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

Children show high levels of self-confidence and develop very good relationships with the nurturing childminder. They have a positive attitude to learning and join in with activities with energy and enthusiasm. The childminder ensures that she provides a warm, homely and inclusive environment, so children feel safe and secure in her care.

p.2

The provision is good

Children behave well and are kind and considerate to their friends. The childminder has clear rules and boundaries in place and reinforces these consistently. Children are encouraged to use good manners and to be kind and caring to others. The childminder gives them meaningful praise for their good behaviour and uses positive strategies to help children to solve their disagreements harmoniously. For instance, when children struggle to share, she uses a sand timer so that they can see when it will be their turn. These positive strategies help children to manage their feelings and behaviour and develop a positive sense of themselves.

p.2

The provision is good

Children make good progress from their starting points and demonstrate age- appropriate knowledge and skills. They listen with interest to stories, act out their experiences during play and enjoy the responsibility of carrying out small tasks, such as helping to tidy toys away.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder regularly assesses children's development. This helps her to quickly identify any emerging gaps and provide targeted support. She understands the importance of making timely referrals to other professionals so that children receive the help they need to close gaps in their learning. n The childminder supports children's communication skills very well. She is skilled when talking with children. For instance, she uses effective questions and ensures that she provides time for children to reflect on their responses. Children develop very good listening, attention and speaking skills. They talk with confidence, respond to questions and demonstrate a wide vocabulary. n Overall, the childminder plans a broad curriculum to support children to develop new knowledge and skills. However, when planning adult-led activities, she does not focus precisely on what individual children need to learn next. For example,

p.2

need to do better?

the childminder teaches children who cannot yet count to 10 in sequence to match the number of items on flashcards with the corresponding printed number. n The childminder provides children with a wide range of experiences to help them to develop an understanding of their wider community and the people in it. For example, she takes them on visits to local care homes for intergenerational care experiences. During these sessions, children participate in activities with the

p.2

need to do better?

5 December 2024 elderly residents, such as arts, crafts, songs and rhymes. These positive activities help children to develop good social skills and respect for others. n The childminder teaches children the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle effectively, for example, through physical activity, healthy eating and following good hygiene habits. She ensures that the meals she provides are healthy and nutritious, and gives children consistent messages about practising good hand hygiene. This contributes to their overall health and well-being. n The childminder provides children with a wealth of opportunities to be physically active and to learn outdoors. She takes them on regular outings to local parks and woodland to enable them to explore, investigate and find out new things. For example, children collect natural items and use puddles to see which items float and which sink. n Partnership working with parents is strong. Parents are very positive about the

p.2

need to do better?

care that their children receive and the progress they have made. The childminder shares information with them about what children are learning and how they can support this at home. These positive relationships help to ensure consistency for children. n The childminder evaluates the quality of her provision effectively and is committed to her ongoing professional development. She has good links with other childminders and completes regular training to enhance her knowledge. For example, she has completed training on children's personal, social and emotional development. This has led her to adapt her approach in managing behaviour. For instance, she now uses stories about feelings to help children to understand these and how to manage them.

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 review the curriculum to ensure that it is well sequenced and focuses more precisely on what individual children need to learn next.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY540095 Local authority West Berkshire Inspection number 10260166 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 5 Number of children on roll 4 Date of previous inspection 14 March 2019

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016 and lives in Burghfield, Reading. She operates from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year. She holds an appropriate qualification at level 2.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector carried out a learning walk to discuss the childminder's curriculum, including how the childminder assesses and plans for the children's learning. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and jointly assessed with the childminder the impact this has on the children's learning and personal development. n The inspector spoke with the childminder and the children at appropriate times during the inspection. The inspector also discussed the arrangements for safeguarding children and the childminder's reporting procedures. n The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided.

p.4

Inspection activities

5 December 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 December 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