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 content, confident and well adjusted at this setting. They have close relationships with the childminder, who provides warm and nurturing care. Children are curious and evidently enjoy their time in her care. The childminder knows the children very well and provides them with clear messages about kindness, sharing and expected behaviour. This helps to boost their self-esteem and supports them to behave very well.

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The provision is good

The childminder sequences the children's learning effectively to help them progressively build on what they know and can do. For example, she provides lots of opportunities for them to practise their hand-eye coordination, such as by completing puzzles and manipulating malleable materials. This helps children to develop the small-muscle movements in their hands in preparation for learning to write. The childminder weaves mathematical concepts and counting into everyday activities. For example, children learn about halves and quarters as they have their toast, and they identify numbers on puzzles, which they complete independently and collaboratively.

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The provision is good

The childminder supports children to enjoy active and healthy lifestyles. For example, children have daily outdoor experiences that include local walks and outings to parks and train stations. They have wonderful trips on trains and buses where they pretend to sell tickets and sit in the chair in the ticket office. They meet a wide range of people and develop confidence in new social situations.

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need to do better?

n The childminder maintains regular communication with parents through daily handovers about their children's learning and development. She shares significant milestones achieved by the children and offers suggestions to parents about how they can contribute to their children's learning at home. In addition, the childminder arranges regular social events for all parents and children, where parents can meet other parents and children can all be together. Parents view their child's learning journal and photographs and are made aware of their next steps in learning. Parents' feedback is very positive, and they say they feel the childminder's provision is like a 'home-from-home'. n The childminder is experienced and has a thorough understanding of children's individual needs and interests. She observes and tracks children's learning carefully. This enables her to identify and plan effectively for their next stage of

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need to do better?

learning. The childminder provides a broad range of activities that support children's interests and learning. This helps children make good progress in all areas of the curriculum. n On the whole, the childminder supports children's language development

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need to do better?

25 January 2024 effectively. For example, she reads stories with excitement and expression. She develops their imagination as she brings stories to life, keeping children enthused. She talks to children as they play. However, in her enthusiasm, the childminder is sometimes too quick to suggest answers or move on when she has asked questions. Despite this, children concentrate well and become absorbed. They thoroughly enjoy participating in song and dance sessions. Children joyfully follow the childminder's lead and move their bodies to a range of familiar songs and rhythms. They chase balloons and learn to blow the balloons to make them float, developing the mouth muscles that help them pronounce different sounds and words. n The childminder plans well for her professional development to keep her knowledge up to date, for instance by attending webinars or courses that help to continuously strengthen her teaching practice. These include a very sharp focus

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need to do better?

on the safeguarding of all children. n The childminder uses a range of festivals and celebrations throughout the year to talk to the children about others. She is keen for them to learn about the wider world and their local community. This works well. Children show lots of care and respect towards one another. For example, they select resources to share with other children, showing compassion and kindness. The childminder uses lots of praise as recognition of what the children do well. She talks to them about their actions, which helps them start to understand right from wrong. n Children gain useful skills that help prepare them for their future learning. The childminder places a strong emphasis on encouraging children to do things for themselves. Children quickly learn to manage their own coats and shoes and begin to wash their hands independently.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n allow children enough time to think and respond during conversations, to build further on their communication and language

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY494389 Local authority West Berkshire Inspection number 10308527 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 8 Date of previous inspection 6 March 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Tilehurst, Reading. She operates all year round, from 8am to 5pm on Mondays and Thursdays and from 8.30am to 5.30pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The childminder has a recognised childcare qualification at level 3.

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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 setting. n A joint observation was completed by the childminder and the inspector during a focused activity indoors. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises her early years setting, including the aims and rationale for the curriculum. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector observed the interactions between the childminder and the children. n The inspector took account of written feedback provided by parents.

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Inspection activities

25 January 2024 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

25 January 2024 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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