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 are happy and enjoy exploring the activities on offer in the childminder's setting. They eagerly choose books and giggle with glee as they share them with friends. Children have close bonds with the childminder and go to her for comfort when they need it. For example, she gently holds their hands and reassures them as they meet visitors. The childminder constantly tells children she is 'proud of them' for everything they do. Consequently, children feel safe and secure.

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The provision is good

The childminder has high expectations of children's behaviour. She expertly interweaves rules into children's play. For instance, the childminder helps children to share with others by telling them that they are 'very kind'. In addition, she constantly repeats phrases such as 'my turn, your turn', and children happily follow this. They learn the skills they need to play collaboratively.

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The provision is good

Children can articulate what they know and can do with ease. The childminder skilfully supports children to learn new words in play. Children enjoy repeating familiar words back to her, such as 'tractor' and 'truck'. They are learning a wide vocabulary and have good communication and language skills.

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need to do better?

n The childminder plans a sequenced curriculum that focuses on children's interests. She uses observations of children to understand their next steps in development. As a result, the childminder adapts her teaching to meet the children's individual needs. For example, she recognises that some children are at the stage of word repetition, while other children are eager to match the animals they see. As a result, children make good progress towards their next steps in development. n Overall, the childminder promotes children's confidence and resilience in every activity. She teaches children to take appropriate risks outdoors. For instance, children smile with glee as they attempt an obstacle course. Some children are very confident and enjoy independently navigating tunnels and uneven surfaces. However, the childminder does not offer consistent opportunities to support children's large-muscle skills indoors as well as outside. As a result, some

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need to do better?

children do not have the physical skills they need for future learning. n The childminder recognises the importance of children learning to be independent. For instance, children confidently take off their shoes and socks and giggle as they put them back on. However, current strategies to support children to learn how to follow good hygiene practices are not effective. Furthermore, the childminder does not consistently support children to develop their understanding of good hygiene routines, such as learning how to wipe their own noses. Generally, she wipes children's noses for them. This means children

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need to do better?

7 February 2023 do not learn the importance of effective hygiene to help promote their good health. n The childminder offers plenty of opportunities for children to learn mathematical concepts. For example, children excitedly count bricks with the childminder and celebrate when they count up to eight. Children use their previous learning in counting to help them to reach their potential. n Children have positive attitudes to play and learning. They demonstrate this well when they eagerly create marks with paint sticks. This helps children to be curious and explore all areas of development. For instance, they enjoy regularly sharing books and excitedly pointing to pictures. As a result, children have good early literacy skills. n The childminder is passionate about her professional development. She attends regular training to improve her practice over time. For instance, recent training has improved her knowledge of how to promote inclusion for fathers within the

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need to do better?

early years. The childminder used this information to plan a stay-and-play session for fathers at her setting. This has improved some fathers' confidence and built closer bonds with them. This helps support children's development and continuity of care. n The childminder builds positive relationships with parents. She understands the importance of working closely with them. This supports children to reach their next step in learning. Parents explain that they appreciate the childminder's focus on teaching children communication and language skills. They say that as a result of this, their children have a wide vocabulary. Parents adore the feeling of knowing that their children are safe and say that they happily wave goodbye to them every morning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder attends regular training to keep her safeguarding knowledge up to date. She knows where to report her concerns if a child is at risk of harm, such as if she witnesses bruises on an immobile baby. She also knows where to report any allegation made about her practice. She carries out robust risk assessments for all outings. For instance, she takes an emergency phone and ensures she has knowledge of any water or animals in the area. This minimises the risk to children.

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should:

n continue to extend opportunities for children to be physically active in play indoors as well as outside, to ensure they have the physical skills they need for future learning n further promote children's independence by developing their understanding of

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY361146 Local authority West Berkshire Inspection number 10235136 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 9 Date of previous inspection 24 March 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2007. She childminds from an address in Hungerford, Berkshire. She works with two other childminders and their assistants. The childminder holds a childcare qualification at level 3. The childminder is registered to receive funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four 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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The childminder and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the childminder's intentions for children's learning. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. 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 inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and children. n Parents provided written feedback and shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure they are safe and suitable.

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Inspection activities

7 February 2023 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

7 February 2023 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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