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

The childminder spends time getting to know children as unique individuals. This helps them to settle quickly in her care. Children form affectionate bonds with the childminder, who is responsive to their needs. The childminder organises visits to other local childminders and their children. This helps children develop good social skills and confidence in new situations. For instance, children happily engage with visitors and respond with smiles.

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The provision is good

The childminder has high expectations for children's behaviour. Toddlers mimic her calm and caring nature, such as when they offer toys to their friends. Babies observe older children and become familiar with routines. For example, they notice toddlers independently wipe their noses, dispose of tissues and wash hands with soap. This helps babies to develop an understanding of personal care routines from an early age.

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The provision is good

The childminder provides a stimulating learning environment, which motivates children of all ages to explore and learn. Younger children develop stronger arms and legs as they pull themselves up to a standing position. They confidently find resources that intrigue them, such as stacking cups. The childminder knows what children like and dislike and plans for their individual learning styles well. For instance, she provides different objects to help children work out which shapes roll. Babies delight in testing out the items and demonstrate their excitement through hand gestures.

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need to do better?

n The childminder provides a language-rich environment. This is evident when she offers a narrative as children engage in their self-chosen play. For example, as babies play with toy animals, the childminder says the name and sound they make. Children love to hear and sing nursery rhymes and add percussion sounds with shakers. They cleverly link rhymes they know to pictures they see. For example, when children see stars, they hum the rhyme 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'. Children select their favourite books for the childminder to read. They listen intently, point at the pictures and talk about them. This helps to widen children's growing vocabulary. n Children's physical skills are developing well. The childminder supports their body control, stamina and dexterity in a number of ways. For instance, older children delight in running, climbing and balancing in the childminder's garden and in the woods. They carefully peel an orange and separate the segments,

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need to do better?

showing strength in the small muscles of their hands. This helps to promote the early stages of writing. n The childminder helps children to understand their emotions and build new

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need to do better?

9 November 2023 friendships. She supports children to manage their minor disputes by talking and considering an alternative. For instance, she incorporates turn taking, sharing and being respectful in daily routines and activities. The childminder consistently praises children for their achievements and good behaviour. This helps to boost their self-esteem and willingness to have a go. n The childminder gathers information from parents about children's development at the start. She uses these details and her ongoing assessments to highlight clear intentions for what she wants children to learn. However, the childminder does not always plan precisely enough to fully support children's identified next steps in learning. Consequently, children are not consistently supported to make the best possible progress. n The childminder offers children real-life experiences in the local community, such as trips to shops, the library and parks. These opportunities help to build

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need to do better?

children's knowledge of the world they live in. However, the childminder does not always consider how to raise children's awareness of diverse cultures. This means that children do not fully develop an understanding of similarities and differences between their own way of life and those of others. n Parents speak very highly about the education and care their children receive. They talk positively about the childminder's strong and affectionate bonds with their children, saying, 'It is beautiful to witness'. Parents feel that they are well informed about their children's day and the progress they make. They are impressed with the confidence children develop and the improvements seen in their language skills. The childminder shares ideas on what parents can do at home to further contribute to their child's learning. This helps to establish a consistent approach to children's care and development.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The childminder has a thorough understanding of her responsibility to keep children safe from harm. She attends regular training to keep her safeguarding knowledge current. The childminder recognises potential signs that may indicate a child is at risk of abuse. This includes exposure to extremist views and behaviours. She knows the reporting procedures to follow to raise any concerns about a child's welfare. The childminder understands the procedures to follow in the event of an allegation being made against herself or a household member. She makes regular risk assessments of her home to ensure it is safe and suitable for children.

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should:

n plan activities more precisely to take account of what each child can already do so that they always offer relevant challenge and make the best possible progress

p.3

should:

9 November 2023 n provide a richer range of experiences to help children develop an understanding of cultures beyond their own.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY494849 Local authority West Berkshire Inspection number 10301613 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 6 Number of children on roll 7 Date of previous inspection 17 January 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015. She lives in Thatcham, Berkshire. She offers care from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3. She accepts funding for the provision of 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 childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The childminder discussed with the inspector what she wants children to learn. n The childminder and the inspector evaluated an activity together and talked about how this contributed towards children's learning. 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 childminder spoke with the inspector at appropriate times during the inspection about how she keeps her home environment safe. n The childminder provided the inspector with relevant documentation, including confirmation of first-aid training and her suitability to work with children.

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Inspection activities

9 November 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

9 November 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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