Inspection activities
17 September 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.
p.5
Inspection activities
If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .
p.6
Inspection activities
You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk
p.6
Inspection activities
Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .
p.6
Inspection activities
T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted
p.6
Discuss this inspection
Members compare notes on inspectors and inspections here. Join free to read and post.
Join the discussion