Setting

Summary of complaint

On 3 March 2011, we received a complaint that raised concerns about the setting not meeting staffing ratios. We needed to investigate this concern to see whether the setting was meeting the Early Years Foundation Stage welfare requirements relating to 'Suitable people'. In particular, these include a requirement that states that providers must meet the requirements for adult:child ratios set out in Appendix 2 of the Early Years Foundation Stage, including a specific clause that states that there must be at least 2 adults on duty at the setting at any time when children are present. We do not investigate to prove or disprove a complaint but we look into the information we receive to see if the childcare provider is meeting all the legal requirements. We carried out an unannounced visit to the premises and found that on the day of the visit the provider was meeting the staffing requirements for adult:child ratios set out in Appendix 2. However, the

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Summary of complaint

provider admitted that on the day the allegation was made some staff were absent due to sickness and that children were left with only one staff member for a short period of time whilst another staff member fetched other children from the local school. Contingency plans have since been reviewed to ensure staff absences are dealt with in a more effective manner. Following our investigation, we issued a notice to improve that asks the provider to:

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Summary of complaint

ensure you meet the requirements for adult:child ratios as set out in Appendix 2 of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage; with particular regard to ensuring there are two adults on duty in the setting at any time when children are present (Early Years Foundation Stage General Welfare Requirements - Suitable people)

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Summary of complaint

ensure that at least two suitable persons who have attained the age of 18 are present on the premises at all times, also applies to the voluntary Childcare Register (Welfare of the children being cared for).

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Summary of complaint

The provider has responded to the notice to improve and we are satisfied that they have met the actions.

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Summary of complaint

The provider remains registered with Ofsted.

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Publication of complaints

We publish details of complaints made against childminders, home childcarers and childcare providers where we or the provider have taken action in order to meet legal requirements.

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Publication of complaints

We publish details of complaints for five years commencing on the date we complete our investigation.

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Publication of complaints

For further information about the complaints process please view the Concerns and complaints about childminders and childcare providers leaflet (Reference no. 080120)

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