Childminder in West Berkshire

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children show they feel happy, safe and secure in the childminder's care. They are eager to join in with the activities that the childminder provides for them. These activities offer challenge and are well planned, so children gain the skills they need for their future learning. For example, very young children are keen to take part in a painting activity. They demonstrate that they are learning to hold the chunky pen paints more securely and that they can already identify some colours. The childminder proactively reinforces this throughout the activity to build on what these young children already understand. Children enjoy frequent opportunities to learn outdoors. This helps them to explore the natural world around them. For instance, children are curious as they take part in a nature hunt. The childminder shows children the best places to look for creatures, such as under flower pots. Children carefully handle the worms and snails that they find. They learn to use

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The provision is good

magnifying glasses to look more closely.

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The provision is good

The childminder gives children consistent messages to help them confidently understand and independently meet her expectations She warmly encourages them, for example to do up the zips of their coats and to take their boots off when coming back indoors. Children enjoy sociable mealtimes. The childminder encourages polite language and friendly conversations.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has a secure understanding of her curriculum intentions. She offers children a broad variety of learning opportunities. She shows confidence in how she plans activities to support children's individual learning needs. For example, the childminder uses a variety of ways to help young children learn and embed how to identify colours. This includes painting activities, choosing tools and resources of different colours, and helping children notice the changing colours in the environment. For instance, children confidently show they know some colours as they acknowledge that some leaves are turning red. n Young children listen intently to familiar stories. The childminder chooses story and rhyming books that are appropriate for children's ages. Young children show that they know the endings of stories, such as 'The Three Little Pigs' and actively anticipate the endings of rhymes when singing 'The wheels on the bus'.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is a caring role model. She aims to provide high-quality care for children and regularly reviews her practice. She has plans, for instance, to provide activities that help children learn more about oral health. The childminder implements her policies and procedures effectively in order to support children's health, safety and well-being. n The childminder establishes positive partnerships with parents. Overall, strategies to engage parents are good. Parents are positive about the care that

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need to do better?

20 October 2021 their children receive. They state that they receive timely information from the childminder, including photos and videos of what children do. However, as yet, the childminder is not consistently offering parents suggestions and ideas to extend children's learning at home. This means that some opportunities to enhance even further the ways children learn and deepen their knowledge are missed. n The childminder has a secure understanding of how to promote children's independence and confidence. For example, the childminder waits until very young children can climb the steps of the smaller slide before encouraging them to tackle the higher one. The childminder offers reassurance to young children. She stands close by until children demonstrate they feel safe prior to sliding down. Children in return show they feel proud of their achievements. n The childminder teaches children the skills that they need to be able to manage

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need to do better?

their own hygiene. For instance, children show they can wipe their nose and dispose of the tissue then sanitise their hands. n Children benefit from regular opportunities to be outdoors. They develop their coordination and smaller muscles through physical play, including mark-making opportunities in the sand using sticks. Inquisitive young children show curiosity about the marks they make. n Children behave very well. The childminder helps to embed children's understanding of sharing and taking turns. She takes children on outings so they can socialise with other children. Children learn to be resilient. For instance, as a young child counts conkers they keep trying and, with encouragement from the childminder, can count further.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a good knowledge of all aspects of safeguarding. She can identify the signs and symptoms that may indicate that a child is at risk of harm, and knows what to do if an allegation is made against her. The childminder regularly updates her safeguarding training and research to ensure that her knowledge of legislation is up to date. The childminder risks assesses her home environment in order to help her minimise any risks to children. This includes secure risk assessments for the times when she has visitors in her home.

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should:

n strengthen partnerships and provide further support for parents to help their children's development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2524428 Local authority West Berkshire Inspection number 10208204 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 Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2019. She lives in Thatcham, Berkshire. The childminder works from Mondays to Thursdays from 7.30am to 6pm, all year round. The childminder has a relevant childcare qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector and childminder completed a learning walk. The childminder discussed her intentions for children's learning. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, both indoors and outdoors. She completed a joint observation with the childminder. n The childminder spoke with the inspector about how she is keeping children safe during a time when some minor renovations are taking place in her home. n Discussions took place to assess the childminder's knowledge and understanding of safeguarding matters.

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Inspection activities

20 October 2021 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 October 2021 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

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

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