My name is Huma and I am an Ofsted registered Childminder based in the center of Reading, near the Royal Berkshire Hospital. I offer a home from home experience, with lots of toys and resources to both entertain and educate, while encouraging independence. I have two sons, 7 and 4 and as they attend Alfred Sutton Primary School I am able to pick up from there too.

Reviewed November 2022

I identify children with additional needs or SEND mostly through observations. I also use an EYFS Early years outcomes tracking document and when necessary a language monitoring tool to monitor each child's development. Where possible I like to arrange home visits and settling in sessions to better understand each child's needs before they begin at my setting. I work closely with parents, sending daily updates through Whatsapp, when possible having a quick catch-up at the door on collection as well as more in-depth updates at parents evenings twice a year.

I would keep you informed about the ways in which your child is being supported via daily updates through Whatsapp, when possible having a quick catch-up at the door on collection as well as more in-depth updates at parents evenings twice a year or when more if requested. 

At my setting I use the 'Planing in the moment' teaching method. Planning in the moment is all about capturing the moment of engagement and running with it to make sure the children progress. I believe that this is the best way to not only adapt your curriculum for a child's individual needs but help each child access their full potential. 

I also use observations to create visual next steps as reminders to myself to cover at a later time or date. I use the children's interests and SMART targets to create these next steps. Whenever needed I will seek advice from professionals.

I work closely with parents and professionals involved with the child to ensure that I have the skills, resources and tools to create a tailored experience for them so that they can gain the most from their time at my setting. 

I also like to use every opportunity to gain knowledge and take part in any training I can to best help  children with additional needs or learning difficulties.

Having a smaller setting with only a few children means that I am able to focus in on each child's needs whether or not they have additional needs or SEND. At my setting I use the 'Planing in the moment' teaching method. Planning in the moment is all about capturing the moment of engagement and running with it to make sure the children progress. I believe that this is the best way to not only adapt your curriculum for a child's individual needs but help each child access their full potential. 

Children are able to freely move between the indoor and outdoor spaces which can be invaluable when children have a preference for one or the other. Not only can they use whichever space they prefer but if a child feels they need to remove themselves from their peers this can still happen without much difficulty or any need to vocalise what they want. I have created a calm corner out of view of other children where a child may go if they are feeling overwhelmed, it has clouds hanging from the ceiling to 'blow the angry away' or simply lay down on the floor and watch move. There are books about feelings available in the calm corner as well as a number of sensory toys and blankets. Children can bring comforters from home to use whenever they feel they need to.

I am always learning and open to suggestions and as a result my setting will continue to change as long as I feel I feel it needs to to best support the children while they are in my care.

 I use an EYFS Early years outcomes tracking document and when necessary a language monitoring tool to monitor each child's development. Where possible I like to arrange home visits and settling in sessions to better understand each child's needs before they begin at my setting so that I can do a baseline review to create a starting point from where to monitor the child's development. I work closely with parents, sending daily updates through Whatsapp, when possible having a quick catch-up at the door on collection as well as more in-depth updates at parents evenings twice a year or when more if I feel it is required.

As I use the 'Planing in the moment' teaching method at my setting, I believe that this is the best way to  adapt your curriculum for a child's individual needs. As well as this I will always consider each child individually when choosing an activity thinking of the the way they could be adapted to suit each of them and any possible additional resources they may need to help them with that activity. I usually consider different abilities with each activity I plan regardless of additional needs because as a childminder who caters to children of different ages this is something that I often have to do. 

I will also be sure that I am within my ratios and will carry out a risk assessment before going on any outings or trips. 

Unfortunately my setting is not wheelchair friendly as I live in a terrace house spread over 4 floors. The bottom 2 floors are used for childminding, but most of our time in spent on the lower ground floor. The front entrance, cloak room and library are on the ground floor and then the rest of the childminding spaces; toilets, playroom, kitchen and garden are on the lower ground floor which can only be accessed via stairs in the hallway, I do not have side access or rear access to the house.

The last month before children start school our topic and focus becomes school. We use books, photos, videos and more to prepare. When possible I like to organise an outing to the school they will be attending. walking down or driving by and talking about how exciting it is that they will be going to school. 

I also write a transition report for the school giving them my name and contact details for any further contact they may need. 

I do an annual self evaluation and have an action plan that I add to whenever need be. Feedback from parents is welcome anytime, whether that be through email, Whatsapp messages, text, phone or in person. Feedback forms are sent out with the end of term reviews as an additional method of communication. I also ask parents if they would like to leave a review or any feedback on my Childcare.co.uk page. I add any concerns, complaints to my self evaluation and create any solutions or changes I need to make to my action plan.

You can contact myself;

Name : Huma Kazmi

Mobile: 07765432777

Email: hshah88@hotmail.co.uk

Feedback is welcome anytime, whether that be through email, Whatsapp messages, text, phone or in person. Feedback forms are sent out with the end of term reviews as an additional method of communication. I also ask parents if they would like to leave a review or any feedback on my Childcare.co.uk page.