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

Children are clearly happy and thoroughly enjoy spending time at this nurturing and welcoming provision. Children demonstrate that they feel safe as they play and explore in the childminder's home. The childminder has high expectations of children's abilities, and children benefit from a learning environment that supports their concentration and enjoyment. Children are focused and engaged when they play. They demonstrate perseverance as they draw pictures of themselves in foam and use scissors safely when cutting wool for their hair. Children enjoy the activities, which purposefully cover the seven areas of learning. This, combined with the good teaching, helps them to advance and refine the skills they need for later learning.

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The provision is good

Children of all ages participate in singing, action songs and dancing. Children show good listening skills as they sit attentively while familiar stories are read. They happily respond to questions and are able to demonstrate their understanding of what they know through communication. For example, when looking at books about their bodies, children excitedly recall where organs and bones are in the pictures and correctly make connections to these on themselves. Children behave well. They play happily alongside, and with, their peers. They clearly know the routines well, and demonstrate this when they respond to the tidy-up song effectively.

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need to do better?

n The childminder and any assistants they work with know the children well. They have a clear understanding of what they want the children to learn, and adapt activities to offer an inclusive curriculum to support children's learning. The childminder understands what each child's interest is, and skilfully implements these into activities to create a meaningful curriculum. For example, children who are very interested in dinosaurs have these toys included in the garden to encourage them to play in the sensory area. This helps to ensure that children get the best experiences while in the provision. n The childminder provides an environment that is rich in spoken language. For example, she spends quality time talking to the children about what they are doing and asking them questions to encourage them to talk about their play. Children enjoy the time they spend in the garden. They show good imagination

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need to do better?

as they make 'drinks' and 'food' for each other to share. Children show good dexterity as they use brooms for creative play and negotiate spaces with the pushchairs for their dolls. Children have opportunities to climb and use large equipment as they explore the wider community. n Children are given a good amount of praise for their achievements and efforts. Children enjoy mealtimes together. Their independence is well supported by the

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need to do better?

7 January 2025 childminder and any assistants they work with. However, at times, their deployment and practice is not consistently maintained to support children's good health. In addition, sometimes, younger children sit and wait for their meals for some time without being involved in purposeful activity. Nevertheless, children play and explore in a well-maintained home. n The childminder works closely with parents to build effective partnerships. She ensures that she collects detailed information from parents when children first start and liaises with parents consistently to ensure that this information is up to date. Parents receive regular updates about their child's learning through verbal and written feedback. This supports a consistent approach for children. n Parental feedback is very positive and gives high praise to the childminder. They comment that the childminder provides a positive 'home-from-home

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need to do better?

environment', shares 'regular information' and gives children a 'good amount of education support'. This is acknowledged by parents as being 'pitched just right' to help them see that their child is 'making good progress'. n The childminder keeps her knowledge and training up to date, and has recently completed training to advance her professional development, to improve outcomes for the children.

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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 review and improve the organisation of mealtimes, to consistently promote children's good health and well-being.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2762047 Local authority West Berkshire Inspection number 10349676 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 9 Number of children on roll 14 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2020 and lives in Newbury, Berkshire. She operates her childminding provision all year round from 8am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. She works with two assistants.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder explained the curriculum during a learning walk with the inspector. n The childminder and the inspector completed a joint observation of an activity together and discussed the quality of teaching and learning afterwards. n The inspector discussed learning activities and assessed the quality and impact of teaching on the children's learning. n The inspector engaged with children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector took account of parents' views through their written comments. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including evidence of the suitability of all those living in the household and evidence of the childminder's paediatric first-aid training.

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Inspection activities

7 January 2025 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

7 January 2025 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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