Reck Donna

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in the nurturing, highly positive environment created by the childminder. It is evident in their interactions that the childminder and children delight in each other's company. This plays a large part in children settling quickly and feeling secure. Children display a strong desire to explore and try new experiences. For example, young children explore metal items and are captivated as they work out how to use these to make new sounds. They look through small metal hoops and cannot wait to find these when the childminder hides them.

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The provision is outstanding

Children mirror the childminder's calm, gentle approach. Even very young children show a mature understanding of behaviour, competently resolving minor disagreements. The childminder expertly adapts activities, so that all children can participate. For example, when taking part in World Mental Health Day, older children think of positive words to describe themselves, such as 'kind' and 'brilliant'. Very young children use pictures to understand simple emotions. Children are fully involved in making decisions, such as which activities to do during the holidays. This aids them in understanding and considering the needs of others. Highly effective daily routines, ongoing discussions and specific activities support children of all ages in gaining a very practical knowledge of healthy practices. For instance, young children engage in activities that help them learn about oral hygiene.

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need to do better?

n Children make rapid progress and are very well prepared for future learning. The childminder skilfully combines her own knowledge with information from supporting documents to precisely assess children's development and determine what they need to learn next. She uses her deep understanding of each child and their preferred learning styles to offer them play opportunities that exactly meet their developmental needs. n The childminder is constantly striving to improve her work and uses a variety of innovative methods to evaluate her practice. She completes a wealth of training, carefully reviewing what she has learned and putting any new knowledge into practice. This aids her in assessing children's progress and ensuring that they do not fall behind. Additionally, the childminder shares her knowledge with her assistant, helping them to develop their professional practice. n Children have meaningful opportunities that successfully support them in

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need to do better?

understanding diversity. They celebrate festivals associated with their family beliefs and cultures and the childminder expertly builds on these. For example, as part of celebrations for Black History Month, children look at the African continent, noting the different countries and examining their traditions, music and dances. n The childminder fully appreciates her role in supporting children to develop their

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need to do better?

2 November 2023 language and communication skills. She ensures that children have numerous creative daily experiences that inspire them to talk and communicate. For instance, on local bus rides, children describe what they see. They discuss how to recreate the bus at home, noting the seat layout and what they need to take with them. n The childminder skilfully develops children's knowledge, bringing activities and events to life. For example, children talk about Remembrance Day. They visit a museum, where, with the childminder's sensitive support, they immerse themselves in the displays, talking about the emotions and environments experienced by people living through historical events. n Children show a genuine love of books. Younger children choose their favourite books and are immediately captivated as they read these with the childminder. They become immersed as they use their fingers to explore the shapes and

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need to do better?

textures, inspiring them to look through other books and to repeat the words and sounds. n The childminder makes excellent use of children's interests to aid them in gaining new skills and knowledge. For example, children interested in toys that spin develop their smaller hand muscles as they play with wheels and turn cogs. The childminder's sensitive attention means that children have opportunities to practise new skills. For instance, children later remember the 'turning action' as they carefully loosen and tighten nuts and bolts. n Parents speak highly of the childminder. They praise her excellent communication, which enables them to work in true partnership. Parents and the childminder continuously share information to promote children's learning and development at home and in the childminder's setting. Older children report how much they enjoy their time with the childminder and trust her to sort out any

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The childminder has an excellent knowledge of safeguarding, completing frequent training to keep this up to date. She also ensures that her assistant maintains a thorough understanding of this area. The childminder fully understands how to identify and report any concerns about children's welfare. Additionally, she demonstrates an exceptionally secure knowledge of wider safeguarding issues, such as radicalisation and the possible dangers related to the use of the internet. The childminder very sensitively helps children understand possible risks and how to protect themselves.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 129268 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10300997 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7 Date of previous inspection 11 January 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1999 and lives in Welwyn Garden City. She operates all year round from 7.45am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. She works with an assistant on an occasional basis. The childminder is registered to provide funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder's setting. n The inspector observed activities and assessed the impact these have on children's learning. She carried out a tour of the home with the childminder to discuss and understand how the early years provision is organised. n The childminder and inspector reviewed an activity together. n The inspector viewed relevant documentation, including the safeguarding procedures and the suitability of household members and the assistant. n The inspector talked with children at appropriate times throughout the inspection and considered their views. She also talked with parents and viewed their written feedback.

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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

2 November 2023 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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