Gregory, Laura Jane

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Inadequate

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The provision requires improvement

The childminder has made improvements since her last inspection and met the actions set. However, there are still further improvements needed to ensure that the provision is good, requirements are fully met and children receive quality care and education. At times, the childminder does not deploy herself and her assistant well enough to ensure that they are able to meet requirements and children's individual needs. Additionally, she does not update children's personal details effectively when their specific needs change. This means she may not be able to respond appropriately in the event of an emergency.

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The provision requires improvement

The childminder bases her curriculum for children's learning around experiences and loose themes. Children are happy and settle swiftly on arrival. They have a strong bond with the childminder and her assistant and confidently seek comfort and cuddles if they need them. Children engage well and generally enjoy the activities and experiences the childminder and her assistant provide. Children behave appropriately and learn the routines of the setting. The childminder and her assistant remind children of the rules and how to stay safe, for example to remember to sit on their bottoms at the lunch table. They also reinforce good manners, reminding children to say 'please' and 'thank you' at appropriate times.

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need to do better?

n The deployment of the childminder and her assistant is not consistent or fully effective. The childminder chooses to carry out the school run, leaving a number of children at home with her assistant. She does not plan effectively enough for more children arriving in her absence. Therefore, her assistant is left with five young children in her care for short periods of time, and requirements are not met well enough. n Children's good health is not fully supported. The childminder seeks and records relevant information from parents relating to children's medical and dietary needs. However, when these change, she does not update them swiftly enough. As such, in an emergency, the childminder would not have the relevant information available to share with medical professionals. n The childminder has a basic idea of what she wants children to learn to be school-ready. However, she is not totally clear about the curriculum she has for

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need to do better?

the prime areas to support a strong foundation to learning. It is also not fully evident how she builds children's knowledge and skills sequentially to ensure they make the best possible progress. Some of her targeted next steps are too advanced for young children and do not focus closely enough on the prime areas of learning. n The childminder and her assistant know the children well. They are aware of their interests and aim to incorporate these in daily activities and experiences.

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need to do better?

13 March 2024 However, although they identify some appropriate next steps for individuals, they do not consistently consider these when interacting with and teaching children. This does not support children to move on quickly enough in their learning. n The childminder and her assistant plan some interesting activities and experiences for children. Children enjoy creating the animals they see at the farm and building with different-sized bricks. However, at times, not all children are fully included in these activities and are often told they have to 'wait a minute' to get involved. Additionally, during some routines such as mealtimes and going outside, children have to wait for extended periods of time for their friends to finish or be ready. Children then fidget and get bored. n Children practise their independence skills. For example, they feed themselves and attempt to put on their own coats and shoes. Some of the older children

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need to do better?

receive effective support from the childminder and her assistant to learn to use the potty. They receive a sticker when they use this successfully, leading them to be happy with their achievements. These emerging skills will support their eventual move to school. n The childminder and her assistant have taken effective steps to improve their knowledge of safeguarding. They have both completed some additional training and are able to demonstrate a secure knowledge and understanding of local procedures. Risk assessments are effective and ensure that children have access to a safe and secure family environment.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

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

p.3

Due date

improve the deployment of the childminder and any assistants to ensure requirements are consistently met 29/03/2024

p.3

Due date

maintain any records relating to children's medical and dietary needs up to date before accepting them into your care. 29/03/2024

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should:

n continue to develop an effective curriculum that considers the prime and specific areas appropriately and focuses on children's individual needs n consistently ensure that children's individual next steps are considered when interacting and teaching them to ensure they make the best possible progress in their learning n review and develop further teaching practice and daily routines to ensure that all children are included and waiting times are minimised as far as possible.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY381203 Local authority Windsor and Maidenhead Inspection number 10316698 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 12 Number of children on roll 13 Date of previous inspection 5 October 2023

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2009 and lives in Maidenhead, Berkshire. She operates during school term times, from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday. The childminder holds a relevant level 3 qualification in early years and works with an assistant. The childminder provides funded early years education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. 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 Staff spoke to 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 childminder and inspector discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact that this had on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

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

13 March 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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