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Bracknell Forest Local Directory

Whiting, Kate

I have been a registered childminder since November 2000 and feel I have lots of experience in all aspects of home based childcare. I offer a home from home setting where your child will be looked after in caring and safe environment. I pride myself in instilling and rewarding good behaviour and manners and not focussing too much attention on the negatives. I have looked after many children in my own home over the years who, when they leave my care, have always left happy and confident and looking forward to the next stages in their lives. I work within the guidelines of the Early Years Foundation Stage, helping to enhance the learning and development of your child. I offer many activities and experiences, including drawing, painting, playdoh, stenciling, dressing up, model making, freeplay, garden play, park visits, fruit picking, woodland walks, toddler and childminding groups and much more. I have a huge amount of toys and activites for children to explore and enjoy. I am an active member of the local childminding group and childminding Network. I am available all year round, but do take at least 4 weeks off each year as personal holiday. Hours of work are fairly flexible so please feel free to ask as per your requirements.

Who to contact

Contact Name
Kate Whiting
Telephone
01344 771904
07979574851
E-mail
katewhiting@hotmail.com

Where to go

Address
Owlsmoor
Sandhurst
Berkshire
Postcode
GU47

Other Details

Costs

Details
Please contact me for further details of fees.

Inclusion Information

Wheelchair Access

Has Provision
Yes

Special Needs

Has Provision
Yes

Dietary Needs

Has Provision
No

Childcare Information

Funded Places

Offers 2 year funded places
No
Offers 3 & 4 years (15 hrs) funded places
No
Offers 3 & 4 years (30 hrs) funded places
No

Vacancies

Details
Part time and full time places available for children under the age of 5 years.
Date updated
30/11/2018

Opening Times & Facilities

Opening Times
Opening Times
DayOpening TimeClosing Time
Monday 07:00 18:00
Tuesday 07:00 18:00
Wednesday 07:00 18:00
Thursday 07:00 18:00
Friday 07:00 18:00
Facilities
Open Space, Visits & Outings, Sleeping Area, Outdoor Play, Crafts

School Pickups

Offers pickups
Yes
School Pickup
School Pickup
SchoolAMPM
Owlsmoor Primary School
Details
I drop off and collect from Owlsmoor pre school, nursery and primary school.

Ofsted Information

Link to latest ofsted inspection report 

Local Offer

Local Offer Record
Local Offer Description

I am a registered childminder offering a home from home setting in Owlsmoor, Sandhurst. My setting is a three bed semi detached house with a large garden. I use all of the downstairs space and garden for childminding and upstairs for sleeping only. I offer childcare all year round apart from personal holiday time.

1: How does the setting identify children with additional needs or SEND?

I follow the the guidelines of the EYFS whilst chidlren are in my care. I discuss with parents baseline information of their childs development and use this information to start a leaning journey book. I use this information to decide where the child is in terms of their level of developmental progress and plan activites to enhance further development. I use and record observations to help decide the childs strengths and weaknesses, which in turn enables me work on any areas where they may be behind in their development and learning.


2: How will I be informed / consulted about the ways in which my child is being supported?

Parents are welcome to view a childs learning journey at any time and any areas for concern can be discussed and ideas shared to help the child. I will give the learning journey to parents at regular intervals so they can see the progress of their child. I use daily diaries to keep parents informed of what activites the children have done and how they have spent their day. This can also be used by the parents to feedback any information to me which may not have time to be discussed at drop off times. I can also be contacted at all times via email and phone to discuss any needs of the child or their family.


3: How will the setting adapt the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum for my child's needs?

I don't have any written planning but each day offers different opportunities for activities. Most of what I do is child led. I follow the interests of the children and bring in my observations to help me activities that will enhance any areas in their learning and development that I feel they may be behind in. One to one support may not be possible as it would depend on how many children may be in my care on particular days, and as I work alone I don't have staff who can attend to others needs whilst one to one care takes place.   


4: What teaching strategies does the setting use for children with additional needs or learning difficulties?

The opportunity has never arisen for me to care for children with additional needs or learning difficulties in my setting, although my setting is inclusive and all children are welcome. I would happily acquire extra resources to help accomodate children with additional needs, and would research and attend relevant training to increase my knowledge of specific needs of children if the need arose.  


5: What additional support does the setting provide for children with additional needs or SEND?

I have a SEND policy and do regular risk assessments in my setting. At this point in time though I have no experience with children with additional needs or learning difficulties, and no specific training or qualifications in these areas. Any training and equipment that I would need would have to assessed and obtained on an individual childs needs and requiremants.


6: How will the setting monitor my child's progress and how will I be involved in this?

Everything that a child achieves is recorded in their EYFS learning journey. This way I can monitor their strengths and weaknesses and plan activites to enhance any possible shortfalls in development. Parents are always kept informed of how the childs progress is in all areas of learning and development and informed daily of activities and experiences.


7: How do you ensure children with additional needs or SEND can be included in the same activities as other children, including trips?

Any trip that is planned or activity undertaken is assessed for possible risks. All children have different levels of skills and abilities no matter who they are. I try to cater for all ages and abilities. I endeavour to adapt all activites to suit everyone. Outings are managed in the same way. Possible risks are assessed and outings will only take place if I feel it is appropriate to do so.


8: How accessible is the building for children with mobility difficulties / wheelchair users?

I do have steps to all three entrances into the building but as yet no ramps to make access easier for wheelchair use. These can be obtained if necessary. Inside the house all the rooms used are on one level enabling easy movement. The garden is all one level but a ramp would be needed from the decking. There are downstairs toliet facilities but a wheelchair would not fit in the room. Unfortunately I couldn't see a way to make a change to this.


9: How will you support my child's transition to a new setting or school?

I offer settling in sessions, firstly with parents, then just with myself and the child, starting with short periods and gradually increassing in time so that they are comfortable in my care and their surroundings.

With children moving onto school we discuss the changes and things that they can expect from school life. Most of the time we've been picking up other children from the local school for sometime so younger children have had experience of the playground and the layout of the school. I find this helps prepare them for being there themselves. We can look in classrooms whilst there and show the children what they might be doing in school. Any worries can be alleviated by also having older children talk about their experiences in school, and if they happen to be at the school when other start there, they can be familiar faces for younger ones to look for.

Any learning journals and other paperwork regarding the childs development and progress will go with the child when they move on, which can be given to the school or new setting. I can liaise with new settings and discuss my knowledge of the child which can help with continuity of care.


10: How does the setting assess the overall effectiveness of its SEN provision and how can parents / carers take part in this evaluation?

I have very good relationships with all of my families and talk freely and easily about the needs and progress of the childrens development and requirements. This helps me to ensure I am giving all the children the appropriate care and attention that they individualy require. I speak openly with the children, those who are old enough to undertsand, about how they fell about my setting and the things we do and if there is anything that they'd to do or change. Using observations also helps me to assess individual needs.


11: Who should I contact if I am considering registering for a place at the setting?

All enquiries should be made to myself.


12: What arrangements does the setting have for feedback from parents / carers, including compliments and complaints?

I have a complaints and compliments book available. I have lots of references from past and present parents and thank you cards from children that I've cared for too.

All parents are aware of proceedures for complaints and there is an Ofsted parents poster inside the front door for parents to refer to for contact details if necessary.

I have given out questionnaires in the past for parents to give feedback but they've always preferred to talk directly to me, which I feel is more personal. I believe I'm very approachable and always let parents know they can discuss anything openly and honestly at any time with me.


Last updated: 30/11/2018

Last Update: 09/04/2019

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