Childminder 124336

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children flourish in the care of the highly competent childminder. The childminder excels in creating a family-like environment where children feel completely comfortable and at home.

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The provision is outstanding

Children benefit from a carefully designed curriculum that is highly ambitious for all children and is precisely tailored to their needs and next steps. It prepares them excellently for the next stage of their education. Children learn perseverance as they are challenged by activities that test their abilities. As a result, all children make strong progress from their starting points and become motivated learners.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is exemplary. The childminder teaches children to be kind and helpful to each other. For example, older children independently support younger peers with everyday routines such as handwashing, demonstrating care, patience and perseverance. This supports children to develop advanced social skills.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder's practice is highly inclusive and child-centred. She pays close and careful attention to each child's development, identifying any gaps in learning or progress at the earliest stage. When concerns arise, she responds swiftly and works highly effectively with parents and other professionals to ensure children receive the support they need. As a result, children make strong progress and gaps in learning are rapidly closed.

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need to do better?

n Children receive an outstanding quality of education. The childminder's curriculum is excellently sequenced. It consistently builds on what children already know in a highly cohesive way. For example, she plans outings and designs activities that are thoughtfully centred around the theme of a book they are currently reading. All children demonstrate very high levels of engagement and concentration for impressive periods of time. This fosters a love of books and reading while also encouraging children to become curious, motivated and engaged learners. n The childminder's language-rich environment provides highly effective support for children's communication and language development. This is clearly seen in children's elaborate and spontaneous conversations. For instance, during play, children engage in extended discussions about social norms. They show a deep understanding of their world. This fosters their development into highly

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need to do better?

confident and articulate communicators. n The childminder demonstrates an exceptional understanding of each child's unique background and circumstances. She thoughtfully plans rich and meaningful experiences that actively celebrate children's cultural heritage. As a

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need to do better?

24 September 2025 result, children develop a deep sense of identity and belonging. They show high levels of respect and curiosity about others, recognising and valuing both differences and similarities. This prepares them exceptionally well for life in modern Britain. n Children develop excellent social skills in the setting. They show kindness towards one another and support each other in making thoughtful decisions, such as reminding a friend to wait before using the slide because it has not been dried yet. Older children actively include younger ones in their play and help them learn how to engage with others. These strong social interactions help prepare children exceptionally well for life beyond the setting. n The childminder provides children with rich and meaningful opportunities to explore the world beyond their immediate environment. For example, children confidently recall visits to a pebble beach and a cave in a nearby park,

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need to do better?

demonstrating curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. These carefully planned experiences help children develop a strong sense of the world around them and their place within it. n The childminder builds highly effective partnerships with parents, engaging them in meaningful dialogue about their children's development. She actively seeks information about what children are learning and experiencing at home, while also keeping parents well informed about their progress and activities in her setting. Additionally, she offers suggestions on how parents can extend their children's learning at home. This creates a highly cohesive and consistent approach to supporting each child's development. n The childminder is highly reflective in her practice. She continuously seeks out training and development opportunities to improve children's experiences and to prepare them for the next stage in their education. When children attend other

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need to do better?

settings, the childminder works very closely with them to ensure children receive a cohesive approach to their learning.

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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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Setting details

Unique reference number 124336 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10408087 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 6 Number of children on roll 4 Date of previous inspection 24 January 2020

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1998 and lives in Dunton Green near Sevenoaks, Kent. She provides care from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, all year. She receives funding to provide early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises her early years provision, including the aims and rationale for the early years foundation stage curriculum. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while with the childminder. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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Inspection activities

24 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.

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Inspection activities

24 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.

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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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