Childminder in Wokingham

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 are happy and relaxed in the childminder's care. They separate from parents with relative ease, arriving keen to explore the inviting playroom. The childminder has worked hard to ensure that the environment is safe, warm, and engaging. She gets to know all the children exceptionally well and is committed to planning activities that suit the children's interests. For example, she offers real versions of telephones and keyboards to enhance children's role-playing activities. Children benefit from this attention to detail, remain engaged in their learning and play for prolonged periods of time.

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The provision is good

The childminder has a very good understanding of how children learn. She plans activities that build on children's current knowledge and skills, which helps to promote good progress. For instance, she provides varying, appropriately-sized mark-making tools to cater for different stages of grip control and development.

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The provision is good

Children behave well. They are clear of the childminder's expectations and treat each other and resources with care and respect. The childminder demonstrates patience and consistently acts as a positive role model for the children in her care. She frequently uses praise to effectively encourage good behaviour choices. For instance, when children freely offer to share toys, she enthusiastically says "well done," and points out that this is "so very kind and caring". Children are learning to show care and empathy for others.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is attentive in meeting the individual needs of all children in her care. She carefully organises her setting and plans and adapts activities to prepare children for next developmental milestones. For instance, she aims for older children to gain an understanding of the world around them when planting seeds, while younger children are focused on developing hand-to-eye coordination skills when filling pots with soil. n The childminder is effective in promoting children's understanding of similarities and differences of people within and beyond their own experiences. Her curriculum explores a wide variety of global and cultural celebrations throughout the year. The childminder ensures that the resources she offers represent modern Britain. For instance, her toys and resources represent a variety of races and cultures, and she offers stories that include different family types, such as

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need to do better?

single-parent families and same-sex parents. n The childminder has clear aims for what she would like children to learn. She makes links between the different areas of learning in her well-sequenced curriculum. For example, she reads stories linked to understanding the world activities planned for later in the day, and adds counting and sorting into snack

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need to do better?

20 February 2023 time. Children are making links in their learning, which helps to support good progress across the curriculum. n Children are encouraged to try new things and to have a go at more challenging activities. However, at times, the childminder does not provide children with regular opportunities to freely explore uninterrupted. This reduces the number of opportunities for children to develop their own sense of enquiry. Consequently, children's problem-solving skills and resilience are not always being fully promoted. n The childminder supports language development effectively. She regularly introduces and explains new vocabulary to the children. She skilfully asks children questions to assess their knowledge and understanding. For example, when out for a walk, she asks the children why there are big tubs of water in the duck and goat area, and what they could be used for. Children's abilities are

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need to do better?

assessed effectively. n Children's health is promoted well. Children know to wash their hands before eating and are learning to make healthy food choices. They are also provided with a wealth of experiences to be physically active. In the garden children enjoy the climbing apparatus, crates and planks, and fine motor activities, such as playing with giant pipettes and water. Physical development is supported well. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents speak very positively about the care that their children receive. They feel well informed and supported, and particularly appreciate the social stories she provides to help children re-settle after breaks or holidays. n The childminder is committed to evaluating her own practice. She reflects on what the children have enjoyed most and what types of activities work well for which children. She actively looks for opportunities to enhance her own provision

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need to do better?

and offer the best quality of care and education that she can.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has a secure knowledge of her safeguarding responsibilities. She is confident in identifying possible signs and symptoms that a child may be at risk. This includes a child being subject to potential neglect or exposure to extreme views. The childminder completes relevant safeguarding training to help keep her knowledge and skills fresh and current. She holds a relevant first-aid qualification and can proficiently deal with minor injuries that may occur.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has robust policies, procedures and risk assessment in place, which help to keep children in her care safe. For instance, she double-locks doors, keeping keys out of children's reach. She ensures that all resources, including home-made garden equipment, are age appropriate and are regularly tested and checked. This helps to minimise the risks of accidents and injuries.

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should:

n enhance opportunities for children to solve problems for themselves to encourage and develop resilient, independent learners.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2610993 Local authority Wokingham Inspection number 10263747 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 6 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2020. She lives in Swallowfield, Berkshire. She operates her service Monday to Wednesday, from 8am until 6pm and on Thursday mornings, term time only.

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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 setting. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the early years setting was organised and how the childminder plans her curriculum for the children. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure these are safe and suitable. n The inspector observed children's play and interactions with one another and the childminder and considered the impact of these on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to children and the childminder at appropriate times during play. n The inspector took account of parent's views which were shared verbally and in writing. n The inspector scrutinised a range of relevant documents.

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Inspection activities

20 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

20 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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