Childminder in Northumberland

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD Telephone: 0300 123 1231 Fax: 0300 123 3159 Minicom: 0161 618 8524 Email: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk Web: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Monitoring for provision judged as inadequate

An Ofsted inspector, Janet Fairhurst, monitored your provision on 28/04/2014 following your inspection where the provision was judged to be inadequate.

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Outcome of monitoring

As a result of our inspection on 30/01/2014, we sent you a notice to improve. The actions you were set are included at the end of this letter.

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Outcome of monitoring

During the monitoring visit the inspector discussed with you the steps you have taken to address the actions raised in the notice to improve. She observed you working with the children, and looked at children's observation and assessment records, written risk assessments and policies and procedures. She discussed with you the arrangements you have in place to complete the Progress check at age two, as well as how you work with other professionals when children are attending other settings. The inspector also spoke to a representative from the local authority.

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Outcome of monitoring

The inspector found that you have developed an action plan to address the actions raised at your last inspection and you have liaised proactively with the local authority and received helpful support. You have now signed up to the local authority service level training agreement. As a result, you will be attending a training course linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage in May 2014. You demonstrate a clearer understanding of each child's stage of development and what the key priorities are in terms of supporting their development. This is because you are making more use of discussions with parents and the records that you keep. You complete observations of children to help you determine their current stage of development and to plan their next steps; these are recorded in children's learning journals. You use these observations to plan activities, and complete termly summative assessments of children's development. These are shared with parents, so that, they can be involved

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Outcome of monitoring

in their children's learning. The information within the learning journeys demonstrates that children enjoy a range of activities across all the areas of learning and there are resources to support this. Children were observed building with blocks and playing with interactive toys. You describe how you attend other early years groups with the children to help develop their social skills. This means that, children's learning and development is promoted. Our Reference EY431790

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Outcome of monitoring

The inspector found that you have a system in place and are now using the information you gather about children's learning and development in order to review children's progress between the ages of two and three years. You are aware of the importance of sharing this with parents and providing them with a copy of the summary. This has enabled you to have a clearer understanding of each child's strengths and any areas where children's development is less than expected.

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Outcome of monitoring

You have completed safeguarding training and know and understand what you need to do in the event of a concern about a child's welfare. The inspector found that you have a clear safeguarding policy and procedure in place, and have all the relevant contact numbers available. This ensures children's safety is highly prioritised in such circumstances.

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Outcome of monitoring

A written risk assessment is completed, identifying hazards and action to take to minimise risk. This is with regard to the bare floor boards on the upstairs landing. While you wait for the renovations to the landing to be completed you make sure that all children are supervised while they use the bathroom upstairs, and that they are wearing appropriate footwear. As a result, children's safety is improved.

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Outcome of monitoring

The inspector found that when children are attending other settings you have gained permission from their parents to share relevant information about the progress they are making. You have also approached the teaching staff to arrange a time when you can talk to them about the topics and themes they are covering. It is your intention to use the information to help plan complementary activities that will enhance and promote consistency in children's learning.

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Outcome of monitoring

Having considered all the evidence, the inspector is of the opinion that the childminder has taken prompt and effective action to address the points for improvement.

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Next steps

The next step will be a full inspection.

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Next steps

I hope that you have found the visit helpful in promoting improvement in your childminding service. If you have any further queries please contact us on the number at the top of this letter.

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Next steps

Lorna Fitzjohn National Director, Childminding Our Reference EY431790

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Action Due date Closed date

improve links with local schools to ensure that children benefit from a shared understanding and common approach to support their progress in learning, for example, by ensuring information is shared about learning and development in order to ensure that individual needs are identified and met. 13/02/2014 28/04/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

improve knowledge of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage to: use observations to precisely assess children's level of achievement, interests and learning styles; use these to shape learning experiences across the seven areas of learning so that children make good progress; support parents in being involved in their child's ongoing learning and progress 13/02/2014 28/04/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

improve knowledge of the progress check at age two in order to provide parents with a summary of their child's development in the prime areas between the ages of two and three 13/02/2014 28/04/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

improve knowledge of Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures, particularly in relation to who to contact in the event of a concern, so that these procedures are consistently followed 13/02/2014 28/04/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

ensure thorough risk assessments identify all possible hazards and appropriate actions are taken to remove or minimise the risk 13/02/2014 28/04/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

have a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints which relate to the requirements of the Childcare Register and which a parent makes in writing or by email (compulsory part of Childcare Register) 13/02/2014 28/04/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

ensure that all necessary measures are taken to minimise any identified risks (compulsory part of Childcare Register) 13/02/2014 28/04/2014 Our Reference EY431790

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Action Due date Closed date

have a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints which relate to the requirements of the Childcare Register and which a parent makes in writing or by email (voluntary part of Childcare Register) 13/02/2014 28/04/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

ensure that all necessary measures are taken to minimise any identified risks (voluntary part of Childcare Register). 13/02/2014 28/04/2014

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