Fisher, Georgina

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Requires improvement

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The provision requires improvement

The childminder is committed to delivering a high-quality service. Improvements made since the last inspection have had a positive effect on children's health and well-being. However, variations in the quality of education remain. Some activities are well thought out and engage children successfully. Others lack challenge and do not build on what children already know and can do. This affects children's progress over time, which requires further improvement to be good.

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The provision requires improvement

Overall, children enjoy their time with the childminder and her assistants. The childminder creates a predictable daily routine, which contributes effectively to children's sense of familiarity and security. She uses her good knowledge of children's individual needs to promote their confidence and well-being. The childminder has established warm and nurturing relationships with children who benefit from cuddles and good levels of individual attention. She successfully supports children to manage their feelings and behaviour, through sensitive explanations and consistent expectations. However, weaknesses in the quality of education impact on children's level of resilience overall. Children do not consistently receive the support they need to persevere when activities do not initially engage their interest or when adult support is not specific enough.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has accessed support from the local authority to strengthen the qualify of the education provided for children. This has supported her to make some improvements. However, she does not have a fully secure understanding of all aspects of her role. For example, the childminder does not understand how to target additional funding to improve outcomes for those children who are eligible. Although the childminder provides a broad range of activities, overall, the curriculum is not precisely designed to reflect children's individual needs. While children receive a lot of information, this is not sequenced in a way that enables them to make links with what they already know. This does not help children to become motivated, independent learners. n The childminder employs a number of assistants who work alongside her. She provides them with some useful support and guidance, which enables them to

p.2

need to do better?

meet children's care needs well. However, the gaps in her understanding of how to support children's learning mean that the guidance she provides for assistants in this area is less effective. This impacts on the quality of the support children receive to extend their learning during activities. n Children's communication is suitably supported. The childminder introduces new words to younger children to extend their early language skills, although there is less focus on extending older children's vocabulary. Children respond with great enthusiasm as they take part in the daily song time. They follow instructions well

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need to do better?

9 April 2025 and energetically dance in time to the music. n The childminder has successfully focused on improving the arrangements to promote healthy lifestyles. She ensures there is oversight of opportunities that promote children's physical development, confidence and curiosity. She has recently introduced trips to the local allotment, where children help to plant and cultivate fruits and vegetables. The childminder follows suitable routines to promote children's good health, such as helping them to wash their hands before eating. Children learn about the importance of brushing their teeth. The childminder plans for further improvement, including increasing children's access to a wider range of healthy food options through the provision of snacks. n Overall, the childminder provides some support for children to develop their self- care skills. For example, she encourages children to put on their coats and

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need to do better?

provides opportunities for them to pour drinks. However, there is less focus in the curriculum on helping children practise the skills they need to do other tasks independently. For example, children are not sufficiently encouraged to open and arrange the contents of their lunch boxes. This limits older children from developing skills they will need in readiness for moving on to the next stage in their education. Additionally, younger children lack support when attempting to use cutlery to feed themselves. As a result, children do not gain good levels of confidence to do these tasks for themselves. n The childminder establishes effective partnerships with parents. She ensures a good exchange of information. For example, parents receive information via an app that includes photos and written information. They are encouraged to become involved in initiatives such as healthy lunch boxes.

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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

Due date

strengthen the delivery of the curriculum to ensure all children consistently benefit from high-quality teaching and adult interactions 25/06/2025

p.3

Due date

9 April 2025 focus the curriculum intent more sharply on the individual needs of the children so learning opportunities build on what the children know and can do already. 25/06/2025

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY430995 Local authority West Berkshire Inspection number 10360912 Type of provision Childminder

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 21 Date of previous inspection 3 July 2024

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2011. She lives in Theale, Berkshire. The childminder works with a number of assistants. She provides childminding for most of the year, Monday to Thursday from 7.30am to 6pm and on Friday from 7.30am to 4.30pm. The childminder holds a recognised early years qualification at level 2. She provides government funded early education places for children aged from nine months to four years.

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Inspection activities

n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their early years foundation stage curriculum. 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 and the childminder carried out a joint observation of a craft activity. n The inspector talked to the assistants at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while with the childminder. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

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

9 April 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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