Childminder in West Berkshire

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

The childminder plans exciting experiences which effectively build on children's knowledge. She has very high expectations for children's learning. She teaches children in a fun and inventive way which deeply engages their concentration. The childminder is passionate about children experiencing the awe and wonder of the world. For example, she encourages children to imagine how it feels to be a hibernating hedgehog and investigates life cycles in her pond with them. Children develop a love of nature and extensive knowledge about the world around them. Babies are fascinated as they explore sparkling lights and babble excitedly to their friends and the childminder. This supports excellent communication and early language skills to develop.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder expertly introduces the language of feelings with children as they play. She supports children to look at different faces and compare the expressions to their own in a mirror. Very young children discuss whether they feel cross or happy during activities, effectively identifying their emotions with the childminder. These activities help children to develop extremely high levels of emotional well- being. They feel safe in the childminder's homely, colourful and inspiring environment. Older children demonstrate that they are exceptionally happy in the childminder's care during their favourite activity. They love running up and down a giant mound of mud in a local park. They respond to the childminder's signs which indicate 'stop' and 'go', helping them develop superb coordination skills as they get lots of heart-raising exercise.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is highly experienced and has extensive knowledge of children's individual learning styles. She uses repetition and poetry to encourage children to develop their speaking skills while they learn about hedgehogs. They consistently learn and use many new words. For example, they repeat words such as 'spiky' and 'prickly' as they listen to how the hedgehog rolls in the poem. Children enjoy reading a wide range of books at the setting and on their regular trips to the library. This supports them to develop high levels of understanding and vocabulary for their age. n The childminder provides an exceptional range of highly motivating activities for children. For instance, children jump up and down with excitement as they build a tent to 'hibernate' in. The childminder demonstrates outstanding teaching skills as she introduces the language of mathematics. Young children learn the square is turning into a cube, then solve the problems of how the poles and corner

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need to do better?

pieces fit together as they count and sort them. These opportunities support children to learn many skills to support their future learning. n Behaviour at the setting is exemplary. Children show high levels of consideration

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need to do better?

20 November 2019 towards one another. Older children give cuddles to younger children and anticipate when they need reassurance. Young children share and help others during their imaginary play. They make sure their friends buy enough food and they help them carry it home. The childminder models exceptionally good manners and gives timely reminders to children to say 'please' and 'thank you'. Children respond in a positive manner and have fantastic bonds with the childminder. They regularly enjoy a cuddle and learn their opinions matter as the childminder consults them about everything they do, and what they enjoy. This helps them feel valued and encourages them to take a key role in planning their learning. n The childminder enjoys reading about new and imaginative ideas to plan a rich and varied curriculum for the children. She recently developed her knowledge about introducing inspiring items to provoke thought and discussion with

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need to do better?

children. Following this, she has made adaptations to her outdoor play area. For example, children have old telephones and lots of natural resources which have enhanced their imaginative play in the large mud kitchen. Older children enjoy identifying which items go into pots labelled with each of the letters of the alphabet. This supports them to recognise letters and the sounds they make during a fun and physically active game. n Children thoroughly enjoy learning about people who are similar and different to themselves. For example, they learn about the seven continents and explore different spices from India. The childminder extends these activities by cooking food from different countries with them. This supports children to develop an excellent understanding about the culture and diets of people different from themselves. n Partnerships with parents are exceptional. The childminder regularly updates

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need to do better?

parents about the exciting topics she plans. She shares learning resources, such as through a book lending scheme, to help children continue their learning at home. The childminder regularly feeds back to parents about the outstanding progress their children make with their learning. Parents report they receive termly updates and they love seeing photos of the fun activities their children are doing.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder is exceptional at keeping her safeguarding knowledge up to date. She attends annual training with her local authority. In addition, she has updated her knowledge about identifying those children and families who may be exposed to extreme ideas about right or wrong. She clearly explains a wide range of indicators which may suggest a child is at risk of harm. The childminder acknowledges the importance of meticulous attendance records to monitor children's well-being. She confidently explains local reporting procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child's welfare.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY447858 Local authority West Berkshire Inspection number 10108821 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder Age range of children 1 to 3 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4 Date of previous inspection 10 January 2013

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2012. She lives in Thatcham near Newbury, Berkshire. She operates her service Monday to Thursday, from 7.30am to 5.30pm, all year round. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n Children showed the inspector their favourite books and discussed how much they enjoy their activities. n The inspector discussed with the childminder how she plans her inspiring curriculum. n The inspector assessed the childminder's understanding of how to keep children safe. n Written feedback from parents was taken into account. n Relevant documentation was sampled, including evidence of training and qualifications, accident recording and attendance records.

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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

20 November 2019 20 November 2019 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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