Lucie Millon

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 happy and excited to begin their busy day at the childminder's home-from-home environment. When children start, the childminder gathers detailed information from parents about their care needs. In this way, she gets to know children's home routines, which she uses to help them settle quickly. She builds affectionate bonds with children, which fosters their sense of security and self-esteem.

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The provision is good

The childminder adopts a positive approach to supporting children's good behaviour. She consistently reminds children of her expectations and allows them many opportunities to practise and master these. The childminder gives generous praise when children try hard to accomplish something, such as trying to put on their wellington boots in preparation for the garden. Children beam with pride and say 'wow' when they succeed. This helps to increase children's independence.

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The provision is good

The childminder creates an ambitious and interesting curriculum that enhances children's natural curiosity and deepens their interests. For example, children love to learn about animals and experience opportunities to see them first hand, such as when they feed the ducks at the park. The childminder also gives children time and space to explore and experiment independently. Children collect a variety of different coloured play dough balls and watch what happens when they squash them together. This helps to strengthen children's small muscles in their hands in preparation for holding writing equipment and making controlled marks.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is dedicated to enhancing her continual professional development. She completes mandatory training, researches early years topics and meets with other childminders to share best practice. The childminder applies her new knowledge to refine her practice. For instance, based on training about children's brain development, she ensures children have more time to think of ways to solve simple challenges they encounter. n Children develop impressive independence and self-care skills from an early age. The childminder explains all daily routines well. This helps children to know what they will do next. Children readily engage in these routines, showing how familiar they are with them. Even the very youngest children happily tidy away their toys in the correct boxes and find their shoes to go in the garden. n The childminder applies her knowledge and expertise well to support young children's communication skills. She carefully considers the language she wants

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need to do better?

children to learn, such as naming objects as children play with them. In addition, the childminder cleverly introduces mathematical language in an age-appropriate way, such as 'big' and 'small'. Children build on their vocabulary effectively as

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need to do better?

30 May 2024 they repeat and practise new words in their play. n The childminder is a fluent French and English speaker. She effectively uses her home language, alongside English, to help children who also speak French at home develop their understanding further. Other children learn French words and commands from the childminder. They observe the childminder who gives her pet dogs instructions in French. All children mimic the childminder and use the correct French phrases when they want the dogs to respond, such as to tell them to sit down. In this way, children make comparisons between the languages they speak and those of others. n The childminder offers a wide range of stimulating activities which engage children. For instance, the childminder organises a play dough activity with different tools and moulds for children. However, when she plans for whole- group activities, she does not always consider the key learning points for each

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need to do better?

child with enough precision. At these times, the learning intentions the childminder identifies are too broad and do not focus clearly on the experiences for the youngest children in order to maximise their learning. n The childminder provides children with nutritious home-cooked meals, ample opportunities to exercise in the fresh air and promotes good hygiene routines. Children try hard to keep their balance as they walk on the different terrains outside. Children know they need to wash their hands before eating. However, the childminder has not fully developed opportunities to support children's understanding about the benefits and impact on their bodies of making healthy food choices, staying fit and maintaining good health. n Partnerships with parents are strong and effective. The childminder keeps parents fully informed of their children's time at her setting. She works closely with parents to encourage and establish good care habits, such as sleeping well

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need to do better?

and eating a more varied diet when children are at home with them. This shared approach towards children's care helps them to develop further.

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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 strengthen the planning of group activities to consider more precise learning intentions which focus on each child's individual learning needs n enhance opportunities to help children understand the benefits of adopting a healthy lifestyle.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY433711 Local authority West Berkshire Inspection number 10346120 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 11 Date of previous inspection 28 August 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2011. She lives in Thatcham, Berkshire. The childminder operates her service Monday to Friday between 7.30am and 6pm, all year round. She is eligible for funding for the provision of free early years education for children aged two, three and four years. The childminder holds a relevant childcare qualification.

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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 inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about how she organises the early years curriculum for children, including the aims and rationale. 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 carried out a joint observation of an activity with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n Parents shared their views about the education and care the childminder provides with the inspector.

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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

30 May 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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