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

p.1

The provision is good

The childminder provides a warm and nurturing environment. Children eagerly enter her welcoming home and quickly become involved in activities alongside their peers. For example, children practise their threading skills and show good coordination. They interact well with others and talk about what they are making. The childminder supports children's developing speech and vocabulary skills well. For example, she introduces new vocabulary to help build on children's understanding of colour and shape.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder teaches children how to care for living creatures. For instance, when children find snails in the garden, she encourages them to find a safe place to put them. Children are keen learners. Alongside the childminder, they actively discuss what snails like to eat and why they come out in wet weather.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder places a strong focus on developing children's personal, social and emotional development. She is calm and patient, and helps children to feel emotionally secure. When small disputes occur, she sensitively speaks to children about being kind to each other, and helps them to come up with their own solutions. For example, when two children want the same toy, such as a car, she helps them to find a similar vehicle and suggests they play with them together. All children form friendships and benefit from being with mixed ages.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder assesses children's development accurately and has a good awareness of what they need to learn next. She plans a varied curriculum that covers all areas of learning effectively. All children make good progress and develop the skills they need in preparation for school. n The childminder supports children's communication and language development well. Children delight in singing nursery rhymes. They show a love of books and bring them to the childminder to read. The childminder engages children well in stories and encourages them to use and learn new words in context, such as 'chrysalis'. She uses repetition and short sentences, to help children begin to learn language for talking. She engages children in discussion and asks them questions to help promote their language. For example, as children draw pictures, she talks to them about the patterns and shapes they are forming. n Children benefit from many opportunities to learn about the wider world. The

p.2

need to do better?

childminder plans regular outings, which gives children the chance to develop links within the local community. For example, children delight in catching the train to the local town. They enjoy den building in local fields and love watching the barges go through the locks down by the river. The childminder supports children to learn about personal safety, such as how to stay safe when near

p.2

need to do better?

5 July 2024 water. n The childminder gets to know children and their families very well. She spends time with parents to find out about their children's routines, care needs and experiences at home. The childminder uses this information to plan learning experiences to help children develop the skills they need for future learning. However, she does not share information about children's development with all other settings that children attend, to form a wider picture of children's overall development. n The childminder constantly gives children support and encouragement to achieve their goals. This boosts their confidence and self-esteem. For example, children shout, 'I did it,' when they successfully squeeze and manipulate play dough through objects. The childminder shows genuine excitement when children achieve. She consistently praises children for their achievements. n The childminder supports children's good health and well-being. She ensures

p.2

need to do better?

children have daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise to help them practise and build on a variety of skills. The childminder knows children well and is attentive to their needs. For example, she recognises that children are hungry and offers them an earlier snack. Children learn to sit safely in their chairs and eat their food independently. n The childminder is very reflective and knows her own strengths and areas she would like to develop further. She supports her own continued professional development and attends a range of training to help benefit children.

p.3

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

should:

n strengthen links with other early years settings children attend, to share information and build the strongest picture of children's learning and development.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY397566 Local authority West Berkshire Inspection number 10350942 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 11 Date of previous inspection 18 September 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2009. She lives in Kintbury, near Hungerford in West Berkshire. The childminder's provision operates Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between 7.30am and 6pm all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She offers funded early education for two,- three,- and four- year-old children. The childminder holds a relevant childcare qualification.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID19 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 The inspector observed the implementation of the curriculum during activities indoors and outdoors. She assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector took into account the spoken and written views of parents.

p.4

Inspection activities

5 July 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

5 July 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6