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 arrive eager to join their friends in the childminder's home. The childminder chats with parents warmly, and children greet the childminder with big smiles and outstretched arms. Those who are unsettled receive cuddles from the childminder and gentle persuasion to engage in activities. This helps them to feel secure and boosts their emotional well-being.

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The provision is good

The childminder provides a wide range of resources from which children confidently choose their play. She ensures that there are appropriate resources for each child, such as providing simple puzzles for the youngest children and more complicated puzzles for the older ones. The childminder is very responsive when children play with her, which extends their play. For example, when children bring her play food, she expresses delight and requests more. This motivates children to continue the game and increases their involvement.

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The provision is good

The childminder acknowledges children's achievements with high-fives and verbal praise, which makes the children beam with pride. Children have positive attitudes to learning. They listen and respond to the childminder's instructions. For instance, children play a card-matching game, helping each other to find the pictures requested by the childminder. This develops their observational and social skills.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has high expectations for children's behaviour. Children play together well, independently taking turns pressing the buttons on technical toys, laughing at the noises made. They respond quickly to the childminder's requests to tidy up their toys, working together with her to get the playroom ready for lunch. n Children are confident to express themselves through dance and song. They use their bodies freely, thoroughly enjoying a 'wiggle and jiggle'. Older children sing rhymes and songs on their own, and their friends listen and join in with the actions. The childminder further supports children's physical development as they 'stretch, stretch' up high with their arms and wide with their legs. They are developing their fine motor skills as they persevere to join straws with connectors and carefully line up dominoes on the floor. n The childminder consistently delivers her intended learning during the day. For

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need to do better?

example, she continually refers children to the colours and shapes of objects they are playing with, and they respond by bringing and naming shaped objects. Children count spontaneously and use their fingers to indicate their age on their forthcoming birthday. The childminder follows the children's lead in their play. This allows children to fully explore their ideas with the childminder's support. However, at times, when children lose concentration in the task, such as during

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need to do better?

23 June 2023 group times, the childminder is not effective in re-engaging them. This distracts other children and has an impact on the quality of the teaching at these times. n Children are learning about good hygiene through regular handwashing and keeping their noses clean. She encourages children to eat 'healthy fruit and vegetables' successfully, often involving children in the purchase of the items from the local supermarket. Young children recognise when they are tired and settle themselves to sleep on their own. This helps them to understand the needs of their bodies and what to do to keep themselves healthy. n The childminder develops children's speech and communication through stories, songs and discussion. She plays 'nonsense' sound games with children to build their confidence to use louder voices. As children play, the childminder comments on what they are doing. This helps children to associate the

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need to do better?

childminder's speech with their own actions. However, this commentary does not always allow time for children to fully process the childminder's words and make responses. This does not fully support children's understanding of the flow of two-way conversation. n Partnerships with parents are strong. The childminder keeps parents updated on their child's day, both electronically and through daily conversation. Parents notice the progress their children make and report that their children are 'truly attached' to the childminder. n The childminder networks with other professionals and accesses training to keep her knowledge current. She uses the local children's centre, where she liaises with other childminders to share ideas and advice.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder understands her responsibility to protect children from harm. She can recognise the signs and symptoms of neglect and abuse. She is aware of the risk to children of domestic violence and has knowledge of the 'Prevent' duty, online safety and grooming. The childminder has procedures in place to record, review and report children's accidents. If the childminder is concerned about the conduct of an adult caring for children, she knows how to report her worries. She knows what action to take to get advice and refer cases to the appropriate agency. The childminder implements effective risk assessment processes to minimise safety risks to children.

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should:

n strengthen the organisation of activities to help all children remain focused and engaged in their learning n adapt interactions to allow children time to fully process and respond.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY491929 Local authority West Berkshire Inspection number 10289086 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 10 November 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015. She lives in the Calcot area of Reading, Berkshire. The childminder offers full-time care on Monday to Friday, throughout the year, including out-of-school care. She offers funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure it is safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their early years foundation stage curriculum. n The inspector carried out observations of the interactions between the childminder and children. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder and inspector discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact that this had on children's learning.

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Inspection activities

23 June 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

23 June 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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