Childminder in Slough

Overall effectiveness Good

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children are confident, independent and curious learners. They form secure attachments with the nurturing childminder, who provides a safe and stimulating environment. She possesses a blend of warmth, patience and sensitivity, which helps children feel comfortable and ready to learn. Children happily explore a range of chosen resources that reflect their interests. For example, when drawing faces in oats, they proudly announce, 'that's a happy smile'.

p.2

The provision is good

The experienced childminder places a particular emphasis on supporting children's communication and language skills, their well-being and confidence. She provides enriching experiences in the well-resourced, purpose-built classroom and garden of her welcoming home. These contribute to children's ongoing progress, particularly their language, physical and social development. For instance, they fill measuring syringes with water, accurately using words, such as 'full' and 'empty'. As they play, explore and experiment freely, children apply language they hear in context, such as when they look at their favourite books independently. They remember that 'mummy bear's' porridge in the 'Goldilocks' story is 'cool'.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder sets clear and consistent expectations for children's behaviour and reinforces these skilfully through her calm explanations. This supports children to thrive and manage their own safety. Children demonstrate a secure understanding of right and wrong, and often remind the setting's rules to their friends.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder is fully committed to enhancing her professional development in a variety of ways. This includes, accessing a range of training, researching, as well as sharing good practice with other local childminders. Since the last inspection, the childminder has worked hard to create an appealing, broad and ambitious curriculum that effectively supports children's readiness for school. As a result, children make consistently good progress and develop strong foundations across all areas of learning. n Children's use of vocabulary consistently grows, as the childminder models new words as they play, such as describing oats as 'dry' and 'flaky'. When exploring oats, children impressively respond with words, such as 'pinch' and 'sprinkle' as they do these actions. Furthermore, the childminder develops children's love for books and storytelling. Children begin to understand that the story events follow

p.2

need to do better?

a sequence. They impressively use prepositions to describe where the character is, for instance, 'Goldilocks is behind the tree'. The childminder successfully teaches children a wide variety of action songs, some of which further enhance children's understanding of positional language. n Children show extremely positive attitudes to learning and a true eagerness to

p.2

need to do better?

7 May 2025 try something new. They enthusiastically participate in adult-led activities and connect new experiences with their prior knowledge. For example, while playing with toy farm animals, they collectively and joyfully sing 'old Macdonald had a farm', selecting animals from their play to include in the verses. However, on occasion, the childminder asks children too many questions in quick succession, covering a wide range of concepts in one go. When planning an activity, she does not always fully consider building more precisely on children's existing knowledge and skills. This can reduce opportunities for children to process their thinking and deepen their understanding. n The childminder's curriculum effectively reflects the diversity of cultures and languages represented at her setting. For example, parents send in photographs of their home celebrations and traditions, which the childminder shares and

p.2

need to do better?

discusses with everyone. Children delight in showing their traditional costumes to friends, who respond warmly by saying, 'you look lovely'. Meaningful experiences such as these, help children develop an appreciation and respect for different cultures and backgrounds. n Well-established routines and high expectations around perseverance support children to manage their self-care needs. They show impressive skills when putting on their shoes, washing hands thoroughly and recognising when they are thirsty and need to drink water. In this way, children develop a range of life-long skills that prepare them well for their eventual move to school. n Parents are highly complimentary and appreciative about the education and care their children receive. They look forward to receiving regular updates of their children's day, including photographs and videos. These give parents opportunities to talk with their children about what they did, to help reinforce

p.3

need to do better?

their learning. In addition, the childminder works closely with parents to support children's personal needs, such as toilet training. This effectively supports the continuity of children's care and learning between home and the setting.

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 focus more sharply when planning and teaching activities, to precisely build on what children already know and can do, in order to deepen their understanding of key concepts.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY299611 Local authority Slough Inspection number 10373047 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 6 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection 14 October 2024

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2005. She lives in Slough, Berkshire. The childminder offers care Monday to Saturday, from 7am to 6pm, all year round. She holds a relevant childcare qualification at level 3. The childminder is eligible to receive funding to provide free early years education for children aged nine months to four years.

p.4

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 Children spoke with the inspector 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 and the childminder carried out a joint observation of a group activity. 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

7 May 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

7 May 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.

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