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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

The childminder creates a warm and inviting environment, where children play and explore happily. She uses children's interests, her ongoing assessments of their progress and her observations, to plan suitable activities. The well-thought-out curriculum captures children's interests as they learn to play independently. For example, children show an interest in farm animals, and the childminder uses this to share songs and stories with children about these animals. She also regularly takes children to the farm, where they watch deer being born and feed the lambs. These real-life experiences support children's growing understanding of the world around them.

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The provision is good

The childminder is calm and consistent when interacting with children. She develops strong attachments with them, helping children to feel safe and comfortable. The childminder is a good role model and has high expectations for children's behaviour. She gives an abundance of praise and encouragement, especially when children try to do tasks for themselves. Parents work closely with the childminder to fully support children's independence at home. Children demonstrate an understanding of the daily routines as they tidy away their toys by putting them back in the right place, as well as remembering to bring their water bottles to the table at mealtimes. In addition, children wait patiently while the childminder tends to care routines for the younger ones. Older children say please and thank you appropriately, showing they are polite and well mannered. Children behave well and it is evident that they thoroughly enjoy their time with the

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need to do better?

n The experienced childminder plans a wide range of activities for children to learn about the community. For example, they go on walks, visit the library and attend local playgroups to meet other childminders and their children. This enables them to meet a variety of people from different backgrounds, as well as develop social skills. n The childminder provides a well-organised learning environment, where children have free access to resources that support their skills in all areas of the curriculum. For example, the childminder pinpoints that some children need to strengthen their small hand muscles to prepare them for moving on to writing. Children help themselves to equipment that the childminder organises for them in low-level cupboards. They show good hand-eye coordination when completing these activities, such as threading a string through the middle of a cotton reel. n The childminder recognises the importance of developing children's

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need to do better?

understanding of mathematical concepts. She makes good use of counting opportunities as they arise. Children learn to point at each object to count

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need to do better?

22 July 2024 accurately. The childminder sets challenges, such as when children successfully balance different sized dinosaurs on narrow and wide fence slats. Children do this well, clearly showing they understand the concepts of 'big' and 'small' and spatial awareness. n The childminder supports children well to manage their self-care skills throughout the day. Her large garden is set up to provide ample opportunities for children to have fresh air and remain active. Children learn the benefits of rubbing soap in between their fingers to 'wash the germs away'. The childminder provides nutritious and balanced meals to support children's health and growth. n The childminder prepares children well for their next stage in education. She communicates effectively with new settings that children will be going to and shares specific information to help the new staff settle these children quickly. In addition, she takes children to these settings to become more familiar with the

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need to do better?

staff, children and routines. This helps children know what to expect when they eventually move. n The childminder understands how young children learn language. She frequently models describing words, such as 'crunchy', as children eat slices of apple. Children cleverly connect their learning and point out that the apple slices are in the shape of a moon. The childminder shows interest when children want to share what they know. However, there are occasions when the childminder does not capitalise as well as possible on children's interests to extend their learning even further. Therefore, although children enjoy these lively discussions, and speak confidently, the childminder does not consistently make the most of her interactions to introduce new vocabulary and ideas. n The childminder builds trusted relationships with parents. She liaises regularly with them to discuss their children's learning and development. The childminder

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need to do better?

works closely with parents and shares ideas with them to help support children's development at home, such as with toilet training when children are ready. This shared approach successfully helps children's good progress, particularly in their confidence and independence.

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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 focus more precisely on making better use of interactions to extend children's learning and vocabulary even more.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2758785 Local authority West Berkshire Inspection number 10349593 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 3 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2023 and lives in Calcot, West Berkshire. She operates Monday to Thursday, from 8am to 5pm, all year round. The childminder holds a relevant childcare qualification at level 3. She is eligible to receive funding to provide free early years education for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure they are safe and suitable. n The childminder discussed the early years curriculum she offers children with the inspector. n Children and parents spoke to the inspector at appropriate times 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 inspector carried out a joint observations of a group activity with the childminder. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

22 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

22 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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