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 Good

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The provision is good

Children demonstrate that they enjoy their time with the childminder and her assistant. Children have warm bonds with both adults. They are happy and enjoy their play. For example, children show confidence and awareness of real-life situations as they take part in imaginary experiences at the role play kitchen. They serve tea and use the cash register to take money and give change. Children are content to add their own ideas, such as seating a dinosaur at the table and serving it tea too.

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The provision is good

Children show they feel safe and emotionally secure as they play in the large, purpose-built cabin the childminder provides for her setting. They benefit from a range of learning opportunities planned for them and are encouraged to make individual choices about what they would like to do. Children access the enclosed garden spaces and are keen to take part in a broad range of outdoor activities. They behave very well at all times. Children show respect for each other and their learning environment. They have a clear understanding of the routines of the day.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is keen to continually improve her practice. She is mindful to help ensure her assistant is provided with training and support to develop and broaden her skills. This includes training to enhance teaching practice and understanding of the early years foundation stage areas of learning. Policies, procedures and risk assessments are adhered to in order to promote children's health, safety and well-being. n Overall, the childminder implements her curriculum effectively. She plans for children's learning by taking into account their current interests alongside themes, festivals and events. However, sometimes the childminder is not always precise about what she wants children to learn. For instance, this was evident during a sensory play activity planned to build on what children had learned from a visit to a farm. Children enjoyed taking part, and the activity was adapted well for the different ages of children. However, opportunities for children to

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need to do better?

learn more about the names of animals, the noises they make and their habitats were missed. n Children play happily outdoors. They patiently wait for their turn on the swing, counting to 10 as their friends swing backwards and forwards. Children demonstrate physical agility as they confidently ride around on balance bicycles and scooters. All children have fun chasing bubbles in the air. The childminder is successful in helping children to learn letters of their name and some simple shapes during chalking games. Children show readiness for the next stages of their learning. n The childminder provides a broad selection of books which are easily accessible

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need to do better?

10 November 2022 to children. Some children select books to look at independently. They show interest in these and treat books with care. The childminder regularly offers singing and story time. However, she is not always confident in her ability to extend children's language and in how they pronounce sounds and learn new words. For example, she misses ways to enhance how children hear rhyming verse and how they talk about what they understand from a story. n The childminder is consistent in the ways she promotes children's behaviour. As a consequence, children behave exceptionally well. They understand routines, such as taking off their shoes and coats after playing outdoors. Children demonstrate a positive attitude to their learning and are confident to tell the childminder what they would like to do next. n The childminder is very good at helping children to build confidence and independence. Children understand self-care routines. They show resilience

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need to do better?

when putting on their shoes and coats. Children are very willing to help prepare snacks and fruits for lunchtime. Babies sleep according to their needs and wake refreshed and happy. All children have a secure attachment to the childminder and her assistant. n The childminder is proactive in how she works with others who share the care of children attending. This helps to complement the learning children receive elsewhere. Partnerships with parents are positive. The childminder offers help and guidance for home learning, particularly if minor gaps are identified, to help ensure children catch up. Parents state that they find the childminder friendly and caring and recommend her highly.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder and her assistant demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of how to protect children in their care. For example, they know what to do should a child make a disclosure to them. They understand their responsibilities to ensure safety with respect to social media and the sharing of photos and information about children. The childminder understands her responsibilities to work in partnership with external agencies. She knows the requirements for working with an assistant. The childminder is aware of the procedure to follow if an allegation is made about her or her assistant.

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should:

n develop more consistency when planning the curriculum to build on what children already know and understand n extend the ways children gain from experiences when listening to stories and rhymes to enhance their developing language even further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY475907 Local authority West Berkshire Inspection number 10228893 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 22 Date of previous inspection 12 January 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2014. She lives in Thatcham, Berkshire. The childminder works with an assistant. They work from 8am to 5.30pm Monday to Thursday, and from 8am to 5pm on Friday, for most weeks of the year. The childminder has a childcare qualification at level 3. The childminder receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two and three years.

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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 childminder and has taken this into account in the evaluation of the childminder. n A learning walk was completed. The childminder explained how she plans her curriculum and how she works in partnership with parents and others sharing the care of children. n The childminder completed a joint observation with the inspector. They discussed how the childminder supports her assistant to develop her skills and knowledge. n The inspector spoke to the childminder and her assistant to assess their understanding of all aspects of safeguarding. n Documentation, including feedback from parents, was sampled during the inspection.

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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

10 November 2022 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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