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 experienced childminder provides a welcoming and stimulating environment for the children in her care. Children arrive keen and happy, and they settle quickly to enjoy their activities. Independence skills are promoted well. For example, from an early age, children are encouraged to tidy toys away and to take care of their personal belongings.

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The provision is good

The childminder is dedicated to helping children to reach their full potential. She carefully plans her curriculum to meet the needs of all children while challenging them to learn new skills and knowledge through the wide range of activities that she provides. She listens well to children and acts on what she has heard to best support children's good rates of progress. For instance, the childminder offers opportunities for children to mix colours after they demonstrate an interest in this. This allows children to explore and deepen their understanding of what happens when they mix different colours together and the tones they can create.

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The provision is good

Children are very clear about the childminder's high expectations of behaviour. The childminder is clear and consistent and explains to children why they should behave with kindness and care towards one another. Children are consistently polite and well mannered and show care for their friends. This is demonstrated during garden play. When children take little tumbles, their friends come to ask if they are okay and give them hugs.

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need to do better?

n The childminder plans an ambitious curriculum that considers children's likes and interests, as well as their stages of development. She supports children with additional needs and is keen to take on advice from other professionals when this is available. The childminder knows the children well and carefully tracks their progress. She knows how to support children's individual needs. Consequently, all children make good progress. n All children benefit from the opportunities that the childminder provides for them to practise their physical skills. They move freely and confidently, inside and in the garden, with the childminder skilfully challenging them to balance or hop when playing games. Small-muscle skills are promoted through engaging activities that require moving 'potions', using pipettes and different-sized containers. This helps to develop children's hand-eye coordination and contributes towards their early writing skills.

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need to do better?

n Children relish in the wide range of activities and visits that the childminder plans. These include visits to farms and parks and other local places of interest. This helps to develop children's social interaction skills. However, at times, the childminder does not consistently provide opportunities for children to develop a

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need to do better?

1 July 2024 greater understanding of people's lives beyond their own community. This does not fully support their understanding of diversity and the wider world. n The childminder is an excellent communicator. She consistently talks to children at eye level and gives them thinking time before expecting responses. She plays alongside children, modelling ambitious vocabulary to develop the children's language skills. For instance, during water play in the garden, the childminder introduces lemons and uses and explains words such as 'sour' and 'acidic' to describe them. n Children behave exceptionally well. They are confident and self-assured. Children ask for resources that they would like to use and for help when it is required. They consistently treat one another and the environment with respect, only needing an occasional gentle reminder from the childminder about why this is important. n Parents are highly complimentary about the childminder. They appreciate the

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need to do better?

home-from-home environment that she provides and the wide range of stimulating activities that she works hard to provide. n The childminder is committed to continually developing her practice. She evaluates her setting and seeks professional development opportunities when she feels that she could develop areas further. For example, recent training has improved the childminder's understanding of how children learn through play. She has adapted her practice to allow children more time to engage in activities during choosing time. The childminder says that this has improved children's levels of engagement. n The childminder places a strong emphasis on healthy eating and hygiene practices. Children have a sound understanding of the need for good hygiene practices. They manage their own toileting needs when appropriate and know to wash their hands before eating. At snack times, the childminder keenly discusses

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need to do better?

healthy food choices with the children and how to live a healthy lifestyle.

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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 extend opportunities for children to learn about people and communities that are different to their own.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY460861 Local authority West Berkshire Inspection number 10351155 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 4 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection 10 October 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2013 and lives in Thatcham, Berkshire. She operates for most of the year from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. The childminder has an appropriate early years 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 setting. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures that they are safe and suitable for children. n The inspector observed a planned adult-led activity and provided feedback to the childminder. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector through written feedback.

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Inspection activities

1 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.

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Inspection activities

1 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.

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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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